i searched, but was unsuccessful.

i took luc to the vet the morning after i got him (just general check) - he weighed 68lbs.

last saturday at his nail trim she weighed him - he's lost 1.9kg, so he's down to 64lbs.
....pretty soon he's going to be the small male GSD ever - am i wrong? - i have him listed as a X, but he's been viewed in person and in pics by several people who all say he's PB, so i don't think it's another breed making him small. he was brought into the shelter at a young age, and was probably neutered young, so maybe that's why? he does have big feet for his size, people always think he's a teenager or that he's a girl....poor dude.

i hadn't noticed him getting smaller, though spike's dad made a comment that he looked like he lost weight. he looks fine - the vet said his proportions are good, he could maybe gain a bit.

i've been exercising him a lot - 2-3 hrs walk/run/day, though not right now since i'm so stuffed up i can barely breathe, but as a general rule.

so - i'd like him to gain some weight, maybe back up towards 70lbs.

what is the best way to do this and have him put on muscle mass, not fat? are there any tricks?

or is it as simple as more food and back to our exercise routine? i will be getting him a better fitting backpack and so he could do some weight bearing exercise as well.

he is now fed raw, and gets meals 2X day. when i'm able to breathe and exercise him properly, i will add in a regular snack after work - i've done it a few times - does this make sense?

thanks!

edited again to add that this weight loss has taken place over 3 months.

I knew a guy who gave his anemic working dog creatine. It put the weight on him but he didn't keep it all after discontinuing the supplement. I haven't heard of anyone else doing this and I don't know how healthy it is for dogs.

Howard

Jennifer,

I read something recently about K9 Super Fuel. You can check it out here:

http://www.k9power.com/k9_super_fuel.php

I've never used it and don't know if it does what it claims. Perhaps another member has tried it?

howard, i was actually wondering about creatine or some sort of whey supplement that humans use, but i too would wonder about how they really are w/dogs.

debbie - you're right, he'll never be a 'big' GSD, while i think he was meant to be bigger than he is, i don't see him much beyond 70lbs. that i think he could do healthily and non-porkily - he was v. close to it when i got him. i have wondered if the switch to raw has made a difference - i think he's actually eating more, but completely different foods/fuels, that might be related. it doesn't help that he pees like a girl unless i let him free wander (which is pretty rare, but then he'll start leg lifting), but i hate that people don't realize he's boy. silly, i know, not like he cares, but it bothers me a bit. i always thought it was best to neuter as soon as possible, but i'm learning - along with 20,000 other things about dogs - that isn't necessarily true b/c of development and hormones.

sarah - interesting. i never understand how supplements promote 'fat burning' specifically (as it says) (my best friend is a registered dietitian, i should ask her) but yup, if anyone has tried it, i'd be interested - otherwise maybe a bit leery, though i could ask the vet next time.

His early neutering is playing a part in his looking like a teenager; his body and hormones were not allowed to fully mature. Or it could just be his genes. My guess is that he'll always look younger than his age and may not be as "beefy" as some GSD's. But, I say, as long as he is happy, healthy and behaviorally sound... he's fine. I'd still try some supplements, adjusting his diet and exercise and see what happens, but don't go too crazy about it.

Best of luck!
Luana

thanks luana. i agree, as long as he's doing well and healthy - that's the main thing. i also think you're right - nothing i do will get him to look like a 'beefy adult male' - despite his foot size, i don't think he has the bone structure.

i'm also worried he'll loose more weight. and since i do backpack with him, i do want him to be strong.

he does narrow a bit more at the hips than when i got him, i realized now - but as my vet said, proportionally he's still fine, but i have a feeling his proportions before were better (she actually told me when i got him that he shouldn't lose any weight....oops! saturday she said, 'well, he's still good, but maybe up what he's eating'. if he's going to gain more weight, i definitely want it to be muscle. right now i'd say his legs are v. strong and solid - so i guess we'll see.

i just found this thread - someone has used the K9 supplements....hmmm....also, perhaps, as long as he's exercising, and weight-bearing, extra food may do the trick.
http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/56651/page/2#Post56651

i admit i'm more towards him doing a healthy weight/muscle gain from food rather than by supplementing if possible, as i think it'll be more permanent - to howard's comment - maybe more muscle meats will help. (people already get weirded out by me in line at the grocery store....heh)

My opinion only,

Skip the supplements and feed more. KISS!

I feed my dog up to %5 of his body weight depending on the time of year and amount of exercise.

(people already get weirded out by me in line at the grocery store....heh)

People at the grocery store are always wanting to come to my big bar-be-que, when I tell them it's for my dogs their eyes cross.