Fat, wheezing slobbery dog?

Question

My girlfriend's parents have a fat, disobedient labrador. Its only goal in life seems to be to get as much food in as it can.

On walks, It somehow manages to find discarded burgers and sandwiches, and because its so hefty, my girlfriend/her mum can't pull the thing away in time.

Coupled with this, it can't be stroked without its stinking wet tongue slobbering all over your arms. It also wheezes when it gets excited.

What can be done to control this fat B*stard dog?

Colin: I am not likely to mistreat a dog because I am not likely to own one and have no desire to do so.

The worst I have done is call it a fat bastard.

Everyone seems to think I'm some sort of evil dog-hater/mistreater. i was after some practical advic, thanks to those who have offered it.

Thanks also to those who have suggested ditching my girlfriend, a novel solution. (ever heard the phrase: "throwing the baby out with the bath water?"

Answer 1

Hopefully your girlfriends parents are aware of the problems. If not there's not much you can do. If they are looking for help with the furry drool machine then here's a few tips.

Put a muzzle on it when you take it for walks! That will stop the scrap food eating. And basically more exercise and less food.

Some basic training will help. Once it learns "No" you will be able to stop it slobbering on you and with a bit of basic obedience it will make walking him more fun rather then a chore!

As for the wheezing, it could be related to the weight issue but I'd be taking it to the vet for a check up and getting the wheezing checked out.

Answer 2

Honestly it's not the dog's fault it is overweight and wheezing.
That is the owners fault.
They allowed the dog to get overweight and they aren't helping the problem by letting him pick up all the junk off the ground when they walk him.

They need a reality check. Fat dogs aren't healthy and they don't live a long time.
They need to control the amount of food and treats they give the dog and NO table scraps.
Also the dog needs obedience classes so that it doesn't pull when on leash.

Honestly dogs slobber, there is nothing you can do. Some really drool a lot.
If you don't like the dog don't go near it.

Answer 3

You and/or your girlfriend need to confront her parents. Dogs are not intended to be obese at all. No one is, however, dogs aren't especially, because they are NOT humans. If he is twice or even less than twice the weight he should be, he has less than 10 years to live. If you tell and show them the statistics of that (his vet could possibly help) than that might scare them into change.

They need to control his food intake. Split the food amount (usually it's about a cup a day, depending on weight and age) in half and feed the dog 2 times a day. Once in the morning, once at night. Food QUALITY is also a big difference. I'm betting he's on Purina or Iams or crap like that. They need to switch him to a healthy diet, like Innova which has proper amounts of REAL meat, vegetables, fruit, and you can get Innova EVO which has NO GRAINS which will also help this poor boy out.

Labradors need a lot of exercise and work to do; that's what they love. Therefore, you need to continue to walk him. Get a harness, I prefer sensible, or Gentle Lead which pulls from the chest and stops completely, no matter what the weight or strength of the dog is. It's a great find. Anyways, when he tries to pull, pull back and make him sit and stay. Reward him with a small treat when he does what you want. Another good thing to teach him is "Leave it" and "Drop it" and of course give him plenty of praise if he does what you want. Repetition is a very good thing, and he will understand in time what you want.

Also, get him into an activity. They love swimming, and it's GREAT on joints and muscles, and even just one minute of it burns a lot of calories for him. Retrieving is another love of a Lab, and he will have loads of fun.

Taking him to classes as well as getting him better with the leash and commands will help you dramatically.

Answer 4

This fat bastard dog as you call it, suffers from a common affliction that a lot of dogs suffer from. It is called idiotowneritis and it seems to be taking over the country!!
Dogs with this affliction will display all the symptoms you just mentioned, plus a lot more. Some will think they are human, some will think they can do whatever they want as if they have options when it comes to listening. There is no real cure as of yet, but, scientists and some trainers are working on it. Good luck and stay away from them, the affliction is contagious!!

Answer 5

sounds as if this dog may have serious health problems if it is wheezing and should be taken to a vet asap it should also be put on a low fat diet and have its exercise increased which most good vets will be able to advise on. has for it being disobedient there is no such thing as a disobedient dog just bad handlers. if your girlfriends parents cant take it to classes how about your girlfriend and you taking it as for stealing food all labs are dustbins and if they cant control its in take then it should wear a muzzle until it learns not all food is edible in and out of the house
tracey

Answer 6

What you really need is a new girlfriend.

If you have an issue over her and her family spoiling the dog - then imagine what kind of issues you will have later over other, more important things like money, faith, child-rearing domestic roles, etc.

So, even though you may care deeply for this nice young lady, I would urge you to continue looking - search for someone who shares your ideas about pet care.

I think you'll both be happier.

Answer 7

You dont like dogs do you?

First of all obedience comes from training......or in your girlfriends parents case.......lack of.

Secondly, They're bread to sniff out game. Labradors are inquisitive, the like to know whats going on. Show me a labrador who wont eat whats infront of them and I'll show you a lier.

Thirdly, Slobbery tongue?!?! Get used to it.



No offence but my gut feeling is that you are the sort of person who would mistreat a dog for the simplist of reasons

Answer 8

I would pay for a vet appt, and make the whole family go. This is very unhealthy for the dog and it will shorten its life span. If they really care about this poor dog they will listen to the vet and get this poor guy on the road to a healthy life.

Answer 9

I think the dog sounds wonderful. Why don't you just stay away from it if you don't like it?

I think we may have a dog or two with that "idiotowneritis" disease Greekman is talking about. I had a golden that was exactly like the lab except that she didn't pull on the lead.

Answer 10

Nothing can be done if the owners don't want it done. They seem fine with the dog and it's their dog not yours.