Is My Dog the Right Weight?

This is a topic I had covered a while back, but I think it's timely to cover it again. I find more dogs these days that are overweight, than I do underweight. Part of this is due to activity level, but it's also because the dog may not have the proper diet.

So, what is the proper weight? I have attached a diagram so you can see it but here's a good guideline.

If you can see all of your dogs ribs, their hip bones and even their shoulders, they are underweight. Keep in mind, some breeds run leaner than others. For example, it's harder to keep a good layer of fat on a boxer, than it is a Husky. If your dog looks like this it could be as simple as feeding them more. But, wait, what if they eat until they are full and they still don't add enough weight. This happens all the time. Consider supplementing the dog's food with something high in protein and a little higher in fat. DO NOT USE OIL OR HOTDOGS. That's a huge no no. Hotdogs cause Pancreatitis in dogs, and it is very unpleasant. Having an underweight dog can cause a host of medical issues, such as organ problems, muscular atrophy and skeletal and structure problems. Again I don't see this often, unless the dog has been abused or in a neglected relationship.

Keep in mind, your puppies when you first get them will be a little fatter, then they will lost their weight, and then they will level out.

On the other hand, how can you tell if your dog is overweight. If you can't feel each of their ribs individually, with a moderate or heavy level of fat covering them, they are too heavy, and they need to drop weight. This is the most common thing I personally see, is dogs who are overweight.

This is a huge problem and is caused by over-eating, not enough exercise and or/poor diet. You will find most heavy dogs have lower energy, even though they have more food. Everyone, IT'S TIME TO CUT THE CRAP AND CUT THE FAT (yes, I am coining this phrase) smile emoticon)

Much like being underweight, being overweight is the cause of a lot of medical issues. It can cause heart disease, hip problems, muscular and skeletal problems. Both of these will cut years off the life of your dog.

For some, it's simple laziness by free feeding the dog. For others, it's a cheaper food and a bad diet, whether that be from a financial standpoint or the owner doesn't really know any better. Then for the rest, it's because they feel bad so they feed their dog more than they need because they don't want them to be hungry, or they simply don't know how much to feed their dog.

Dog owners. You are doing MORE harm than good by overfeeding and underfeeding your dog. Your dog does not need to have every rib visible to be the athlete you want them to be. Likewise, your dog doesn't need to be a walking blowup river tube to be happy and healthy.

Make their weight ideal, as seen in the diagram I have attached. You will find your dog is much much much happier if they are at the ideal weight. A good way to know if your dog is ideal, is if you can't necessarily see their ribs, but you can feel them each, individually, with a thin layer of fat covering them. Some of your more athletic breeds (Malinois) I keep a slightly thinner than that, where the only ribs you can see are their back two at max. But these dogs need to be in peak physical condition.

So in conclusion, let's either get our dogs better food, more food, or lets help them drop their weight if needed. I like food where the protein content at the low end is 21 percent. My first ingredient is ALWAYS meat product. Dogs are not vegetarian. Take one look at their teeth and tell me that's a vegetarian. I feed my dogs a very cost friendly food; Kirtland from Costco.

Kirtland has a high protein content (26 %), first ingredient is meat, and it's about 27 dollars for a 40 LB adult size bag. They have puppy food as well, as well as small breed. I will NEVER recommend something I don't personally believe in, and I believe in this brand of food.

I hope this helps everyone and I hope you found it worth your time to read.

Thanks all

Is My Dog Just Untrainable?

“My dog doesn't listen. I've tried and tried and tried, and my dog just doesn't get it. Is my dog stupid? Is my dog not able to learn something as simple as sit, down, or potty training?”

At one time or another, we've all likely asked ourselves this very question. “Why doesn't my dog get it?” I want you to take a moment, if you will, and think of this. Maybe it's not the dog. Maybe it's you. The owner, the trainer, the pack leader.

There is a lot of truth to how "trainable" a dog is. Certain dogs are more trainable than others. This can be based on breed, genetics, the dog’s personality, etc. Some dogs just pick up on things more quickly than others, and it may have nothing to do with your ability.

Having said that, a lot of time it's not the dog’s fault. It’s the owner/handlers fault the dog isn’t getting it.

I'm going to touch on a few sensitive topics of conversation.

I'm a dog trainer. I LOVE dogs. I've been around thousands of dogs throughout my dog training career. There has only been one dog in my entire life I haven't liked, and it was for good reason. If I come to your home or a class and I pet and interact with your dog, it's because I love them, and I love the interaction.

However, let’s pretend for a moment I'm a friend of yours, not your dog trainer. You've invited me over for a game of poker, or a movie night. I like dogs, but I don't care to have one. I knock on your door and hear your dog barking up a storm. I hear what sounds like a thunderstorm behind the door as you try to gain control.

You open the door, your hair in disarray, your face flushed, and I can hear your spouse or significant other still trying to put the dog in a back room. Your dog isn't aggressive, he's just over-friendly and likes to jump on people, or bark at them, or run around in excitement.

As your friend, I might laugh and brush it off. As your dog trainer, I'm going to tell you everything about that scenario is wrong. It's not cute or cuddly, even in small breeds. It's not okay to allow the dog to do it either. It isn't something you say "oh it's just the way my dog is" or "it's okay, it's in his breed to bark and play." It's a big word. This is UNACCEPTABLE.

But, as your dog trainer, I'm going to tell you it's not the dog’s fault. It's your fault. You have failed the dog. I know that sounds harsh, and I don't mean it to. But how can we expect a dog to act with manners and appropriately, if we aren't willing to take the time to teach them what's acceptable?

Now, I'm not saying you're a failure. I'm simply saying you have failed to teach your dog what's okay behavior. You have avoided the problem either because you don't care, you think people should understand or, most likely, you don't really know how to fix it. That's why I'm here. I fail my own dogs on a daily basis. Whether it's praising them at the wrong time, or not praising them when I should, or letting them get away with something and then being angry when they don't listen, it's my fault. I'm trying to be better and I'm trying to be the best pack leader I can for my dog.

I know this is what you want, too. I can see it in the care you show for your dogs and how badly you want to learn. It's not your fault you don't know how to teach the dog something. It's only your fault if you know how to teach them, or you know it should be fixed, and you fail to do so.

I want you to know, your dog is not stupid and neither are you. Dogs learn in different ways. They learn at different paces, and what works so well for one dog may not work the same or as well for your dog. However, with most dogs there is hope. You just have to find out what motivates your dog and use that to your advantage. Whether the motivation be to get a pat on the head, or a treat or simply to avoid getting a correction, they need to be motivated in order to do the task.

Your dog CAN be trained to be polite, and to be obedient to your command. It doesn't matter the dog, the age, the sex, the breed, or even their living conditions. You just have to be consistent with your training and simply do the best you can.

We at Maligator Kennels are here to help you with nearly every dog training need. We will never abandon you in your quest with your dog, unless you were to employ harsh or illegal measures to try and get your dog to behave a certain way. Your dog is trainable, as are you as the owner. That's why we are here. To give you quality training, for a fair price, in a personal yet professional atmosphere.

We encourage everyone, even if your dog is a master at simple obedience, to attend basic obedience or behavioral classes. My dogs go through some rigorous training and certification. However, every single week, I spend time doing some form of simple obedience, and they still don't always get it right. I would come to all the classes you can, based on your circumstances. What’s the best way to make sure the pack is healthy and the house doesn't fall? By keeping a safe, sound, well-maintained foundation.

Thanks everyone.