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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

couple of qus re: 5 month lab

17 replies

LittleMilla · 18/08/2014 15:58

he's just divine but a couple of things are worrying us.

he hates walking in the lead and will stop dead in the middle of the road so frequently it makes walking him anywhere nigh on impossible. we look cruel dragging him down the road whilst enticing him with treats but he just won't budge. once off the lead he'll be as good as gold. just detests the lead which is a real prob.

second is food. he's fed three decent sized meals a day yet seems perma hungry. I know labs are like this by nature but he seems to always eat grass (which the dog trainer/ behaviourist said he'd be hungry) and will just chase every scrap of food. inc licking the pavement after the bin men have been. Shock Shock

what is actually normal for this age/breed?

OP posts:
RegrettablyYours · 18/08/2014 16:03

Ref motivating him to walk:

  1. try a toy instead of treats in the house first and then when you are out on the lead
  2. get the vet to check his joints are ok

As for food;

  1. is he wormed?
  2. most labs are greedy guzzlers
  3. mine eat grass like cows and they are in great condition! Grin
  4. grass can harbour unwanted parasites/other unwanted nasties, so probably best to distract him away with a toy or a game when he starts to graze
daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 20:39

At 5 months, ALL labs are starving. It's what they do.

What is he fed?

He is still quite young, what have you done to teach him him how to 'do' the lead?

Original poster
LittleMilla · 18/08/2014 21:01

Thanks for replies.

he's up to date on worming stuff and I am sure his joints are OK given that he's fine off the lead.

he's fed James well beloved I think it's called.

I actually think that the lead might be something to do with food. he's only on it on roads etc where there's potentially food (we've just been on hols and he's already clocked that benches usually equals some dropped crumbs). so when on the lead he's often pulling a bit and always on the hunt for something.

we've been trying to do the loose lead walking that was taught in the class but juggling a buggy too it can be tricky to constantly have a treat in my hand whilst pushjng Grin

and tbh even when it's both of us and he's having treats he'll stop dead.

tempted to see the dog trainer again to see what she suggests. he's a magnificent dog in every other way but we leave in a small city and so he needs to walk on roads a fair amount to reach the best walks!! Smile

OP posts:
daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 21:06

OK? He's hungry. How much does he weigh and how much are you feeding? Has he been on JWB since you got him?

Original poster
LittleMilla · 18/08/2014 21:20

In the car at the mo so haven't got weights to hand. he weighs about 10kg maybe a bit more now. he's certainly big for his age (soooo many "oh look at the paws" comments) and dwarfs other labs his age. but he's very lean, he's from a gun dog vs show dog background.

we upped the amount of food after the trainer lady said about the grass. that was when we last weighed him then realised he wasn't getting enough.

was on Purina plus wet food when we got him at 8 eeeks . But we stopped the wet at 12 weeks per vet and breeder's advice.

he gets quite a few supplementary bits from the boys in the day from over the side of the highchair! Grin

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 18/08/2014 21:28

10kg sounds very light for a 5 month old Labrador ,are you sure you are feeding him enough ? my Patterdale x is smaller than a 5 month old lab and a lighter build and he weighs 12.5 kg ( and is at his ideal weight) .

RosieAndCharlie · 18/08/2014 21:32

Might be worth weighing again - my 5.5 month lab (who is also big for her age but not overweight) is about 20kg...

daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 21:33

He can't be 10kg! He will have been 10kg at about 11/12 weeks.

daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 21:33

At 20 weeks he should be in the he region of 20kg.

Original poster
LittleMilla · 18/08/2014 21:35

ooooops, must've got that wrong Blush

will be home in half an hour so will weigh him on bathroom scales and repost! Grin

OP posts:
daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 21:43

??

daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 21:44
Grin
Original poster
LittleMilla · 18/08/2014 22:33

right, so he's 15kgs. he was born on 1st April so is technically just over 4.5 months.

I fear he might be underweight and we're not feeding him enough Sad

OP posts:
daisydotandgertie · 18/08/2014 23:04

Yes, he does sound as though he might be underweight.

What is his condition? Can you see his ribs? Or feel them? Do they feel as though they are covered with a sheet? Or a blanket?

What about his spine? Is it easy to feel? Does it stand proud?

How much is he fed and how many times a day?

Original poster
LittleMilla · 19/08/2014 09:45

just looked at pack and he should be getting 110g three times a day. he's been getting about 90g three times a day so we just need to up it a little.

you can see his ribs when he stretches but not his spine. there's a defitine 'in' where his tummy is though.

right, so project feed him up commences! poor chap Sad

OP posts:
daisydotandgertie · 19/08/2014 13:48

To help him with his food obsession, just for now, you could split over 4 meals.

If he has a delicate tum, up it over a few days - if not don't worry, just up it. And as he's still young, just be aware the increase in volume might upset his poo routine for a few days.

Original poster
LittleMilla · 19/08/2014 13:52

Thanks daisy, that's a good idea. Appreciate your support and advice.

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