Guest hankodie Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Congrats Steph M on your new addition! She is so cute I bet Gus is happy to have a buddy. I just came back from an outing with Hank and a woman commented that he seems very skinny. I told her I was trying to keep him lean on purpose due to the joint issues that goldies are prone to. Then she said "yeah but he looks like you don't feed him enough" and now I'm worried. I brought up the breeder sheet and he does seem to be a little under what the average is around this time of puppyhood for males. We also went for his 16 week vacc yesterday and they didn't mention anything about his weight but only the nurse administered his shot and not the vet so I didn't get a chance to speak to him about it. The only issue he had was the roundworms I posted about a while ago but after regular worming they seem to have gone away. Should I bring him to the vet again or am I just being silly? It's really hard to tell with him too because he acts like he's starving ALL the time! There's a thin layer of fat over his ribs but I can still feel them and see a faint outline of them through his fur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 He sounds pretty healthy to me, and dogs all gain and lose weight differently. Maybe shoot an update email off to your breeder and ask how on track he is, I bet it's fine. I worry Gus doesn't weigh enough sometimes but he's a happy, healthy (mostly) and well built dog so I have to tell myself the age old 'weight is just a number etc etc' haha. Plus Hank's probably expended a lot of energy kicking the butt of his KK. Go Hank! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 I'd be trusting your own judgement over that of a random stranger. If you're worried, up his food a little bit for a week or two (maybe 1/8 to 1/4 cup), and see what you think? You can always drop it back down again later. I've read a lot on here about feeding guidelines on packs being excessive, but I've stuck pretty closely to what was recommended and I think Nixon looks about right. I think I probably need to start dropping it down a little, but the pack suggested that at this age too, so it's been fairly accurate so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Thanks Steph & aliwake. I wonder if she was just used to seeing fat retrievers? I've been keeping the breeder updated with photos, last one I sent was 2 weeks ago and she said he looked to be in perfect condition. But I might just double check again with her. I'm worried I'm overdoing it with trying to keep him lean, he's my first large breed dog so I do tend to stress about his diet/joints Steph Gus looks so healthy and the perfect weight in that photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Koolie, Whippet and JR. I don't see much JR but apparently that featured highly in her brother's DNA test, which I know are often a crock but I'd be interested to see it anyway. She doesn't strike me as much Koolie other than her colouring, but I don't know much about Koolies. She's only 11kg so maybe that's the JR influence? Haha. Some Koolies are very finely built, she looks Koolie to me :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Koolie, Whippet and JR. I don't see much JR but apparently that featured highly in her brother's DNA test, which I know are often a crock but I'd be interested to see it anyway. She doesn't strike me as much Koolie other than her colouring, but I don't know much about Koolies. She's only 11kg so maybe that's the JR influence? Haha. Some Koolies are very finely built, she looks Koolie to me :) I don't know a lot about Koolies, I've always admired them from afar, they seem like lovely dogs! Any handy hints, Kavik? :p We're much more active already! Hahaha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Thanks Steph & aliwake. I wonder if she was just used to seeing fat retrievers? I've been keeping the breeder updated with photos, last one I sent was 2 weeks ago and she said he looked to be in perfect condition. But I might just double check again with her. I'm worried I'm overdoing it with trying to keep him lean, he's my first large breed dog so I do tend to stress about his diet/joints Steph Gus looks so healthy and the perfect weight in that photo. I agree, but he's sort of stalled at just over 20kg, so actually gone down a kilo or two, but he's never looked porky. It's hard to gauge but I think Hank will be fine too! He looks lovely in your photo updates! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Koolie, Whippet and JR. I don't see much JR but apparently that featured highly in her brother's DNA test, which I know are often a crock but I'd be interested to see it anyway. She doesn't strike me as much Koolie other than her colouring, but I don't know much about Koolies. She's only 11kg so maybe that's the JR influence? Haha. Some Koolies are very finely built, she looks Koolie to me :) I don't know a lot about Koolies, I've always admired them from afar, they seem like lovely dogs! Any handy hints, Kavik? :p We're much more active already! Hahaha. Being working dogs like Kelpies, they are active and smart, and very trainable. You will have lots of fun :) I like trick training to keep them busy, and also a lot of tricks are actually very useful for agility as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Fabulous! I'll find what she likes to do yet! Trick training is a good hint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dory the Doted One Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Willows nickname is Giraffe Girl at the moment. She's very leggy and super modelesque. You can feel her ribs, and faintly, oh so faintly see the last rib. She has a massive tuck up so she looks skinny. But she's not. She's just right. But between her long legs and tuck up. I wouldn't mind betting to some she looks unfed. Trust me, I'm throwing food at her, but she seems to be on a super model diet too. . (Unless it's chicken wings, turkey necks or bull chews LOL) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zereuloh Posted September 26, 2013 Share Posted September 26, 2013 Koolie, Whippet and JR. I don't see much JR but apparently that featured highly in her brother's DNA test, which I know are often a crock but I'd be interested to see it anyway. She doesn't strike me as much Koolie other than her colouring, but I don't know much about Koolies. She's only 11kg so maybe that's the JR influence? Haha. Some Koolies are very finely built, she looks Koolie to me :) I don't know a lot about Koolies, I've always admired them from afar, they seem like lovely dogs! Any handy hints, Kavik? :p We're much more active already! Hahaha. Being working dogs like Kelpies, they are active and smart, and very trainable. You will have lots of fun :) I like trick training to keep them busy, and also a lot of tricks are actually very useful for agility as well. Agility for sure! Koolies are buckets of fun, my parents had one for many years when I was growing up and she was an awesome dog. Fantastic worker, and a great family dog too. There is one in our puppy class at dog school as well and she is just lovely. Very very active! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Yes, we certainly don't miss any opportunities for a run now! (they run, not me ) Lucky when she's been out she settles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 Well, we had two more negative milestones yesterday: Our first (rather nasty) anonymous barking letter.... We were out for less than 2 hours, and gave him a bone when we left, so someone has a rather short fuse I suspect. Any of our immediate neighbours would have talked to me, or at least talked to Nixon to calm him down, so I'm guessing someone from the street behind. The second, was our first birdur, which I suspect was the cause of the barking. I don't think he's fast enough to get one on his own, so I think it may have flown into a window or something... I've always asked my neighbours fairly often about nuisance barking, and they've said he's good most of the time, so I'm hoping it was an extraordinary circumstance! Getting the letter was a real kick in the guts though - I was shaking for hours after getting it. Will probably call the council tomorrow to pre-empt any complaints Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 28, 2013 Share Posted September 28, 2013 I would, and perhaps set up an audio recording system or something so you can keep a record for yourself to cover your bum. Maybe worth taking him to meet the neighbours and leaving your number with them if they hear anything? It sucks. With the two dogs playing in the yard they tend to bark when they get going of a day and I worry a little, nothing so far though. Touch wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Well, we had two more negative milestones yesterday: Our first (rather nasty) anonymous barking letter.... We were out for less than 2 hours, and gave him a bone when we left, so someone has a rather short fuse I suspect. Any of our immediate neighbours would have talked to me, or at least talked to Nixon to calm him down, so I'm guessing someone from the street behind. check with your neighbours first. Would not be a short fuse if he barked for most of the 2 hrs you were gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hankodie Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whippytails Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I love seeing everyone's pics. Hopefully in the new year I will be able to join you all. Best of luck for your show next weekend Lisa and Nova. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliwake Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 Well, we had two more negative milestones yesterday: Our first (rather nasty) anonymous barking letter.... We were out for less than 2 hours, and gave him a bone when we left, so someone has a rather short fuse I suspect. Any of our immediate neighbours would have talked to me, or at least talked to Nixon to calm him down, so I'm guessing someone from the street behind. check with your neighbours first. Would not be a short fuse if he barked for most of the 2 hrs you were gone. I've already spoken to all my immediate neighbours, but I knew it wouldn't be them. They'd all be more likely to just talk to him and tell him to be quiet. My next door neighbour just came over to reassure me again - her mother has been home all day every day for the last week for school holidays and wanted her to tell me she never hears Nixon, and he's the quietest dog in the neighbourhood. Was really kind or her to be concerned for us! I truly think it was an exceptional circumstance that got him quite distressed (ie the bird). Normally when he sees birds he chases them, but doesn't bark, but I can imagine he'd be pretty outraged if one knocked itself out in the yard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted September 29, 2013 Share Posted September 29, 2013 I love seeing everyone's pics. Hopefully in the new year I will be able to join you all. Best of luck for your show next weekend Lisa and Nova. Thank you Whippy :) I'm going to look at the Friday show before class and buy some stuff we will need at the stalls :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 I posted this in the photos thread but thought I might share it here too, just for a laugh. We were having a lovely lazy morning yesterday and I hopped up to make some cups of tea and came back to this… I suspect somehow that the critters were not the instigators here. Something tells me… (Brooke knows I posted this, btw. And aside from threats to embarrass me just as badly, doesn’t mind. Haha) And a big highfive to a few friends on facebook who sent me messages saying ‘WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A WHIPPET X AND CATS? THEY WILL GET KILLED!’ So far she shows no interest in them really, they’re just part of the furniture, albeit a sharp part if you get too close… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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