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

Sun Aug 4 23:47:03 UTC 2013

I don't know if this is exactly true, but I think that I heard somewhere
once that dogs will eat all that you put in front of them, even if it makes
them sick. It has something to do with their instincts and thinking that
they do not know when they will get their next meal or how much it will be.
Actually, if we think about the instincts  of a dog, it kind of explains a
lot of things.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray
Sent: Sunday, August 04, 2013 4:35 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Help for obese dogsRE: Control of Guide Dog Issue

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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