woody's weight

[caring canine]

I posted a couple of photos of Woody in the gallery. They are not the best photos but if anyone can give me some guidance on Woody's weight, I would be grateful.

He is 19months, currently stands approx. 25"at the shoulders and is a solid boy though, I feel he could do with some toning.

His weight was perfect up until May this year when he had an allergic reaction to cortisone and blew up like a watermelon on sticks.

All suggestions accepted 

[Spectrum]

I can see the top view, but I don't see the side view anywhere.

From the top view, it looks to me like he can stand to lose some weight. Here's a body condition chart to help you out a bit:

http://vet.osu.edu/vmc/body-condition-scoring-chart

By that chart, I'd put Woody at at least a 4, just judging by the top view.

Remember that what the dog food bag says and what the dog actually needs usually aren't the same. For example, Gavroche's food bag says he needs 2 1/2 to 3 cups a day. In reality, he gets 1 to 1 1/3 cups a day and maintains his weight. Also, feed for ideal weight, not what his weight is now.

[Roxie]

Ask NIa!  She's the head honcho on getting a dog to lose weight slow and consistent! She has doe wonders with her dog!  There was a thread on it a while back.... maybe helpful to review some of the posts there. I can't remember what the name of it is!

Roxie

[caring canine]

thanks Spectrum
Looking at that chart I would agree, probably a four.

The side view photo, such as it is, is the first one in the album. I will try to take another, at a better angle

I haven't got a food bag handy but it is Purina Supercoat Large breed - protein 20%/Fat 10%. From memory it says 5 - 6 cups per day 

Woody gets 1 1/2 cups (2 cups if Charlie is not focusing, though I try to watch this) twice a day, with the evening adjusted to accommodate extra treats during training.

And before you say cut out one meal, Woody takes my fingers if too hungry.

[caring canine]

thanks Roxie. I'll go hunting for that too!

all input is good 

[Nianhel]

http://servicedogcentral.org/forum/index.php/topic,9417.0.html
There ya go lol

And we're doin good! We've gone from 100 to 85 pounds over the last 3 months.

[Rovingrebel]

Dear Caring,
with some dogs the key lies not in cutting the amount fed, but in  increasing the activity they have to do to get their daily calories. Some ways to do this are:
-Make them work through out the day for their food what ever is left in the pockets/ pouch at the end of the day they can have at dinner time.
- Feed them use a dog food puzzle like a buster cube, kong, tug jug

[robbertbobbert]

Dear Caring,
with some dogs the key lies not in cutting the amount fed, but in  increasing the activity they have to do to get their daily calories. Some ways to do this are:
-Make them work through out the day for their food what ever is left in the pockets/ pouch at the end of the day they can have at dinner time.
- Feed them use a dog food puzzle like a buster cube, kong, tug jug

Elliot has always been on the slim to underweight side (i can NOT get this boy to gain weight) but he has always, always, always had to earn his food. He always gets the full amount, but he has to work for it. It's made him so much more respectful and attentive.

[caring canine]

  Thank you everybody!

Going by this info, I am going to increase Woody's activity (should be easier now we are going into warmer weather),  include more vegies in his diet and make him work harder for everything he gets.

Now if anyone has any suggestions on how to motivate the 10year "accountable" for this dog, I would be eternally grateful. 

[robbertbobbert]

I was like "WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, WARMER WEATHER!??! IT'S 29 HERE!!" then I realized you're in Australia... lucky.

[Rovingrebel]

motivating a 10 yr old... ummm what are his current currencies i.e. things he find rewarding?

[caring canine]

motivating a 10 yr old... ummm what are his current currencies i.e. things he find rewarding?

reading or playing video/computer games would be his favorite pastimes, anything that takes him away from reality   

I have tried "earning" time for preferred activities with limited success, he watches the clock closely so his dog gets feed on time, training sessions/grooming after school usually require only a verbal prompt but extra-curricular activities involve much angst.

[Rovingrebel]

hmmm, I can understand the need to escape the overwhelming world.. what if there were a time for just he and his dog to escape together. I have a book called beyond fetch chocked full of fun games to play with your dog that gets dog and owner going.

[caring canine]

hmmm, I can understand the need to escape the overwhelming world.. what if there were a time for just he and his dog to escape together. I have a book called beyond fetch chocked full of fun games to play with your dog that gets dog and owner going.

ooh, thankyou. I just looked it up in Amazon. looks like the kind of thing he might find fun.
It does make me smile to see him sitting on the floor reading his dog a book 

I should have added that whilst I am the 'instigator', Charlie happily plays with Woody and the dog will follow the boy anywhere.
I suppose I am trying to build on the bond they already have in a more active way.

And yes, I too can understand wanting to escape. 

[Rovingrebel]

Here's another game your son and his dog might enjoy Do you Mind: You, your friends, your family, and your dog will have so much fun with this exciting new game! Roll the pawprint die, pick a matching card, and try to get your dog to perform the indicated activity before time runs out. The doggie and owner with the highest number of points wins! Perfect for training. Comes with die, 60 activity cards, timer, score pad, and pencil.
http://store.clickertraining.com/doyoumigafor.html