Obese Lab

[Rosie]

And in this case, it definately was the owners to blame , they said she loved burgers and wouldnt eat proper dog food , sad x

This is actually exactly what one of our friends said about his 12-year-old daughter. (Except the dog food bit.) He was in complete denial that the child was obese. And this was despite the fact that both he and his wife were diabetic (!) and very diet-conscious. The daughter was allowed to eat nothing but pasta and sauce because "it's the only thing she likes". They were loving, devoted parents who doted on her... they just couldn't see what they were doing. It was the closest thing to child abuse I've ever personally witnessed.

Some people just can't see it. Incredibly sad.

 

[Jen]

Stanley is fine. Do you think Nathan's cousin knows more about dogs than you? Do you respect his opinion? What are his qualifications?

It’s not that as such. Just someone walking into your house and going oh my god he’s really fat, when all we get is compliments usually just wasn’t expected.

It wasn’t even in a concerned sort of way she said it

 

[Rosie]

someone walking into your house and going oh my god he’s really fat, when all we get is compliments usually just wasn’t expected.

Yeah. But it just tells you that they don't know what they're talking about. Like someone looking at a Porche convertible and saying "what a rubbish car, it doesn't even have a roof". There's no point trying to explain to them, they're just plain wrong.

 

[Lab_adore]

Maxx put on weight so quickly we didn't realise until we had a vets visit. It has been hard to get it off him but we've definitely managed to get some off him

Would you guys mind having a look at him here and letting me know how you think he is looking and approx how many more kilos he should lose? He topped out at 47.6 and we think he might be around 43 now

 

[Atemas]

It’s hard to tell without looking down on him but he looks good to me. I would get him reweighed and be guided by the vet nurses. We have had to do this with Sky at various stages during her life - regaining a waist is a good indicator and feeling their ribs. Do you weigh his food? Sticking to a daily amount and no extras is good.

 

[M.F.]

He’s so lovely! I’d suggest he could lose a few more—his tummy/waist area looks heavy. But of course you are in the best position to know because you can see him and feel him in real life! If you’re unsure, then as Atemas said, ask the vet or vet nurse to guide you. We’ve just been at the dog physio and she said Snowie can lose one or two kilos!! It’s hard to be the receiver of such news!

 

[Boogie]

Yes, I’d say he could do with having more of a tummy tuck, it needs to be clearly visible from above. We have to watch Tatze’s weight all the time. She has a third of what she used to before her spay. (I know the feeling! )

He’s gorgeous

Here’s a good graphic -

 

[snowbunny]

He does look a little plump still, yes. Well done on what you've done so far, just keep at it and the rest (maybe two or three kilos?) will come off, too

Ginny is also on a crash diet at the moment, after the vet nurse called her a gordita lifting her onto the bench. She's such a funny shape, with a very narrow rear end and a much heavier front end, and I hadn't noticed that she'd become a little sturdier recently. Her saggy mummy tummy hides a multitude of sins! J is on strict instructions not to give her any treats "because she's pretty" . She gets strokes for that instead now which, to be fair, she enjoys at least as much!

 

[HAH]

He’s a beautiful boy. I reckon he’s not far off but another 2-3 kg would be ideal. We've been doing this with Kipper who had a similar tummy shape. Still a kg or so to go with him I reckon, we’ve got a 6 month check up on Friday so will see what they think.
@snowbunny I have J’s problem and want to give Kipster treats “because he’s so beautiful” I’m working through it...

 

[Jen]

Just seen this on Facebook

 

[Loraseal]

I think you have done a great job getting Maxx's weight down. Well done! I also know that it is really hard as you also need the treats to help with training. I would say like the others that he could do with losing 2 or 3 kg. You know your Maxx and what is best for him. Do you weigh his food and reduce if he has had treats for training? My vet let's me pop by for a weigh in and a healthy snack. Is your vet close by to do that? Labradors are sneaky and will pull any cute damn face for food! He is absolutely gorgeous to watch!

 

[Anne123]

We have new neighbors in our holiday home in the woods. They will stay there for 3 or 4 month.
Yesterday I went for a walk with Finn. As I stepped out of the door he started barking and lunging without that I thought seeing something as a cat....It were the 2 labs from our neighbors. They were wandering around, without anyone to attend them. As soon I saw this I unleashed Finn, as they were unleashed and I couldn’t hold him anymore. It was me falling down or Finn running to the dogs with all his reactivity issues. They met and the neighbor excused himself. We started talking. The chocolate labs were brothers and 10 years. They were huge.....Finn fitted easily twice into those dogs. I didn’t know they were having dogs for they were out all day for work. All the time the dogs were by themselves. They don’t walk the dogs. They wander around the garden. They don’t stay in the house. They were farm raised. But so horrible the way they look. Their fur wasn’t shining, they didn’t look very healthy. Could barely walk because of the weight. I haven’t said anything, as I didn’t know how they would react. And I was wondering why and if I should speak to them as they are already 10 years old.... so said for those dogs...

 

[Beanwood]

I would have been a bit brutal and shown her a few photos. Whilst it is very tough keeping some labradors who aren't naturally slim, slim as they age, it can be done, and simply has to be done. You are literally knocking years of quality life of a dog by allowing them to get fat.
Casper is 10.5 years old, and not a "slim" labrador like for example Bramble, and he probably could do with being a shade lighter. It is really tough though, poor fella....

 

[Jacqui-S]

... so sad for those dogs...

Yup.

I have a low-hanging fruit approach.
How much effort do you put into a job, and how much do you get out of it?
If a few quiet words are taken positively and are then likely to make an impact, then yes, it's worth it.
If your helpful advice is met with a brick wall of denial and/or guilt or resentment, your neighbours never talk to you again and dump their trash in your garden (or something similar), then it is not.
It's nice to think you can fix everything and make the world a better place, but realistically, you can't.
Chip away, quiet bits of advice, work with what you can.

(sorry, you may not agree, but it's been a long week at work)

 

[Anne123]

Yup.

I have a low-hanging fruit approach.
How much effort do you put into a job, and how much do you get out of it?
If a few quiet words are taken positively and are then likely to make an impact, then yes, it's worth it.
If your helpful advice is met with a brick wall of denial and/or guilt or resentment, your neighbours never talk to you again and dump their trash in your garden (or something similar), then it is not.
It's nice to think you can fix everything and make the world a better place, but realistically, you can't.
Chip away, quiet bits of advice, work with what you can.

(sorry, you may not agree, but it's been a long week at work)

Thats the way I was thinking.