Watering your Dog in the Field

[Chris Pope]

In the off season I enjoy watching YouTube videos on hunting with bird dogs. A pet peave has developed because I frequently see dogs watered from a squeeze bottle with their head held high (see first photo.)

I think it's better to let the water trickle into their mouth while the dogs head is held low (second photo.)

High head almost always causes the dog to yak, cough and suck in air especially when the dog is real thirsty. Low head (which requires the handler to bend over) generally does not.

Perhaps others disagree. Welcome your thoughts. I realize this is not a major life or death issue but just just has me wondering.

[Harry Collins]

I cary a canteen for the beast and me. Jacke uses the cup. I drink from the canteen.

[Daryl Corona]

I've been using a collapsible bowl to water them.

[allen newell]

I always carry a bottle of water when afield with my setter. She welcomes it and appreciates it

[Garry L Gordon]

Ha! All of you guys are behind the times. I have a “Water Boy” (a.k.a. My wife Elaine). She totes the water. She’s short, so the bottle water does come out pretty low. Our young female, Prairie Rill, will only drink from the bottle—no puddles, lakes or streams. Yes, she’s a one of a kind.

[allen newell]

My wife used to go afield with me but she died of cancer some 10 yrs ago otherwise she'd be with me in the field.

[Chris Pope]

Ha! All of you guys are behind the times. I have a “Water Boy” (a.k.a. My wife Elaine). She totes the water. She’s short, so the bottle water does come out pretty low. Our young female, Prairie Rill, will only drink from the bottle—no puddles, lakes or streams. Yes, she’s a one of a kind.

Would like to meet that pup one day...

[Chris Pope]

My wife used to go afield with me but she died of cancer some 10 yrs ago otherwise she'd be with me in the field.

I can't even imagine how I could handle that. I am so sorry.

[Dean Romig]

For the sake of convenience, and the fact that we often shared the same water bottle, I usually used my hat.


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[Garry L Gordon]

My wife used to go afield with me but she died of cancer some 10 yrs ago otherwise she'd be with me in the field.

Allen, I’ll bet she still goes with you in spirit.

[Drew Hause]

For quite some time I carried a collapsible cordura pouch thingie, and a water bottle.
Dirk would drink too fast and then puke up the water.
A squirt bottle seemed to work much better and I don't recall him ever aspirating.
Note snake boots, handgun and foot on the check cord :(

https://photos.smugmug.com/Dog-Stuff/4RBRDOGs/i-GHwt33R/0/Lm63PNnSgVXzGWHdD62M8XfsV5g4PGnTX7XtNKzpz/L/IMG_1195%20%282%29-L.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Dog-Stuff/4RBRDOGs/i-GHwt33R/A)

He was pretty enthusiastic about the water bottle

https://photos.smugmug.com/Dog-Stuff/4RBRDOGs/i-Wzn4NzS/0/NZZfLgMsmtN8CsKtVRvPCLBTjFPVD62xPvvcdfdPF/L/IMG_1198-L.jpg (https://drewhause.smugmug.com/Dog-Stuff/4RBRDOGs/i-Wzn4NzS/A)

[Andrew Sacco]

I do something similar to Garry. But I straddle my setter from behind, put a bottle with a nozzle (like Portland spring water) into the pouch on the side of her mouth and while holding her head level gently squirt it in there until while she gulps. If I use a collapsible bowl it is a PIA to get level, it collapses, she steps on or I do and the water is gone. If I just let it drizzle out she looks at it like an idiot. I may try the hat thing Dean, I wonder how well my hat will hold water.

[Mike Koneski]

I've been using a collapsible bowl to water them.

Me too.

[Rick Losey]

I have bicycle bottles - and dispense it on the side at the back of the mouth. I noticed early on that giving the water straight in from the front caused occasional choking

[Tom Jay]

For 2 dogs I usually carry 3 squeeze water bottles as originally pictured. I do lower the bottle so their necks are not at 12 o'clock and squeeze the water to the side of their mouth and not directly down to avoid choking etc.

[Ira Whitten]

There are some great collapsible water bowls for dogs. I carry one in my car and bring it out in the field with water bottles. Also can just scoop water from streams and ponds.


I’m not sure if this is true for water bottle drinking but dogs are meant to eat and drink with food/water at its lowest point to prevent bloat. Elevated bowls increase the risk of bloat in dogs.

[Dean Romig]

I do something similar to Garry. But I straddle my setter from behind, put a bottle with a nozzle (like Portland spring water) into the pouch on the side of her mouth and while holding her head level gently squirt it in there until while she gulps. If I use a collapsible bowl it is a PIA to get level, it collapses, she steps on or I do and the water is gone. If I just let it drizzle out she looks at it like an idiot. I may try the hat thing Dean, I wonder how well my hat will hold water.


Andy, due to the 4 tiny vent holes in the crown some water leaks but not an appreciable amount. And for an eager thirsty dog she’ll get easily 80% of the water you pour in.
Extra bonus on a hot day your head cools off a little when you put your wet hat back on.





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[Keith Doty]

I carry a great little lined cordura folding bowl that doubles for chow in the evening. Tried a couple until I found one that stayed open without fooling with it. Dogs are all happy with it. Big fun watching a puppy with his first couple of attempts, they think it's weird!