A quick update but also need some help

[Sus]

Join our free community today.

Connect with other like-minded dog lovers!

Login or Register

It is 8 weeks tomorrow since I have had Biddy and she has improved immensely
No more hiding in corners or cowering on her belly
She runs up to strangers now where she ran away before, she loves going out for walks and practically does a somersault when she see's her lead, she sleeps in the open now and lets me touch and pet her which was a no go at first. There has been so much more progress than I ever thought possible
However there are still a few problems and think there will be for a long time yet
She is 3.3 kgs now (vet wanted her at 3kg but I think she looks ok now) I am wondering now if I have been underfeeding her. Is 0.4kg weight loss in 8 weeks too much for a dog her size?
I had been feeding her 90gms of Harringtons wet food with 30 gms Fish4Dogs dry kibble between 2 feeds a day. She also had portion each of fresh chicken and salmon once a week, also weighed. I wondered if I was not feeding her enough for the walking she was doing.
I had been walking her 5 or 6 times a day as that is the only time she seemed happy at first, I am trying to cut this down to twice a day with Winter coming soon but worrying whether this will effect her weight. She has to have anaesthetic in a week so definitely do not want her overweight
I know you are supposed to be able to work out what is the best amount of food for your dog but I am a novice at this and she is my first dog and has to lose weight!
Another big problem is trying to socialise her with other dogs, I think she wants to make friends but is scared. She snaps, growls and bares her teeth. I have managed to get her nose to nose with a greyhound who had very patient owner, and she eventually wagged her tail around a terrier type dog.
I would love some tips on how to get her to mix with other dogs as I am probably doing a lot of things wrong and also tips on feeding, have been on dozens of sites and they, and the dog food firms all say different

 

[excuseme]

I would continue to aim for the weight that your vet has mentioned. Better that she is a lean weight than too porky

 

[JudyN]

I agree with excuseme - as long as your vet thinks she's fine, keep doing what you're doing. Once she hits 3kg, or the vet thinks she's perfect as she is, then feed as much as you need to maintain her weight and don't worry about what amounts different manufacturers recommend. After all, I bet you don't weigh your food out. Your vet will be able to have a good look at her when she goes in, so ask them how much, if any, they think she should still lose.

As for socialising with other dogs - really, she doesn't need to meet other dogs. Let her observe them from a distance where she feels comfortable, give her a few treats, and don't let them get into her space and make her afraid. Think if children who are afraid of dogs - you don't 'fix' them by taking them right up to a great big bouncy GSD, but by letting them say hello to a calm dog from a distance they feel safe, and maybe grow in confidence just with that one dog and go at their own pace. Maybe one day she'll make a friend and want to play, maybe she will always prefer to ignore other dogs. Either is fine - if you can walk her past other dogs with her calmly ignoring them, not worried but not interested, that's enough. A lot of dogs with perfectly normal upbringings and good socialisation just aren't that interested in meeting other dogs, maybe just briefly and politely acknowledging a dog they pass on a walk in the same way you would their owner.

You're doing great - well done on all the progress you've made.

 

[JoanneF]

You have had good advice above, I just wanted to chip in with something about salmon. If you feed it raw, please make sure it has been frozen for at least 48 hours first, as salmon carry a parasite that can be harmful.

If it's cooked, it's fine.

 

[Sus]

Thanks for your replies, I will carry on with what I am feeding her for now and see what the vet says next week, also will just let her do her own thing where other dogs are concerned
Have managed to take a pic of her sitting down without her belly getting in the way and she is also facing the camera which is a rarity

 

[JudyN]

She really is very cute From that photo, I'd say it wouldn't hurt her to lose a little more weight, though of course photos can be very misleading.

 

[Hemlock]

My isn't she pretty!

You have had great advice from the others, and you are doing really well.

 

[Linda March]

My dog is overweight I feed her butternut box they said she should have 472g a day but I only feed her 370g a day she is now 30kg but should be no more than 25kg .My husband and myself are late 70s early 80s so don’t like walking much anymore so the only exercise that she gets is 3 10 minute walks a day any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[JudyN]

My dog is overweight I feed her butternut box they said she should have 472g a day but I only feed her 370g a day she is now 30kg but should be no more than 25kg .My husband and myself are late 70s early 80s so don’t like walking much anymore so the only exercise that she gets is 3 10 minute walks a day any advice would be much appreciated.

@Linda, could you start your own thread in the food & diet part of the forum, please? Dog Food and Diet Otherwise we will have two dogs' needs being discussed in the same thread, which could be confusing.

 

[CoCo2014]

Have you contacted any local force free dog training clubs ?
I'm not near you, but I welcome dogs & owners who need help, it's what dog clubs should be all about. I don't mind people bringing dogs to safely watch at their safe distance the other dogs training, it's easy to reward your dog for not reacting & teaching her that being relaxed is rewarding.