Commenting on chubby shelties

I'm super fussy about the weight of my dogs; moreso than my own. (For the record, I'm overweight, know it and doing something about it but, as we all know, it's a slow process.) When Edan is in full coat, he can look overweight from all the fluff; in reality he's a whopping 17.4 lbs, and most of that is muscle.

When it comes to other people's dogs, what I say depends on the situation I'm in. If I'm just out walking and notice someone has an overweight dog, I don't approach random stranger X and comment on their dog.

If I'm talking to someone and I'm petting their dog, I'll inquire about what they feed and how much in a polite way.

If I'm teaching an agility class and a dog is overweight or very close I'll comment to my student about maintaining a healthy weight and how important it is for their joints if they plan to continue with agility. I'll often recommend cutting back on the food on nights when they have training and supplement with their training treats.

There's a Sheltie owner in my Treibball class who's little girl is overweight, the owner commented on it herself. When I asked how much she was feeding per sitting she couldn't tell me because she wasn't using a measuring scoop, just putting "what looked right" in her bowl. I advised her to go to the dollar store, pick up a cheap set of measuring spoons and start measuring what she's feeding. Doing this, and reducing the portion to take training treats into account, has really helped her little girl.

The main thing to remember is people don't like being told their "wrong"; and they know having an overweight dog is their fault. It's better to proceed with caution and bring the subject up innocently than to hit them upside the head with a 'clue-by-four'.
 
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I think we associate food with love and when you are sitting down at a nice meal and your sheltie has just finished their 1/4 cup of dry kibble it's hard not to feel a little mean. But it's better if you spoil them with love and attention.

My hubby keeps saying we should be feeding Hanna more - I have to keep an eye on him. She just went to the vet yesterday and she's just a titch under 8 pounds ( I thought she was almost 9 by my scale - but they weighed her twice once on the doggie scale and once on the kitty scale where she weighed just a little less). The vet says she is a great size - not fat and not thin, you can just feel her ribs and see a faint indent when you look at her from above. I'll adjust her food upwards when she stops getting so many training treats.

I think it's really important to use a measuring cup when feeding, just so that if a weight issue does develop you can tell the vet exactly how much they are getting. It's far too easy to get sloppy with quantity if you free pour or use the eyeball method. Just an extra tsp/meal of kibble really adds up, and those pounds really sneak up on you. With Kali and her thyroid condition, I actually used a scale and weighed out her food and treats for the week. The other thing is that you need to feed less of the really good quality foods.
 
Silaria said:
... If I'm just out walking and notice someone has an overweight dog, I don't approach random stranger X and comment on their dog.

If I'm talking to someone and I'm petting their dog, I'll inquire about what they feed and how much in a polite way.

If I'm teaching an agility class and a dog is overweight or very close I'll comment to my student about maintaining a healthy weight and how important it is for their joints if they plan to continue with agility...
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Silaria:

These are excellent examples of the context I referred to. I am unlikely to react (up or down) to comments by "random" people. That doesn't mean that I won't give the comment some consideration (internally), only that I am not likely to respond to the unsolicited input.

If I have allowed someone access to my dog (allowed them to pet or come into contact with him), I no longer consider that "random or unsolicited"). I would respond however I felt appropriate to comments made. Caring, respectful input would be met in kind. Snide, disrespectful comments - well, you can guess what happens there.

I can't think of any comment respectfully offered by a trainer, vet or service provider that I wouldn't take to heart. These a people you pay (financially and/or with valuable time) to help you build a relationship with your companion. Even if I disagree with their input, I would be foolish not to consider their comments.
 
Calliesmom said:
I've been told more than once at agility trials that Dixie is fat.
Now, she is not super lean like Cranberry is but she's not fat either.
They eat the same food- Cran gets 1/2 cup twice a day and Dix gets 1/4 cup twice a day. they get about the same amount of treats for training.
Dixie was spayed before a year and Cran wasn't neutered until 13 months.
both have had their thyroid tests and both are normal.
I did ask the vet about their weights and he said that she was fine and that if Cranberry weren't a performance dog that he would be too skinny......

but no one will ever say that Cran is underweight and he should be fed more.....
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Sca would in hopes there was cookies in it for him

Dixie is like Spitfire a fluffball so it makes her look heavier, although Spitfire is still dieting as he got a bit to 'fluffy' :lol:
 
My experience with a morbidly obese sheltie

This thread is the perfect place to share my story.

About two months ago I adopted a sable sheltie from a older couple who loved the dog but were not able to provide the care he needed. He was a farm dog that was kept tied to a rope, lived in the woodshed, and fed twice as much as he should have been. He was 53 pounds and 17 inches tall--morbidly obese.

The previous owner only knew to start putting him on a diet AND to start looking for a better home because of a comment from a groomer and her neighbour. Although I'm sure she was hurt and embarrassed to hear the comments, I believe they must have saved his life.

When I got the dog, he was down to 45 lbs. Now he is 35 lbs. We still have at least 10 more pounds to go. He has arthritis at four years old and skin conditions. The first time he tried to play with my other sheltie, he vomited due to overexertion. But now he can play, run, jump (kind of), and enjoy life.

In extreme cases, it's definitely worth the risk of offending a stranger if it means they MIGHT listen and do what's right.

Here's some pics of my boys:
Pongo: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100671588697871.1073741825.21000856&type=1&l=d6c1387c36

Doodle: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100227205011341.2482143.21000856&type=1&l=5d78007a67
 
Tough one!

I run into this all the time at the store, and with my groomer and teaching her how to be more tactful (big issues with matted dogs!).

As many have mentioned, many owners already know and are taking steps already. To have someone point it out makes the owner feel defensive and ignorant. For example, this winter Indy turned into a porker! Don't know how it happened exactly ( but I think it was the salmon oil). If someone who was not in the business was to point it out to me, yeah, I would feel intruded upon and probably would not kindly to it.

People can accept it from those in the business because they believe them to be qualified to have an opinion. But to hear it from someone at the dog park. No!

The way we address it at the store is to start a conversation about their dog. Asking general questions overall about any concerns they have, etc. if they have the dog with them it's easy to get the conversation to weight and most people bring it up themselves. Sometimes it's as simple as saying "Hi Gorgeous! What a Big Handsome Boy!"

If the dog is not there, but they mention they have a 35 pound Sheltie, you can direct the conversation without saying the dog might be fat. REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE DOG. It could be a 18 incher!

In either scenario, you ask. "Are you happy with his condition overall.? Is their something you'd like to see better?

That's the opening. That usually gets them talking. Then you can bring up the weight.

So my final answer: Yes I would find a way to steer the conversation to weight if at my store. And yes, I would also try on a dog park visit but only if the owner gave me vibes that she was open to a discussion about her dog.

And if I had a close friend with a fat dog, yeah I would mention it. Carefully! I do like to keep my friends!
 
Spotty bi-blacks

I'd love to see pics of your bi-black, Jess. I absolutely LOVE my Doodle's spotted socks. Everyone thinks he's a border collie because of the bi-black colouring. Sigh! He's from Miquelon Kennel in Saskatchewan.
 
Interesting discussion. I don't like to see grossly overweight dogs either but wouldn't pass comment on a 'stranger's' dog without knowing the histoy.

This question could be asked in a much wider context as being overweight is not the only welfare issue you could be concerned about.

I wonder if you suspected illness (e.g kennel cough) or neglect would you be more or less inclined to speak up? Equally if you witnessed some kind of physical abuse (dog being beaten etc) would you say something?


Sometimes the person living with the dog all the time may not notice a gradual change (in weight/health/standards of general care) or may be unaware that something is potentially serious. It can be much more evident to someone who doesn't see the dog reguarly that something is admiss. But it can be very difficult raising the subject if the owner is one of your friends or family and they feel you are being critical as this can spoil relationships.
Suppose you notice an elderly neighbour's dog needs it's nails trimming and is becomming overweight and matted. If you say something then the owner may feel you are inferring they cannot cope, they could be frightened you may get the dog taken away. Equally they may not have realised anything was wrong or it could even be they are grateful for someone taking the trouble to realise they are having difficulties.

My dogs are kept quite lean, especially Epic who is the smallest and lightest. If he was being shown I would certainly want more condition on him and I will probably try and get a little more weight on over the winter. I wouldn't be at all offended if one of my friends commented that he was a bit underweight but might bristle if a stranger in the street told me my dog was too thin. I think it is all about how the message is delivered. If it is done in a constructive manner as people have suggested then hopefully the majority of recipients will take it in the spirit it is meant. But marching up to someone and telling them their dog is fat is unlikely to benefit much.
 
I have been told out at the market and in the classes we took that Chauncey is overweight. I have to say I haven't been told nicely but more a sneer and I know it all kind of rudeness. I took Chauncey to the vet when we got him, the first night before evening coming home we went to a groomer first. I asked what she thought his condition was like, told he is fine. Went to the vet did all the shots, full check up, flea meds, tick collar the works, and bought a maintance health policy. I specifically asked about his nutrition and health. She recommended some bone hide thing for his teeth which we bought. The vet said he was fine in weight. She told me it was all fluff, and flattened his hair down told me he was normal weight. I wanted to do right by him and I have changed groomers till I felt he was safe and in good knowledgeable and safe hands. I put him in a kennel that had an acreage fenced in no cages, but in a womans home, who suppose to have cooked for the dogs. All for a 3 day trip which I rushed home early to because I didn't like being away from him. I always do what I think is the best for him. I come here to other sheltie people as these dogs are not like every other dog and they have special needs on somethings and are a bit sensitive in nature. I feel I get a broad spectrum to judge what works and what doesn't for him on this board.
I DO HATE IT when a stranger instead of saying hello, may I meet your dog or some friendly conversation started wants to make comments as if I am a moron or a bad pet owner. We were out a couple weeks ago at our reg sat market where he gets homemade dog bakery treats from a lady who has a stall there, we also visit another vendor who also had a bowl and pours bottle water for him. We always have water with us but she likes dogs and pampers any who visit. It was hot as always , I live in Florida so it is a given, Lady and her husband pass us but had to say in a bitchy manner saying loud enough for me to hear, "I cant believe she has that dog out in this heat". Our market visit in the car is Chauncey and I time alone without poppa or the cats. We drive to the market about 8 blocks away, we park in same spot most every week, we visit the same 4 vendors, veggies, dog bakery, plant man, and the man who plays the guitar and he has sung a dog name blue and such when we sit on the bench in the shade to listen. Our entire time from home to market and back home may be at the very most 1 hour. It is a very small market. He also has his favorite bathroom spot he has to mark as well. I am a responsible pet owner, or at least I work at being one. I dont appreciate rude comments and opinions if I don't ask you. You don't know me or my dog, and it hurts my feelings when comments are made in passing from total strangers that are negative and unfounded. My animals have a better life then sadly some children do.
No one cared in class if a dog peed on someones feet or slobbered enough to warrant a mop, but my dogs butt wiggles when he walks, he is fat and it is a concern. I know about heart problems, diabetes, joint pains etc in animals and I want to have him as long as I can with me, I intend to keep him well.
 
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