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

[Sheila Leigland]

hi marion I don't believe it should be a reason to deny ownership 
because it should be a part of the owners responsibility to make sure to 
the best of there ability to keep said dog happy and healthy. I would 
also like to see statistics that show how widespread the problem is 
before making judgment calls.
On 7/31/2013 10:49 AM, National Association of Guide Dog Users 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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