Have to blame someone, but yes, my pack has taught me a lesson I should have learn with more than a half century here on earth.

I have been playing with the food of my dogs, in the name of keeping their shape and weight at an ideal place. So as I look, I very much was about to starve my puppies. What a shame on my dogs? OK me.

So then I overreacted, went the other way, what a pickle my dogs has found themselves in. I had I serious talk with them.

I sat them down an informed them that most of the time, things are not as they seems at first glance, so if they just cool out and don't over eat ( overreact ) and just slow down, they will notice that their stress to overeat will get lower.

After all we all just about want the same things. Happiness and Peace, but sometimes they are cover up in emotions oh, I was talking about my dogs, or maybe about me. Well in these times that a lot is going on we just get too complicated.

Now just as feeding my dogs correctly, it is work, and practice and more practice. To get it right.

Well, if I am going to get any flack about this, I take everything moment by moment, then I breath and enjoy the moment, by golly, my pups are doing just fine. So I don't think I will get work up about things I really can't change. Dan

Dan, are you trying to transition your dogs to a raw diet and having trouble figuring out how much they should be getting or are you discussing kibble?

Hey Barbara, I have been using raw from the start, but one day, I just look up and saw my female was a bit fat, so I just cut down on her portion some.

I used that occasion to relate to many things that happens in our life, specially in mines, and how I have overreacted in situations.

I don't know If I could let some see that overreacting is a normal reaction when we get hurt, but maybe no one here has been there. No disrespect to any. If I need to keep my day job (smile). Someone tell me to stay out of the commentary arena.

Love Dan

Hey Barbara, Dan loves you

yes, I am childish.

Don't be too hard on yourself, Dan. I have found myself in a similar situation. Last summer/fall, I transitioned my dogs from a kibble diet to a homemade diet. About six months later, I realized they both had lost too much weight. I've upped the amounts fed and one is back to where I want her, and the other probably has five more pounds to gain.

The problem with large dogs is that it's not so easy to weigh them. The only time mine get weighed is at the vet's, and it had been six months or so between vet visits. I guess because I was seeing them each and every day, I just wasn't noticing the difference (until it was great enough to be noticeable).

Anyway, I've learned from my vet that I can take them in anytime just to use the scale. I'm willing to bet most vets would allow that for regular clients.

Just wanted to say you're not alone. Things like that happen despite our best intentions. And as far as putting weight on or taking it off our dogs, they're always going to make us feel bad about the taking it off part.

Samantha and Cheri, thanks for your response,

One thing I really learn was trying to make my female as big as my 98lbs male, even thou Chico is skinny. I tried to feed her until she got big ( I am the knuckelhead )

But really family, life is what it is, most of the time we only can change ourself, Dan

You can tell if you dog is too fat or too skinny by feeling their ribs. If you can just feel the ribs..weight is good...if you feel too much flesh over the ribs..to fat. You should also see a VERY defined 'waist' when looking from overhead.

Idealy, in working dogs, you would want to be able to SEE the last couple of ribs. Most pet owners would think this is too skinny, but it is not in a working dog. The physical demands are higher on a dog that is working hard & too much weight makes these dogs even more predisposed to injury. They are more akin to highly conditioned athletes then dogs. They have a greater muscle to fat ratio & have a much faster matabolism. You don't see even slightly overweight athletes that are in training condition.

Working dogs can apply to SchH, ring sport, sled dogs etc, etc. These dogs tend to work alot harder then even the very active pet & tend to burn more calories when in training. And generally are 'training' every day. And very hard at least a couple of times a week.

You should take a good look at your dogs every week & reasses weight & food needs. You need to keep a much closer check on weights on working dogs as it can be easier for them to drop weight more quickly. Often feeding a more of a balancing act with them keeping them on target for weight.

If you are looking to put weight on a dog...I would add a meal rather then to increase existing meal sizes. To maintain a dog that tends to burn up calories more quickly..I would add a LITTLE more food with each meal. This is bases on feeding 2x a day.

 Quote: SamanthaTopper

Hey Barbara, Dan loves you

yes, I am childish.

Dan knows I love him too... I love many of my LB friends, as only friends on the net can understand. It isn't the same affection we have for family members and close friends, but it is a tie none-the-less, and I'd do most anything for some members on this forum... even those with whom I have the occassional spat.

ETA: I can't add more than has already been given in regard to advice /support other than to say if there is ever a question as to if you are doing the right thing or not, we are always here to help!!

Barbara, I showed that post to the wife, after I really read it on the second go around.

Everyone, could be childish, at anytime they wish, but no need to follow specially if you don't play childish games.

Wow! I have posted more on this day, than in the last nine months or so. Dan

LB is the first dog forum I've ben to where people can take a joke and not get their panties in a twist. Thank you, Ed, for creating it!