Body shaming my girl

[smelcerk]

So my handling instructor told me today she thought Mia was getting fat? She is 9 months old and weighs 5lbs 1 ounce. Signed up for her first show next weekend and we are very excited but now I have to worry that the judge might think she is fat? She is certainly within the standard. I personally think my instructor is a little militant about food. She actually weighs her dogs food on a scale and subtracts the amount she uses for bait or treats throughout the day from their daily allotment. I am NOT going to do that but I also don't want to be over-treating her if it is going to make her show poorly in the ring. What are your thoughts about being too fat?

[ironmike86]

Originally Posted by smelcerk

So my handling instructor told me today she thought Mia was getting fat? She is 9 months old and weighs 5lbs 1 ounce. Signed up for her first show next weekend and we are very excited but now I have to worry that the judge might think she is fat? She is certainly within the standard. I personally think my instructor is a little militant about food. She actually weighs her dogs food on a scale and subtracts the amount she uses for bait or treats throughout the day from their daily allotment. I am NOT going to do that but I also don't want to be over-treating her if it is going to make her show poorly in the ring. What are your thoughts about being too fat?

Being over weight isn't good for Yorkies. Its easy to make them fat. Its bad for there knees plus all the other factors of being over weight. I weigh my dogs food. And put them in a container every morning. Treats are Veggies which I don't worry about. Only takes less then a minute to measure the dog food. It may take a month to figure how much they really need. No ppl food snacks like chips ect...If you are going to show. They won't do so well being fat. The hair doesn't lay right. Its all about the hair with Yorkies.

[Maximo]

I agree with Mike. We have started measuring food more carefully for my 2 boys. They have always had a measured amount for each meal, but my father was giving them so many rewards that were adding up to an extra meal each day. That put on a little extra weight.

With training rewards, it is easy to overfeed these little ones.

Also, for evaluating weight, don't rely completely on a number on a scale. You have to do a visual assessment because not all Yorkies are the same body build.

[107barney]

I have never had fat dogs. It's really bad for their health. Yes you should put the dog on a diet if you can't easily feel the ribs.

[capt_noonie]

We have always measured their food. They get 1 tablespoon 4x a day which is 1/4 cup. But they do gain weight if MIL watches them when we go on vacation. She gives them a heaping tablespoon which is more like 2 tbsp, so they get fed double. But it doesn't take long for them to go back to their normal weight once we get home.

Also treats here are veggies. Seldomly we give them store bought treats such as Zukes and they only get one each. We've had that one bag for I don't know how long. More than a year for sure.

[bjh]

Originally Posted by smelcerk

So my handling instructor told me today she thought Mia was getting fat? She is 9 months old and weighs 5lbs 1 ounce. Signed up for her first show next weekend and we are very excited but now I have to worry that the judge might think she is fat? She is certainly within the standard. I personally think my instructor is a little militant about food. She actually weighs her dogs food on a scale and subtracts the amount she uses for bait or treats throughout the day from their daily allotment. I am NOT going to do that but I also don't want to be over-treating her if it is going to make her show poorly in the ring. What are your thoughts about being too fat?

What food are you feeding her? There are treats you can feed her that won't make her fat. Mine love raw green beans. I think boiled chicken is good too. I would prefer a dog a little overweigh than one that is underweight. Perhaps your girl has a cobby body and that may make her look fatter than she is. We would love to see pictures of her. Good luck showing her and be sure to keep us updated.

[ironmike86]

I agree a little over weight is better then under. But its easy.You control it. Most dogs are way over weight...But you need to be able to feel the ribs. Some dogs I met you can't .They wooble

[smelcerk]

Thank you everyone for your responses. Hearing it from other yorkie owners helps and has made me think about what I am feeding. I am most likely over-feeding. Putting food in her bowl probably twice a day and probably 1/4 cup or more each time. Since she is a puppy and still very much being trained in all areas, she is also getting frequent treats. Wellness Well Bites for show training, Natural Balance L.I.T for being good while grooming, and boiled chicken for "good quiet". This is the main one right now as I am trying to teach her not to go psycho when I leave the house or car. I still don't see how a 5.1 lb can be considered overweight but I had a second person check her out and they felt a little fat around her ribs but said the tailbone area was good. I am going to switch to veggie treats and will consider going from free-feeding to eating twice a day. I have a lot of human food issues and have to admit I feel a little anxiety about it but believe it probably will be best for her. I will try it.

[ironmike86]

For a puppy I wouldn't worry to much...They should get as much as they want . But 1/2 cup for 5 lbs dog seems like more enough.. Plus treats. Shes still growing. But when shes older you may want to cut back a little.

[ironmike86]

The not go pycho trick is best to ignore when you leave and not acknowledge right away when you come back. If you do you are just making a party and promoting the excitement.

[bjh]

It sounds like you are doing a good job with her. What kind of exercise does your pup get? Taking her for long walks would be really good for her especially since you are going to be showing her.

[gemy]

A rough exercise guideline for puppies is 5 minutes per month of life. So at almost 10months old that is 50 minutes. you can break that down to three walks a day if you like. I like to incorporate the training into the walks I do.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by smelcerk

I still don't see how a 5.1 lb can be considered overweight but I had a second person check her out and they felt a little fat around her ribs but said the tailbone area was good.

5.1lbs is not considered overweight according to the Yorkshire Terrier standard, however each individual dog has their ideal weight. Just knowing your dogs weight without knowing the frame of your dog tells us nothing about whether or not your dog is underweight, ideal or overweight.

For example, I have a yorkie that is 8in tall and 8in long. She weighs 4.5lbs and that is an ideal weight for her frame. If she were to weigh 5.1 then she would be overweight/fat.

I used to have a yorkie that was 11in tall by 11in long. If he only weighed 5.1lbs then he would be very much underweight/skinny for his frame. He weighed 7lbs. Top of the standard so far as show but it was ideal for his frame.

I hope that makes sense. When your dog is at it's ideal body condition, weigh it and know what that number is. Then you can keep track of whether or not your dog is over or under weight for its frame.

[smelcerk]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

5.1lbs is not considered overweight according to the Yorkshire Terrier standard, however each individual dog has their ideal weight. Just knowing your dogs weight without knowing the frame of your dog tells us nothing about whether or not your dog is underweight, ideal or overweight.

For example, I have a yorkie that is 8in tall and 8in long. She weighs 4.5lbs and that is an ideal weight for her frame. If she were to weigh 5.1 then she would be overweight/fat.

I used to have a yorkie that was 11in tall by 11in long. If he only weighed 5.1lbs then he would be very much underweight/skinny for his frame. He weighed 7lbs. Top of the standard so far as show but it was ideal for his frame.

I hope that makes sense. When your dog is at it's ideal body condition, weigh it and know what that number is. Then you can keep track of whether or not your dog is over or under weight for its frame.

Thank you for this excellent advice. Makes perfect sense.

[smelcerk]

Originally Posted by bjh

It sounds like you are doing a good job with her. What kind of exercise does your pup get? Taking her for long walks would be really good for her especially since you are going to be showing her.

Oops. The ugly truth here. Not much exercise at all. We have been consumed with handling classes, grooming, obedience classes, and all the new kennel club activities. I used to walk/run three miles/day and have stopped my own personal working out not to mention Mia's. Definitely needing to get back into balance. Have become a little obsessed with this darling and one of my major goals for myself is to start incorporating some daily physical activity. Will plan on taking the girl with me.