Normally people gauge their dog’s fitness by their waistline and ribs. I do it by using Mr. N as a dumbbell. Not really but I do pick him up multiple times a day and I felt a difference.
I asked the significant other if he thought Mr. N had gained any weight and he replied in the negative. I still thought something was off so I took Mr. N to the vet and had him weighed. The vet tech told me that he was borderline fit/slightly fat and he should lose half a pound or so. Which means that he should probably lose another half pound on top of that to reach sport dog weight.
It’s a hard balance between leaving enough body fat so that he has a reserve for when he gets sick and keeping him slightly underweight for health and sport purposes.
I blame the weather. We’ve still been going on walks everyday but it’s so hot and humid that our walks have been shorter (Portland broke a heat record!). I cut back his food slightly and I’ve tried to up his exercise. So far he has lost three ounces in about two weeks. His next grooming should also help. I weighed him once after a grooming and he was a third pound lighter!
I taught him during our shaping exercises how to weigh himself. So now when he sees me pulling out the scale, he will go sit on it.
He made a new friend today and the two of them spent a half hour wrestling. I wonder how many calories were burned during wrestling.
September 13, 2013 6:30 am
Oh my gosh! I gained 5-6 lbs without my sapiens knowing over the past month! Little did they know, their father was sneaking me 5-8 treats this whole time! They found out the secret and put a stop to it. Now my sapiens are taking me to go running quite a lot. Go FitDog Friday.
September 14, 2013 1:06 am
That is a lot of extra treats! How far do your sapiens take you running? Do you run on grass?
September 13, 2013 1:56 pm
Mr. N – you are just pretty adorable. I know men don't like to be called adorable, but you stepping up on the scale is adorable. Great wrestling match – that burns a ton of calories, so good for you – start on that weight loss immediately! THanks for dropping by the Hop.
September 14, 2013 1:08 am
Someone told me that Mr. N looks too pretty to be a boy! So you're in good company. I'm looking forward to cooler weather so we can resume our longer walks.
September 13, 2013 4:12 pm
Mr. N – just remember that heart-elevating movement is your friend and helps to burn calories and slice into weight gain!!
September 14, 2013 1:10 am
Lots of cardio in his future.
September 14, 2013 4:11 am
Aww poor Mr.N he is gaining the good old hibernation fat XD. Kirby could make him loose half a pound in a day,by just jumping all over him and getting him going 🙂
September 14, 2013 6:55 pm
I bet the two of them would have a ball.