Fevah Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Right, so as I've probably mentioned before I still live with my parents and my ex-partner still lives with his parents. The Min Pins stay at my place, the Koolies at his. Now, I'm tearing my hair out because ex-partner's mother feeds the Koolies and they have stacked on a bit of weight. It is really frustrating because obviously they aren't 'working' so the amount they eat does matter. They do get exercised every day and there is always an extended beach run on Friday. I HATE overweight dogs as I know it impacts their quality of life. Jicin came to us slighty underweight and would of been perfect for agility but now I wouldn't risk her and her joints. I think they are panting more frequently because of the weight. A week ago I got a whole stack of food, Bonnie weight loss control kibble, fresh meat and vegies, and some marrow bones. I left instructions that they are to be fed once a day in the morning and to alternate between fresh meat + vegies and kibble, and if they are to eat a whole marrow bone that is their feed for the day. Will definately have to watch said mother like a hawk. Oh how I wish I had my own house! Anyway, any working dog weight loss tips would be appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laffi Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I don't think working dogs are any different than other dogs in terms of weight-loss tips. You just need to feed less and exercise more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Fevah - I know how you feel. I have a constant battle with my parents and what they feed my older girl. They let her clean out dishes and stuff despite me telling them not to let her. Not a lot I can do about it and I am half resigned to her being that way. My younger girl isn't interested in food so she keeps her own weight in check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fevah Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 Ha! How I wish they weren't interested in food! Unfortunately that seems to be a side effect of desexing *mutters* God, 4 food motivated dogs. Why me, god, why? As for exercising more, I wouldn't mind doing some agility and obedience training with them. I would have to rotate the dogs or be able to go to a club which allows me to train with more than one dog a night. Ex-partner is useless I encouraged him to do agility with Tyche and she seemed to enjoy it but he got downhearted when she didn't get it right after a few goes. What a dumbass LOL - the ex-partner not the dog, obviously . I should probably start a thread in dog sports hey? Tips thus far: - Exercise more - Feed less - Get a non food motivated dog (only kidding) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 My experience with working dogs is that they are gutses but I find it easy to get weight off (once when Zoe was boarded with Diesel's breeder she came back fat! But less food and more exercise and she was trim in no time). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jigsaw Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 What about if you measured up and packaged their food for each day or wrote it down for the mother - like a diet sheet! A PIA I know but sometimes people need it spelled out for them. If their weight is possibly going to cause some stress on their joints are you able to take them swimming? Most koolies love the water and swimming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fevah Posted March 3, 2009 Author Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) Well I just rang her and needless to say I feel like screaming. She just doesn't understand. The dogs have completely manipulated her into doing everything they want her to and she doesn't even realise it! She feeds them at 6 in the morning, when ex-partner should be getting up at 8 to feed them (so she gets up early just to feed the dogs), and they have developed a taste for human food. At my house I wouldn't mind because we are generally healthy but there - nuh huh. The family is lucky enough to have good genes and they are all skinny but all the meals made there are full of fat. If meals aren't made there is takeaway. She told me she puts canned food in with the kibble because otherwise the girls wont eat it. I do not want them eating canned food. I tried to explain the NILIF mantra - that she should leave the food out until they eat it or take it away so they realise if they don't eat the food they get offered, they wont get any, but she is completely against the idea. No doubt she thinks its excessive dog cruelty. I can not believe these are the same girls I had a year ago. A year ago they would eat the food I gave them with no complaint. Now that they know that better is out there and they can manipulate her, I doubt they will be losing any weight soon. The Koolies are seriously developing attitudes and I need help ASAP. It just makes me so angry. ETA: Jigsaw we go on beach walks and they paddle in the water but I have yet to see them swimming. Edited March 3, 2009 by Fevah Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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