I was out the other day walking my dogs enjoying the way they were playing running as fast as their legs could carry them.
There is an absolute beauty in watching a dog stretching and flexing as it darts from place to place, as my dogs rolled into a snarling fun ball.
Then I saw in the distance what I at first thought was the Goodyear blimp on all fours.
Surprise, Surprise another fat labrador stuffed to exploding by its oh so loving owner.
Even its bark had become a heavy thing that it wasn't really sure it could be bothered to produce it.
Now those of you who have fat dogs may well be saying 'it probably has a glandular problem' 'if hes like mine hes always hungry' or 'he probably loves his treats', 'how can you possibly deny those eyes'.
What I say is that your dog is fat because you feed him too much and more than likely don't exercise him either.
People put there own need for comfort, onto the dogs, that they say are their best friends.
'oh I didn't walk him today, sorry have a biscuit' A dog by his very nature is an opportunist, if he knows that whining a bit, barking a bit or looking sad will get him food that is what he will do.
If you as his owner give him what he wants then he will get the size of a barrel and you will have to fit him with an electric whizzy walker to get around the park, is this your idea of the proud wolf? Its certainly not mine! If you want your dog to be healthy, and happy here are the golden rules.
Buy a complete diet dog food.
Make sure water is always available.
Feed your dog twice a day (once in the morning, once in the evening) Feed them the recommended amount for your breed of dog for the day.
Half in the morning, half in the afternoon.
If you want to give your dogs a treat in the day or while training take it out of their daily feed.
Take your dog for at least a 15 minute brisk walk every day.
If your dog doesn't loose weight reduce the food a little and increase the duration of your walks.
An owner that is ensuring that their dog receives what it needs, is an owner that cares about its well being.
A dog that is not overfed or under exercised will hardly ever suffer from ailments that an overfed dog suffers from over weight dogs are more at risk when having an operation, more prone to injury, and have more stress on their heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and joints.
When your dog becomes the well toned animal it should be, only then can you say that you truly love your animal.
If you don't want to follow this simple advice talk to your vet, or just pop into your local vets and speak to the receptionists they normally have a leaflet on good practice.
Dogs don't need constant attention, they just need you to be their master.