[nagdu] keeping weight in check - was - Help forobese dogs:Control of Guide Dog Issue

Fri Aug 2 17:25:18 UTC 2013

I thaught I just learned that as well so I have stopped. But, I remember 
watching something about a wolf population that ate them. I've had dogs of 
all sorts that ate them and nothing appeared to happen. Besides, it would 
have benn just a couple of them. And, if they just played with them, no 
more!
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "minh ha" <minh.ha927 at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 12:32 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] keeping weight in check - was - Help forobese 
dogs:Control of Guide Dog Issue


> Grapes? ... I thought they're poisonous to dogs?
>
> On 8/2/13, Larry D. Keeler <lkeeler at comcast.net> wrote:
>> At Pilot, we were discouraged as well. If you are going to though, I use 
>> my
>>
>> own judgement. For example, not often and something that's good for them.
>> Once a month or so, I give my dogs an egg or two. I cook them without any
>> spices or anything. Carrots, grapes, or other small snacks are 
>> occassionally
>>
>> given as well. Maybe a handfull of popcorn every couple of months. But, 
>> this
>>
>> isn't often enough to cause any difficulty, I don't feel. My dogs aren't
>> obese and Holly still behaves great in public! Not that she doesn't try 
>> to
>> scrounge, but its no more often than normal and she will still stop when 
>> I
>> catch her!
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Darla Rogers" <djrogers0628 at gmail.com>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 11:00 AM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] keeping weight in check - was - Help forobese
>> dogs:Control of Guide Dog Issue
>>
>>
>>> Hi Melissa,
>>> At GDA, we were strongly discouraged from giving our dogs any people
>>> food--maybe talking more about food we would put on a plate--but I'm not
>>> doing bananas or carrots even, but that isn't saying you are wrong.
>>> In my experience, vets are so used to seeing obese dogs, they often
>>> think ours are too thin; my vet didn't say anything about the dog I
>>> discussed earlier.
>>> Darla & Huck
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of melissa R
>>> green
>>> Sent: Friday, August 02, 2013 9:16 AM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] keeping weight in check - was - Help for obese
>>> dogs:Control of Guide Dog Issue
>>>
>>> Wow, my girl gets treats and she also gets carrots and bananas as a
>>> treat.
>>> the vet says those are good things to give her.
>>> She loves the treats that she gets as well.
>>> I know I spoil her.
>>> But she is healthy and happy.
>>> That is all I care about.
>>>
>>> Blessings,
>>> Melissa Green and PJ
>>> Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot
>>> drive out hate; only love can do that.--Martin Luther King, Jr.
>>> facebook Melissa R Green
>>> twitter: melissa5674
>>> Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/melissagreen5674
>>> skype: lissa5674
>>> Goodreads Melissa Green
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Daniel" <daniel.sweeney1 at comcast.net>
>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2013 3:29 PM
>>> Subject: [nagdu] keeping weight in check - was - Help for obese
>>> dogs:Control
>>> of Guide Dog Issue
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have had Cass for a little over 7 months now. When I came home from 
>>> GDB
>>> she weighed 54lbs. When we went to the vet in May for our check-up she
>>> weighed 58lbs. The vet said she looked terrific. I was already concerned
>>> since the school bored into me the importance of keeping her at her
>>> target
>>> weight. They also told me a variance of about 3lbs either way would be
>>> acceptable.
>>> At the end of May I noticed that I had to let out the buckle on the 
>>> strap
>>>
>>> of
>>> the harness since it was too tight. It is on the last notch. When my
>>> field
>>> rep was here recently I asked her about the position of the harness - as
>>> to
>>> whether it was adequately loose/tight, being on the last notch. She said
>>> it
>>> was just right, but if Cass were to gain any more weight she would have
>>> to
>>> get another larger harness, but she would advise against that and just
>>> keep
>>> her weight where it is.
>>> I assumed she was filling out. Her chest was filling out, getting deeper
>>> with that hour glass waist (which makes me jealous).
>>> She was just shy of 2 years when I got her, and to me I felt, and so did
>>> my
>>> vet that 60lbs would not be out of the question for her as she matured 
>>> to
>>>
>>> 3
>>> years.
>>> I guess what I am saying is her harness will dictate her weight. I
>>> apparently will not get another larger harness, so I will need to
>>> maintain
>>> her weight at 56 lbs and no more than that.
>>> She receives 1 cup of food in the morning, 1 and a half in the evening 
>>> at
>>> the present time. She never gets any kind of treat, only kibble from the
>>> pouch I carry. If we work more and her harness starts to get looser, she
>>> can
>>> get more food, and the opposite if the harness tightens up.
>>> No mention was made to me that I was doing anything wrong, in fact my
>>> field
>>> rep said that Cass looked terrific too. I assume that if she had been
>>> busting out of the harness there might have been an issue. It is amazing
>>> how
>>> quickly that a lab can put weight on even without any treats or human
>>> food.
>>>
>>> Daniel and Cass
>>> Lakewood, Colorado
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie
>>> McGinnity
>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 3:42 PM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Help for obese dogsRE: Control of Guide Dog Issue
>>>
>>> Yes, I agree with you Marion.  I believe that obesity in dogs is a
>>> problem, but it would be necessary to investigate and find out whether
>>> or not it is a big enough problem to consider denying ownership.  I
>>> don't think it would be, and I do think there are other methods the
>>> school can use to help  their guide dog users keep their dog's weight
>>> under control.
>>>
>>> I also think that sometimes things happen.  People get sick, have a
>>> hard time for a while, but they get things back on track with their
>>> dogs.  Sometimes the dog can get food from a child or somewhere else,
>>> and it takes a while for the handeler to notice.  We are human; these
>>> things will happen occasionally.  I think the school should be there
>>> to help us keep our dogs on the right track.  They should support us.
>>>
>>> On 7/31/13, Ann Edie <annedie at nycap.rr.com> wrote:
>>>> Hi, Dar,
>>>>
>>>> Seeing Eye has always provided the service of finding a retirement home
>>> for
>>>> their graduate dogs if the handler wants them to do that.  The fact 
>>>> that
>>>> you
>>>> own the dog does not make any difference with regard to this service.
>>>> TSE
>>>> always has a long list of people who would like to provide a home for a
>>>> retired guide as well as those who want the young dogs who don't make
>>>> the
>>>> grade as guides.  I have also known of situations where TSE has taken a
>>>> guide dog back to the school for a few weeks or months while a handler
>>>> was
>>>> in the hospital or in poor health but where it was expected that the
>>> person
>>>> would regain function and again be able to care for and use the dog as 
>>>> a
>>>> guide.
>>>>
>>>> Best,
>>>> Ann
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of d m gina
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 11:32 AM
>>>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Help for obese dogsRE: Control of Guide Dog Issue
>>>>
>>>> Original message:
>>>>> Hello,
>>>> I remember when this happened with the gentleman who kicked his dog to
>>>> death.
>>>> At no time was it discussed on behalf of the dog being over fed and
>>>> quite
>>>> heavy.
>>>> It seems to me each time that this question is asked on behalf of
>>>> leader,
>>>> they come up with different excuses.
>>>> I know it has been said to me, where folks don't want to go back to
>>>> leader
>>>> because of the stand.
>>>> I must say for leader now that I am a diabetic, if my dog was from this
>>>> school, it would be nice to know when my health gets bad my dog would
>>>> have
>>>> a
>>>> place to go to.
>>>> I never did ask seeing eye this question.
>>>> Could I send my dog back to the school if my health gets worse.
>>>> Then the family wouldn't have to try to place the dog in a home.
>>>> My husband wouldn't know where to start.
>>>> So this is an interesting question.
>>>> Did any other school share what they would do if a problem as a health
>>>> issue
>>>> would set person be able to send dog back to school.
>>>> Dear All,
>>>>>         At our annual meeting during the guide dog training programs
>>>>> comments about the Bill of Rights, Leader asserted that the reason for
>>>>> their two-year probationary period was the prevalendce of obesity
>>>>> among guide dogs. I found this interesting, especially since Mr.
>>>>> Haneline himself told me that the two-year probationary period was the
>>>>> result of the handler who kicked his dog to death! Now I wonder which
>>>>> it really is! In any case, I questioned him about the obesity issue 
>>>>> and
>>>> was told it is really a problem.
>>>>> It would be interesting to know some statistics on this. As a
>>>>> counselor, I practice what is referred to as "Evidence Based
>>>>> Treatment" (EBT). This means that the treatment is founded on evidence
>>>>> of success, not merely the belief that it works or anecdotal
>>>>> information. I am of the opinion that, if this were really such a
>>>>> problem other training programs would observe similar issue
>>>>> (replication) and modify their practices to prevent it. Without
>>>>> evidence that it is an issue, I am unconvinced of the problem and 
>>>>> leery
>>>>> of
>>>> the its justification to deny ownership based upon a mythical problem!
>>>>
>>>>> Fraternally yours,
>>>>> Marion Gwizdala
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Deanna
>>>>> Lewis
>>>>> Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 10:00 AM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Help for obese dogsRE: Control of Guide Dog Issue
>>>>
>>>>> I do think overweight and obese dogs are more common nowadays, just
>>>>> like people! My dog has always been a big boy, and was a bit
>>>>> overweight, but now he has lost 7 pounds and looks fantastic. He looks
>>>>> great at 77 pounds. He gained his weight due to not working for a few
>>>>> weeks on and off, due to me having 8 eye surgeries in less than a
>>>>> year. But, as soon as we started to work every day, and cut his food a
>>>> bit, he slimmed down pretty quickly.
>>>>> I know this one person, who has a black lab that is severely obese. He
>>>>> is about 20-22 inches at the shoulders, and weighs at least 115. The
>>>>> poor thing gets out of breath just from walking a block or two. The
>>>>> handler goes overboard in feeding this dog. He gives him treats
>>>>> constantly and I am sure that he eats people food a lot at home. He is
>>>>> also very misbehaved.  The handler will not listen to people when they
>>>>> kindly make suggestions about the dog's weight. I know that the school
>>>>> took him away a few years back, and got some of the weight off. But,
>>>>> as soon as they came back home, he went back to his old habits. I wish
>>>>> there were something more I could do to help in this situation. Have
>>>>> any of you witnessed this type of issue. How could you help out the 
>>>>> dog
>>>> and handler?
>>>>> Deanna and Pascal
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jimmy
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 6:21 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Guide Dog Users Gwizdala
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Control of Guide Dog Issue
>>>>
>>>>> Greetings friends,
>>>>>         Hope everyone is well. I did not mean to have the topic get
>>>>> off of handlers controling their dogs and being accountable in
>>>>> pertaining to one of the dogs that was involved in my situation being
>>>>> a pit. I know many are very passionate about taht breed and feel they
>>>>> are misconceived. I have other feelings on the matter. However, I
>>>>> agree totally taht no matter what the breed the dog it- whether lab or
>>>>> shepherd- that dog can become aggressiveand if not controled or
>>>>> appropriate steps taken, can have unfortunate consequences. Here is a
>>>>> topic I am curious about your input on. This subject was brought up at
>>>>> our convention- that is the issue with obesity of our service animals.
>>>>> What arey your thoughts? This was a new issue  I was unaware of, if it
>>>>> is really an issue. Did anyone notice an over weight issue among
>>>>> service
>>>> dogs  at the convention , those who have some vision?
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
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>>>>
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>>>>> et
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> --Dar
>>>> skype: dmgina23
>>>>   FB: dmgina
>>>> www.twitter.com/dmgina
>>>> every saint has a past
>>>> every sinner has a future
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Julie McG
>>> National Association of Guide dog Users board member,  National
>>> Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
>>> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President,
>>> and Guiding Eyes for the Blind graduate 2008
>>> "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
>>> everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
>>> life."
>>> John 3:16
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
> -- 
> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
> recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity:
> but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on
> their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." T. E. Lawrence
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