[nagdu] my fun and some what dangerous night FrF

[Garry and Joy Relton]

Sean,

I would recommend that you consult your vet about the proper numbers of cups
of food. I have now had three labs. I made the mistake with my first one, of
following the directions for feeding on the food bag. My lab was shortly a
good ten pounds heavier and my vet told me how much to feed and the same cut
back directions as Linda did. My sixty-two pound lab currently eats 1 cup in
the morning and one in the evening. Otherwise she receives a mil bone in the
evening and occasional dog treats. She maintains her weight quite nicely. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of lindagwizdak at peoplepc.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 7:55 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] my fun and some what dangerous night FrF


Hi Sean,
Hey, that's great about your new dog, Franklin.  I had to chuckle at that - 
my boyfriend's name is Franklin! (grin!)

Your dog should only need to eat three cups of premium food - like IAMS - 
per day.  Feed him two cups for breakfast and one for supper.  Make sure he 
gets enough exercise each day.

About Franklin's "turning up his nose" at the cut back food:  Offer the 
amount and give it to him.  He turns up his nose, take up the food and then 
offer it again at supper.  He will soon realize that turning up his nose 
gets him an empty stomach.

When you are cutting back on the food, take away a half cup each day for a 
week.  Then take away the next half cup.  A dog his size should only need 3 
cups a day.  If he acts really hungry and he is a very active dog, then he 
may need four cups a day - two in the morning and two at night.

This is how I've fed my dogs and they maintain a good weight.

You may not know this about Labs.  Labs are always gaining weight and seem 
to gain weight by LOOKING at food!  I wondered about this trait.  I finally 
found it in a Labrador book and this is what they said:   Labs are bred for 
high energy work plunging into cold water after birds shot down by a hunter.

They do this every day during hunting season.  It is in their genetic make 
up to keep a layer of fat - to protect from the icy water.  This is just how

they are. Many Labs just eat and eat and lie around like a couch potato.  In

this case, they'll put on weight like there's no tomorrow!

Did they tell you how to tell if your dog is getting too porky at the 
school?  Look down on him from above and you shoould see his waist curve in 
and then out again for the hips.  You should be able to feel his ribs a bit 
when you gently press your hands on his sides.  If you see no waist nor feel

any ribs - he's too fat.

Keeping your working dog at a good weight will help him to stay healthy and 
work longer.  Obese dogs have the same problems as obese people - diabetes, 
heart and breathing problems, and joint problems.

I had Landon at the vet yesterday because he was sick from snarfing 
something off the street. The vet was amazed that Landon still weighs 72lbs.

He weighed a little over 71lbs when I came home from Seeing Eye last 
November 2007.  She commented that either Landon was sick or I took very 
good care of his weight!  She has several guide dog patients who are very 
overweight!  I know some of them - the owners are the same way!  I told her 
that some of these people feed their dogs too much and get very little 
exercise.  Several guide dog users I know would rather use paratransit than 
walk and take the regular busses - where they would both get the exercise 
they need to stay healthy.  Before I get dumped on, I'm not referring to 
those who CANNOT walk due to health issues!  I have arthritis and I still 
walk.  I think I do as well as I do is BECAUSE I walk! (grin!)

Anyway, HTH.

Regards,

Linda and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sean Moore" <ginsenshi at mchsi.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2009 1:19 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] my fun and some what dangerous night FrF


> Name: Franklin
> Breed: Black Labrador
> School: Southeastern Guide Dogs
> Weight: between 80-81 pouds
>
> and yet his weight was 75.5 when we left school. I need to cut back on 
> his
> food. Though he complains at me when I try. He just look at me and doesn't

> ate any of his food.
>
> Any idea on to cut back on his food and get him to eat?
>
> He gets 3 in the morning, At 7 and evening, at 5
>
>
>
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