Feed the Darn Dogs!!!!! - Page 2

Thanx for website Abhay...

How many people do you think that just feed their dogs less thinking that makes the dog look like an athlete.  The article on the site talks about training at different levels, different time lengths, using weights, and so on.  How many people do that vers just feeding less.....I appreciate all the comments....believe me I love a well condtioned GSD.....As tariners, breeders etc.. we need to be carefull about telling new people that their dog is over weight and leaving it at that.  People always assume overweight means toooo much food........

Xeus, everything you say is right on target.  It takes a lot of time and energy to condition a dog.  Many don't realize that often times a dog who is in a conditioning program will need more calories and feed, yet will be sculpted much like a human bodybuilder.  What one feeds, and When one feeds comes into play. Post Workout nutrition is of ultimate importance to a hard working dog.

 A Conditioner must consider every detail. Great care should be given regarding the turf the dog will be worked on.  A torn or injured pad will bring a program to a halt. Many use pad toughners.  I go the opposite. I massage the pads with Petroleum Jelly after every workout along with the all important post workout full body massage.  Always knead toward the heart. The Petroleum Jelly keeps the pads soft and supple and free of cracks.

 While the dog is working, constant praise should be given.  The bonding that occurs between a dog and his or her conditioner during a training program is immeasurable. 

This is the ideal weight for my female and because she works hard and is always on the go I try to keep her not only at this weight but also in excellent condition. I have had people on this board and other places say she is too skinny but for the work and her health IMO she is in excellent  condition. My vet also says he rarely sees any dog in great shape and the right weight.

People don't understand that keeping your dog at the right weight and in condition is best for the dog and even better for their joints. I too love my dog but instead of giving her junk food or treats all the time and letting her lay around the house all day I work her, excercise her and will always throw the ball 20-30 times a day. My dog will choose her ball over food.

Sorry to say but most people just put their dog in a yard and that is all the excercise they get ,what do you expect if this is done on a daily basis.

Denise

It is hard to tell by a photo, but can you feel every bone in her spine, can you feel the two hipp bones on her back?    People that say their dogs are athletes...Do you keep your dog in that shape all year round....

How many athletes would their be if the HANDLER had to be in the same shape as the dog HAHAHA lol.. Just an attempt at a joke..Thanx

Abhay,
Great article. Thanks for posting.

Xeus, in the end you have to be happy with the way your dog looks and feels.  The rib thing drives me nuts cause not all dogs will show ribs. I think this can be misleading to SEE RIBS. Not all dogs have the same coats and will be far less likely to show ribs. I don't believe there is a simple formula that fits all dogs. Hieght does not equal wieght either. The frame, bone, muscle, ( which wieghs more then fat ) length of dog all wiegh into the equation. 

Look at people.  You can't assign wieght to a dog based on hieght without seeing the overall dogs structure. I like to look at the parents if they are working dogs and see what they top out at in good condition. I think if a dog looks SKINNY then it probably is. If it looks unhealthy then it probably is. If the coat is nice and the dog looks ready to go for working or sport then it probably is. I want a dog with maximum strength and not just for one thing. I don't want a Grey Hound wieght just  cause it makes him faster. thanks

How many athletes would their be if the HANDLER had to be in the same shape as the dog HAHAHA lol.. Just an attempt at a joke..Thanx

Well,  about choking to death on my slimfast LOL

I would have to say not too many .

Everybody loves rules of thumb, but they are just guesses, in the end.

Weight and ribs tell you almost NOTHING.

Weight tells you how much the dog is eating relative to its exercise level, but you can eat a little, exercise a little more, be skinny and out of shape.  Or you can exercise a lot and eat a little more than you need and be a little heavy and still be in great shape.

Your dog is in shape if he can run 5+ miles at a 7 minute per mile pace on a 50 degree F day and then do an OB routine., including jumps. If he can't do this, he's out of shape -- too fat or too skinny.  Doesn't matter.  Just out of shape.  If he can do this, he's in fine shape -- and tell anyone who tells you he is too fat or too skinny to get lost.

If he can do a SchH routine at high speed and at the end of protection his chest is not heaving in and out, he's also just fine -- skinny, fat, who cares?

Some dogs are skinny and weak and out of shape (and sorrowful -- because they don't even get to enjoy eating).

Some dogs appear thick but they are well muscled with a strong heat and musculature from lots of healthy exercise fueled by lots of high quality food. 

All athletes -- human and canine -- need much MORE food than non-athletes.  They also need much MORE exercise. 

If you love your dog, feed him a lot and exercise him enough to build a healthy heart and lungs and burn off those calories, keeping body fat down and muscle mass up.

Never let anyone tell you that a skinny dog is a healthy dog.  He may just be deprived of healthy food and exercise.

Denise's point about conditioning is critical -- brava, Denise!

By the way, I happen to know that Trafalgar, who is very private and modest, was one of the top gsd OB people in the NE about 15 years ago, and he can still outrun not only you but your dog, too.

Conditioning dogs should not require that handlers be athletes, but it sure helps.

My dogs run and hike at least 5 miles at least a few times a week.  This lets them eat happily and stay in shape.

Good thread Zeus?   SO many in the gsd world are not tuned in to the weight or proper weight for a gsd in work or sport level or the back yard gsd.....many a person has come to my home and the first thing out of their mouth is   why are your dogs so skinny....?   I laugh and say  you call that skinny  and I show them a pic of an import off our database that does look anarexia and explain how to feed and keep a gsd....some dont like my ideas but they havent raised healthy dogs...

I exercise every male and female into the wee hours of the night and they eat the raw meat diet with some kibble and are a healthy specimen to the breed..

There are those that take it to the extremes......so thin that they do look unhealthy.....I do not think even green tripe would pull lthem tthru a trial....most top dogs on the podium have a little meat on their bones.....an in the air when they fly thru a catch  you can see the ribs but the body has muscle.....bones without muscle are unhealthy and will not last very long in life hard trenches....they may make the Sch 1 , 2,3, but I would not think they will fare long with no body fat at all....

It is so common in our country to see many over weight german shepherds , because owners dont know how to feed or keep them in shape....and you ask them   "DId not your breeder tell you what and how to feed your  pup when you bought it..?"   No , they didnt even give us a list of what food to feed// We are feeding pedigree    Is that OK?

I die three deaths every weekend at Petsmart,,,I go to get my things, and spend 2 hours , with one of my pups , to show,  them ,what slim is,,,,explaining how to read a bag and what is good and what is bad....

Whose fault is this in our country??????