Fergie's on a diet!!!

[Sonia]

by NicolaT » Mon Mar 1st, 2010 10:48 pm
I am stressing a bit really. What should I do then, I don't want a runny bot after I spent so much time moaning about it in the early days I just need someone to tell me but not the vet.

I just told one of my friends that she is on a diet and she can't believe it which cheered me up a bit. I just feel a bit down about it although I don't feel I have done too much wrong.

Sounds as if you are doing everything right Nicola, from what I remember if Fergie needs to loose some weight then it is not very much, but you have identified a small issue and are trying to do something about it in a sensible way, a way that's best for Fergie. That's fantastic

[Joan]

No harm in giving extra veggies if that is what you want to do.

[Lisa Coull]

This explains it Nicola http://www.nwk9.com/twosqueakies.htm - really it's a way of building drive & motivation so dogs are keen to retrieve, but if she will play with a ball you can really get them running and using up some energy

If it doesn't make sense I'll try and explain it a bit better - in a panic at the moment because I'm finishing writing my Victorians assembly

[Sonia]

Hi Nicola

How is Fergie getting on with her diet?

[Barbara M]

Hey Nicola

We've found with Louie that reducing treats, titbits etc worked reasonably well - and measuring out his kibble at the beginning of the day (which since you feed ND you probably won't need to do). this way I take his training treats out of his allowance and add in things like carrot to liven it up. OH is a chef so we sometimes get bits of venison and duck etc - I just take the skin off the duck now and instructed OH not to bring home delicious French sauages (Louie loves them but so fatty!!). The other thing that has really helped with Louie is a bit of pavement pounding - I think it was Lisa and Gummybear who suggested this as a way of getting some condition on ...Louie finds it quite hard work - harder than running after his ball - so 20 minutes most days does help ( a 'normal' dog would probably need more - Louie only has three legs). Louie had 2 dreadful bouts of colitis just before Xmas and lost 3 kilos in a week - but I wouldn't reccommend this as a way forward

How is Fergie doing anyway?

[NicolaT]

Hi thanks for asking. Fergie is doing well, we are back at the vet on Monday for her check-up so I'll et her weighed again just to see if we have made a start in the right direction. I have cut back on treats and titbits and cut out a lick of my tea cup totally, that was her favourite. I have also gone completely over to ND and stopped kibble, I am controlling portions with a diet sheet I have made up for the course of the week, also using some veg, pilchards and sardines. Her excercise has been increased I walk and her for longer during the day also with my friend and her more energetic weim (aged 8!!!) and I have also been walking to meet the boys from school when I can which is most days so it will be doing me the world of good too.

I will update on Monday xxx

[Lisa Coull]

Great stuff Nicola - yep I forgot to mention the pavement pounding, thanks Barbara A brisk power walk is excellent for them and us - in fact I need to get back out doing more of that and maybe a diet sheet would be good for me too. I was a bit shockd that I weighed 11 stone the other day

[NicolaT]

I have also discovered Fergie hs a preference to the type of ball I am throwing!! We went to a big park today, my family and my friends family, so all in all 2 ladies, 2 men/children, 4 boys aged 2x7, 6 & 4 and 2 weims!!! What a fab day we had......anyway I had a big oversized tennis ball for fergie on a rope which I normally throw but we lost it today or rather it was pinched while we were talking to a couple with a lovely doberman on the way round the walk we found a bouncy rubber ball (tennis ball size) which she went mad for, she dropped it a few times allowing it to roll into the pond and then having to 'dip' her nose in to get it back, then it went one roll too far and she ended up flapping about in the water and the ball 'went out to sea' I will invest in some of these tomorrow though.

Lisa I thought the same about the diet sheet, I am all cocerned about Fergies weight when I should take notice of my own more closely!!!!!

[NicolaT]

Well things are going in the right direction we went to the vet today for a check up on her toe (needs another course of anti-b's as it still has a crust and the vet wants make sure all the infection is gone) but on a brighter note Fergie has lost 1kg this week I am so pleased with her and myself and it's a good feeling to know it's working. Super trim dog here soon!!! Today we have walked with my 2 friends and one weim and a ridgeback, Fergie and Wilf (RB) are sooooo in love, we went back to my friends house for a cuppa and the two of them danced around and showed each other loads of affection, it was so sweet Ellie the other weim is too much of a lady she sat very regal like and watched the 2 young-uns playing around wish I had photos, we're meeting again tomorrow so will try and get some then x

[Lisa Coull]

Well done Fergie Hope her foot is starting to improve Nicola.

[mandieb]

WOW.. sounds like a plan

Well done for the weight loss on Fergie... tbh, we haven't had this problem YET - as Monty has always been up and down with his weight depending on his 'illness' at the time. He shouldn't go over 35kgs and he is back up to that now after the back end of last year nearly losing 5 kgs. He runs alot more with Lotte.. she has been a fab tonic for him, as he can be quite conservative with him running - whereas Lotte, I don't think she will ever be fat and I struggle to keep weight on her. I am sure she is part lurcher/greyhoud and very lonnnnnnnnnng to

I was a bit shocked the other day as I took the woofs for their boosters, the chavs have both (since being with my girls ) put on nearly 2kg each so I have instructed their dad to take charge of meals times and lessen the food immediately, and upping the excercise and no treats. The chavs when here were getting more excercise as they were often out with the weims, and I can't believe in a few months how much they have put on.

You are going in the right direction with Fergie and if you keep it up, she will lose the weight in no time

[NicolaT]

This week Fergie willhave lost weight cause her legs will be shorter she's walked so much. Back for another check up and weigh in on Monday so I'll be cross if she's not shifted some more. Because I have been walking with human company our walks have been more varied and I think I am becoming quite addicted which is no bad thing for Fergie or me!!!! Will update on Monday morning, fingers crossed x

[Joan]

Well done, hope she's lost some more this week.

[NicolaT]

Fergie has lost another half kg this week - hoorah!!!!! TBH I thought she would have lost more but as long as she is losing I am happy. We are back at the end of the month for boosters so will get a weight check then x

[Sonia]

Great news well done Fergie