feel like a failure

C

coopersmom

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I feel like a failure as a sheltie mom sometimes. My Randy is overweight and I just can't get the weight off. I've posted here before and you all have given me good ideas and advice but still he's not lost any weight. He also seems bored with his life right now. He's not obese but his weight is up enough that with the onset of summer the excess weight is already having a negative effect on his exercise/walks, etc. If he won't walk but once a day and can't play but about 10 minutes a day due to heat, I don't think we'll ever lose the weight. I am thinking about trying to teach him to walk on our treadmill (people treadmill). I am going to start tonight to replace 1/2 of his evening meal with canned green beans.

Thanks for listening.

Kim & Randy
 
Don't take it so hard, you are trying and that's what makes for a good sheltie parent.

Have you had his thyroid tested? That can make them sluggish, senile, and overweight.

My shelties prefer frozen green beans...do not thaw, give to them as a frozen treat.
 
Don't feel like a failure. It takes some time to get the right combination to take the weight off. It took me a while with Deska.

The best product i used was the stuff called Vets All Natural weight loss formula that I mixed it with mince. It was mainly oats and dried vegies and needed to be soaked over night. It is Australian but perhaps they have a similar product there?

I also found cutting out the kibble helped a lot. Perhaps try weight management canned food for a while - you can feed them more with heaps less calories because of the moisture. Mind you the poo will be a little sloppier.

And finally in summer mine do not get breakfast - instead they get a lean bone to chew on. Takes the edge of the hunger without the calories. Maybe replace one entire meal with the beans.
 
The girls are right...don't be so hard on yourself! You are trying, and that is what counts. See, I have the exact opposite problem. Caliber won't eat at all. He sometimes goes two days without eating! And even tho I offer him food, he refuses!

Just keep trying, and eventually, like stated below, you will find the right "formula" and I'm sure you'll see some progress in no time! :yes: In the meantime, keep that head up high, and good luck to you!
 
Do you have a pool? Works wonders for my overweight puppers. ls is there a puppy day care place nearby? They usually have special playtime for puppies to lose a few pounds.
 
You're not a failure! You're just in the middle of a tough weight reduction project. Yep, frozen green beans can really work wonders! :yes:
 
You are certainly not a failure! If anything, you are the opposite because you are concerned and you are trying to take action - and being proactive in searching other solutions. I often think as parents of either fur kids or human kids, we take on too much guilt and everything becomes our fault! (Too many "if only I had done xyz....)

As Granite said, consider getting his thyroid checked. It certainly points to it - especially the lethargy. Its very treatable, fortunately.

Good luck!
 
I have a sheltie that was over weight. All he wanted to do was sleep. I was only feeding him 1.5 cup of food a day and he went from 25 lbs to 34 it seemed like overnight. The vet did blood work and put him on thyroid meds for hypo -thyroidism and he is about 30 lbs now. He also is more playful and is very active on walks. I Dont think you are a bad parent. Good luck!
 
Don't degrade yourself !!

coopersmom said:
I feel like a failure as a sheltie mom sometimes. My Randy is overweight and I just can't get the weight off. I've posted here before and you all have given me good ideas and advice but still he's not lost any weight. He also seems bored with his life right now. He's not obese but his weight is up enough that with the onset of summer the excess weight is already having a negative effect on his exercise/walks, etc. If he won't walk but once a day and can't play but about 10 minutes a day due to heat, I don't think we'll ever lose the weight. I am thinking about trying to teach him to walk on our treadmill (people treadmill). I am going to start tonight to replace 1/2 of his evening meal with canned green beans.

Thanks for listening.

Kim & Randy
Click to expand...

You are wonderful caring parents of a loving Sheltie. All you can do is try your darnest and keep up the activity as much as you can. Chances are it's a Thyroid problem. Have it checked out and ease up on yourself and just love and enjoy your faithful companion.:wink2:
 
coopersmom said:
I feel like a failure as a sheltie mom sometimes. My Randy is overweight and I just can't get the weight off.
Thanks for listening.

Kim & Randy
Click to expand...


Kim--I agree with those that posted, get a thyroid test. What are you feeding him now? If raw food is not an option, I'd switch him to grain free. It works with my dogs in keeping their weight down, I have found that my shelties gain more weight when carbs are involved. Are you doing any training with him? If you teach him to target you can move his target down a hall and get some great exercise using veggies or cheerios as treats. Good luck!
 
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