Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: Opinions Breed Ignorance

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Everyone has an opinion, but when they’re uninformed, they’re a pain in the butt! The Hairy Dogfathers weigh in on what to do when people comment on your dog’s size.

Dear Hairy Dogfathers,

Six months ago I adopted Mars from the pound. They estimate him to be about 16 months old, and he is such an awesome dog!

Mars has a lot of energy. I take him to the dog park before work, play fetch when I get home, and we jog together every evening after dinner. Mars enjoys all this as much as I do! The shelter said he was part boxer, and that he would be high energy. We meet each other’s needs and make each other so happy.

But there is just one thing that I wish I could change. I am simply sick and tired of people commenting on my dog’s weight! Due to our active lifestyle, Mars has a lean, athletic build. It seems that no matter where I go, friends, family, and even complete strangers feel they can make comments about my dog’s weight. Some are innocent, some are accusatory. Mars has seen the vet, and I was told that he is a happy, healthy, athletic dog. How do I stop these comments… other than bringing a signed note from my vet everywhere we go?

Signed, I’ve had it up to here!

Related:Ask The Hairy Dogfathers: Dog Don’t Got Game

You and Mars sound like quite the team, it’s great to hear how you work together to meet each other’s needs. The reality is that many dogs have trouble keeping weight on, especially when they are young and active. If your vet says that Mars is healthy, then you have nothing to worry about. Unfortunately there is no hiding Mars athletic build with a boxer-like coat and you can’t change the perception of others. What you can change is how you interpret the comments you hear, and I’m guessing that many of those comments are coming from owners of overweight dogs. Be proud that you are able to meet your dog’s needs and that you and Mars are happy and healthy.

Keep up the great teamwork!

Related:How To Tell If Your Dog Is Overweight

I am so happy to hear that your dog isn’t overweight and at risk of developing further health problems. Obesity, in pets and humans, is at an all-time high, as evidenced that people can’t appreciate a lean, healthy dog when they see one. These nosey-nellies are popping up everywhere! You can’t stop them from saying dumb things, but you can give them something to talk about! When it’s a stranger, tell them he’s training for the Olympics, smile, and then just walk away.

For your family, be firm and stand your ground. Start a conversation about pet obesity, and the dangers that pet parents are putting their dogs and cats in by over-feeding and under-exercising. Be that guy! Be that guy who talks about the risks of overweight pets – make education your best defence. Soon enough they’ll understand what you are talking about and stop telling you to feed your dog more!

Good luck and keep up the good work!

And if all else fails, remember that if the negative-nellies start to bring you down … you can easily outrun them!

Kevin

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Greek Harehound

Developed in Southern Greece, the Greek Harehound is a skilled and fearless hunter with boundless energy and excellent stamina.
How to Make Sure Daycare is a Pleasant Experience for Your Dog

Dog daycare can be a wonderful experience for your pooch, but you have to do your part to ensure a good time is had by all Sure, daycare might seem like a fu…
Wee-Chon

The Wee-Chon is a cross between a purebred Bichon Frise and West Highland White Terrier. An energetic, affectionate, and playful little dog.
DIY All-Natural Dry Dog Shampoo

Some dogs hate water, especially if it''s a bath. If you''re stinky dog fights getting into the tub, an all-natural DIY dry dog shampoo might be the answer.
Best Dog Anxiety Wraps

Dog anxiety wraps rely on the soothing power of deep pressure to provide stress relief to your pet. Read on to find the best choice for your dog!
DynaTrap Keeps Mosquitoes and Other Pesky Pests Away From Your Furbaby

This nifty device traps pesky insects, including mosquitoes, who can do a world of harm to your pet, such as infecting them with heartworm.
Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Buddy

We want you to look forward to Tuesdays and that’s why we always feature our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com on this day. This week…
Severe Macaw

Severe Macaw is a long-lived pet bird that has a wonderful personality- this fun-loving, cuddly bird will be the center of attention and a family favorite.
Best Dog Poop Bag Holder

To help you find the perfect match from the get-go, whether you prefer minimalistic design or multi-purpose designs with built-in hand sanitizers or flashlights, we’ve rounded up the 10 best dog poop bag holders on the market.
Best Harnesses For Miniature Huskies

This mini breed has the same wanderlust their Siberian parents, so we''ve compiled a list of the 10 best harnesses for Miniture Huskies to keep them safe.
10 Best Belly Bands

We are bringing you our list of the 10 best belly bands on the market – they are specifically designed to contain urine in male dogs, and work as a unique form of dog diapers.
Rainbow Lory

Rainbow Lory is certainly one of the rarer sights in aviculture- and they are certainly among the showiest and most unique pet birds out there.
Meowijuana Takes Catnip Connoisseurs to a New High

We know cats occasionally like to partake in a little catnip. We love the take that a new company, called Meowijuana, puts on their mellow catnip products.
Welsh Springer Spaniel

The Welsh Springer Spaniel is an athlete that can be happy flushing birds in the fields or playing Frisbee in the yard. This dog will keep you active.
German Spaniel

Also known as the Deutscher Wachtelhund, the German Spaniel is a hunting breed known for its thick, wavy coat and its friendly temperament.