Things you don't get
- Thread starter Laurelin
- Start date
I don't get why people get so personally offended if someone says that their dog is overweight. You asked for a critique of your dog on a forum, and I responded that the dog should lose 25 pounds AT LEAST. A 150lb German Shepherd is HIGHLY UNLIKELY, on top of the fact that your dog is a sausage with no neck on spindly little legs. No, he's not big boned. He is fat. And that does not equate to me calling you fat. The dog. Is. Fat.
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I just left working in an animal hospital because of my move, and now that I'm not there I realize how bad it was. I was so sick of it. And the doctor that I worked for just gave right in to the owners. So I would go in there planning on telling the owners to back the hell off on the food for their 130 pound lab, but then the doctor would come in and brush it off like, ohhhh he's fine. Kills me, eeeeeeevery time.
Brutal. Obesity is my number one pet peeve as a vet. Teeth are number two. I mean seriously... how can people think that is ok? Your dog's teeth are black and falling out. Your Mastiff is 250 lbs. that is NOT right.
I've offended a few people who think their dog is fine when the dog actually borders on obese.
I do sometimes wonder if I take it a little far the other way since I have such slim dogs. And I also wonder if I underestimate how hard it is to keep a dog at an ideal weight. It's so easy. But maybe it's just my dogs. I feed them a set amount of kibble but can honestly saw I don't even think about the cookies and training. Sure if I saw them gaining weight I would but it's just so simple for me. Makes me wonder how hard it can possibly be. Lol. But I may be blessed with dogs with fast metabolisms so I try to be understanding of "but we have been trying to get him to lose weight, it just doesn't work". Did your dog open the cupboard himself? No, you did and gave him that cookie.
I've offended a few people who think their dog is fine when the dog actually borders on obese.
I do sometimes wonder if I take it a little far the other way since I have such slim dogs. And I also wonder if I underestimate how hard it is to keep a dog at an ideal weight. It's so easy. But maybe it's just my dogs. I feed them a set amount of kibble but can honestly saw I don't even think about the cookies and training. Sure if I saw them gaining weight I would but it's just so simple for me. Makes me wonder how hard it can possibly be. Lol. But I may be blessed with dogs with fast metabolisms so I try to be understanding of "but we have been trying to get him to lose weight, it just doesn't work". Did your dog open the cupboard himself? No, you did and gave him that cookie.
Our family dog was FAT. and I mean FAT. (we fed him ceasar dog food, the little square ones) and no vet or tech ever told us, so we assumed he was fine.
You know who probably saved that dogs life and helped him live much longer than he would have? HIS GROOMER.
Who finally had the balls to sit us down and say "look, I'm not saying you guys don't love him... but he is over-weight. Try feeding him this or this or this kind of food, and this much..and he will be much better for it. The extra weight is bad for his joints and just bad"
we fed him less, we fed him better.. and VOILA. Our dog is still alive today.
so props to the pet people who do say something to owners (in a nice way!) because sometimes they really don't know!
You know who probably saved that dogs life and helped him live much longer than he would have? HIS GROOMER.
Who finally had the balls to sit us down and say "look, I'm not saying you guys don't love him... but he is over-weight. Try feeding him this or this or this kind of food, and this much..and he will be much better for it. The extra weight is bad for his joints and just bad"
we fed him less, we fed him better.. and VOILA. Our dog is still alive today.
so props to the pet people who do say something to owners (in a nice way!) because sometimes they really don't know!
Thankfully in my current job, we all have the same definition of ideal body condition. Unfortunately, at school, we don't agree. I have to consciously think about it. I lost points because I marked a dog 2.5/5 and my instructor only took 1.5-2/5. She was ribby but well muscled!
Gabby's weight loss is plateauing currently, but we'll get there!
Gabby's weight loss is plateauing currently, but we'll get there!
that i live and work in one of the puppymill capitals of the us and it is loudly protested and recognized... but people still go there to buy dogs. because need cheap puppy NOW NOW NOW.
that people will not go to the shelter because an adult dog won't bond with you.
that people will ooh and ahh and be all over my pit bull, then act completely betrayed and like i put them in grave danger when they ask what breed of dog she is and i answer.
and the obesity thing. she won't eat all of her dogfood so i have to put special things in it. maybe she's not eating because she's NOT FREAKING HUNGRY anymore. also, obesity being justified despite the health problems it can cause because "quality over quantity". what??
that people will not go to the shelter because an adult dog won't bond with you.
that people will ooh and ahh and be all over my pit bull, then act completely betrayed and like i put them in grave danger when they ask what breed of dog she is and i answer.
and the obesity thing. she won't eat all of her dogfood so i have to put special things in it. maybe she's not eating because she's NOT FREAKING HUNGRY anymore. also, obesity being justified despite the health problems it can cause because "quality over quantity". what??
When I lived in Florida, people all the time would see a husky or a malamute, and sort of wrinkle their noses and go "I can't believe someone would have one of those here, it is WAY TOO HOT for them!". I just don't get it. I mean...I get it...but I don't really consider temperature a factor in selecting a dog breed.
I'm one of those people lol to be honest.
Especially when I lived in Miami, it's heartbreaking seeing huskies and such having all this energy and wanting to play but overheating at the park and panting on the sidelines. The coated ones are miserable and shaved ones are miserable and sunburned.
I mean, of course, people make it work (pools, ice, etc..). Not saying these dogs are miserable all the time...it's just really not their element. and they have SO MUCH ENERGY that so many came into our local vet with heat stroke and such.
Temperature/climate is totally something I consider when getting a dog, especially if I lived in a place with extreme temps.
I think less so for less active breeds (like I could see a whippet living somewhere really cold, I mean yea it would be cold but it could play indoors etc..)...but for dogs like huskies, they've gotta get out and run and when it's 95 degrees outside.... it's kind of hard for them.
and especially for those people who went out and bought them as pups...WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU THINK A HUSKY IS A GOOD IDEA? YOU LIVE IN MIAMI! WHY?
Especially when I lived in Miami, it's heartbreaking seeing huskies and such having all this energy and wanting to play but overheating at the park and panting on the sidelines. The coated ones are miserable and shaved ones are miserable and sunburned.
I mean, of course, people make it work (pools, ice, etc..). Not saying these dogs are miserable all the time...it's just really not their element. and they have SO MUCH ENERGY that so many came into our local vet with heat stroke and such.
Temperature/climate is totally something I consider when getting a dog, especially if I lived in a place with extreme temps.
I think less so for less active breeds (like I could see a whippet living somewhere really cold, I mean yea it would be cold but it could play indoors etc..)...but for dogs like huskies, they've gotta get out and run and when it's 95 degrees outside.... it's kind of hard for them.
and especially for those people who went out and bought them as pups...WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU THINK A HUSKY IS A GOOD IDEA? YOU LIVE IN MIAMI! WHY?