[nagdu] Help for obese dogsRE: Control of Guide Dog Issue

[Cindy Ray]

I may be misremembering this, but one part I know is true. TSE did state before when I was in training that they see a high incidence of obese dogs. I think they began handing out a cup for people to take home so they could get an idea of the amount to feed their dogs, and the students may have an opportunity to practice this feeding thing. They said they observed people were  using things like soup cans to measure up food. So I may be misremembering that. Obesity among dogs isn't so different from that in people. People believe that the happy dog is an over stuffed dog just as they often believe that a happy person is an over stuffed one. They think because the dogs will still snarf down food that means they are hungry. Show me a lab who doesn't just eat if it's there, and I'll show you a Lab that is under the weather. Anyway, TSE was dealing with the problem not by not allowing ownership but, rather, by  teaching correct feeding methods.

CL

On Jul 31, 2013, at 11:49 AM, "National Association of Guide Dog Users" <blind411 at verizon.net> wrote:

> 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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