As the UK shooting season gets underway, August is the time to make sure your working dog is ready for the demands of the field.

For many gundog owners, August marks the point where months of training start to become more real. The grouse season opened on 12th August, with other game seasons following in September and October, so working dogs will soon be moving from training and preparation into more regular days in the field.

But being ready for the season isn’t just about whether your dog can retrieve, hunt or follow a whistle.

Fitness, routine, nutrition and recovery all matter too.

1. Don’t go from training to full days overnight

It’s easy to get carried away when the season arrives.

After months of lighter activity, suddenly asking a dog to work for several hours can be a big jump in workload. Building fitness gradually and continuing to mix exercise with training can help your dog adjust to the demands of working in the field.

Recent gundog guidance has also highlighted the value of combining fitness work with the type of activity a dog will actually perform when working, rather than relying on repetitive exercise alone.

The aim isn’t simply to have a dog that can run for longer. It’s to have one that can work, concentrate and recover well.

2. Keep an eye on their condition

Your dog’s body condition can tell you a lot.

As activity increases, their energy requirements may change. A dog doing a few short training sessions each week isn’t necessarily going to have the same nutritional needs as one spending long days working in the field.

That doesn’t mean simply putting more food in the bowl.

Watch their weight, condition, energy levels and recovery, and adjust their feeding routine according to how much work they’re actually doing.

Squires & Beaumont’s Field Dog & Game range is designed around different activity levels, with options including Regular, Regular Plus and Keepers Choice.

3. Don’t forget the water

It sounds obvious, but it’s one of those things that’s easy to overlook when you’re focused on the day ahead.

Your dog should have access to fresh water throughout the day, particularly when they’re working hard or conditions are warm.

And August can still bring some very warm days in the UK.

If temperatures are high, think carefully about when and how long your dog is working, rather than assuming they need to keep going because they’re keen.

4. Keep training part of the routine

The start of the season doesn’t mean training stops.

In fact, working days can be a useful opportunity to reinforce the behaviours you’ve already spent months developing.

Recall.
Steadiness.
Whistle commands.
Retrieving.
Working alongside other dogs.

Short, consistent reinforcement can help keep those skills sharp without turning every outing into a formal training session.

5. Recovery matters too

It’s tempting to focus on the work and forget what happens afterwards.

But rest is just as important as exercise when your dog is working regularly.

After a long day, give them time to settle, rest and recover. Keep an eye out for anything unusual, such as changes in their movement, enthusiasm, appetite or behaviour.

If something doesn’t seem right, don’t simply put it down to a hard day’s work. Speak to your vet if you’re concerned.

6. Remember that every dog is different

There’s no single routine that works for every working dog.

A young spaniel preparing for its first season will have different needs from an experienced Labrador that’s been working for years. Breed, age, fitness, workload and individual health all play a part.

The best approach is to pay attention to your own dog rather than comparing them with the dog next to you.

Ready for the season?

The start of the shooting season is something many working dog owners look forward to all year.

But a good season isn’t just about how well your dog performs in the field. It’s about keeping them fit, well-fed, motivated and happy to work.

Take the time to get the basics right now, and you’ll give your dog the best chance of enjoying the season alongside you.

And when the shooting season gets underway, don’t forget that the work you’ve put in during the quieter months is what makes those days in the field possible.