Weight Gain For Winter?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack's weight has been hovering around 80-82 lbs for a year now, and I've been a little concerned about it. He doesn't get enough exercise, and while he isn't fat, you can't easily feel his ribs. The vet has never said anything about it, but he just turned 5, and I am worried about his hips & knees down the road.
About a month ago, I realized that I've been giving him more kibble than he should have according to the Orijen packaging, when you add in the fresh foods & treats he gets. So I started cutting back. Jack didn't seem to notice the difference, he's never been a big eater anyway. Lately, I've thought he's been looking a tiny bit leaner.
Well, it must have been wishful thinking, because we were at the vet today for Jack's shot, and they weighed him. He weighs 85.6 lbs!!!!!!! I can't figure out how he gained almost four pounds in such a short time, especially since I've been feeding him less.
The vet said his weight is okay and just to try not to let him gain any more. He also said sometimes they gain weight in preparation for the winter cold. I know that people's metabolism slows down when the weather is colder, but I never noticed it with dogs before. But than I never had a heavyweight before.
Do any of your heavyweights look like they've gained weight lately? And if you've tried reducing them, what has worked for you?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I'm sorry to not have this answer. My problem is the opposite--low weight. May I asked what you are feeding? We need weight gain!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack is on Orijen kibble, all three flavors; he also gets fish and/or eggs three times a week, and chicken or beef occasionally. And a treat every time he goes out in the yard voluntarily, and a treat after he takes his pills, and a treat after he gets brushed. Treats are usually chicken or duck jerky, or Jones Natural liver chews, or Zukes Venison jerky. And a Merrick Flossie or Old West beef tendon when I watch TV 2 or 3 times a week. Poor starving dog.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

LOL Thanks :)
I have no business in the heavyweights of doodles butl I have gained some weight myself . I will take that to another forum :)

[Lynda Kamrath]

What are you feeding? My dogs love pasta noodles, rice, and bulgar. We always cook a little extra for them. If you want him to gain a little weight, find something he really likes and add that to his regular food. But what is his regular food. My dogs really require some variety.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

LOL- how to gain & lose, and what to feed...I do have a little group here on DK you may have heard of...The Food Group?
But I am trying to figure out how this darned doodle has managed to gain weight in spite of his food being reduced. Is it natural for big sporting dogs to gain weight in preparation for winter? People who have had Labs & Goldens, is this common?

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, Jack's diet sounds wonderful. He obviously is not a "poor starving dog" but I am wondering about the exercise. You said in your first post that he was not getting enough exercise. What does that mean? My dogs really require exercise at least every other day. That is actually pretty easy for me because my DH and I are both retired and he is a bicyclist. We live in a wonderful area for outdoor exercise and take the dogs with us three times a week. On Sundays, I usually take them to the beach. Yesterday, I took them with me on a mountain bike ride and they are good for about 7 miles. They stay right with me. When we walk in one of the local parks, it is usually 3-4 miles. But, both the dogs and I have to have exercise on a regular basis. Are you and Jack getting enough exercise?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Well, I am, but I don't think he is. I'm naturally very lean and have a high metabolism. We take a walk twice a day every day, which is plenty of exercise for me, but he is a big dog who can really move, and I know that the fastest I can walk is a joke for him. I don't jog, bike, or run, and there's just me. He really needs to run, and there just isn't any oppotunity for him to do that on any regular basis. The closest off-leash area is a half-hour drive or so and costs money. I have a very small home & yard. I do throw the ball for him every day, weather permitting, but that's not really enough either. Like most dogs, he doesn't run, romp or play on his own.
Jack's size was one of the reasons I left the shelter without him the first time I saw him. I knew I would not be able to provide as much exercise as a big sporting dog ideally needs. But he was very thin when i first got him (62 lbs) so i never really thought about a time when he would need to lose weight. I was more concerned about maintaining his marvelous calm temperament. But I'm happy to say that he is calm all the time even without a lot of exercise. And there probably aren't a lot of people who would be doing what I am to treat his allergies, either. So hopefully, he still got the best of the deal.
I just still can't figure out how he could have gained this much in a month. His exercise level has been par for the course, and his food has been less.

[Karen & Lucy]

I was really shocked in June when I took Lucy for her annual. She weighed 70.6#'s and last year at the same time she weighed 59#. I knew she had gained, but never thought that much. She has put even more weight on since then. She is not fat she is solid and I can still feel her ribs. I am wondering about what she will weigh in the spring through as she certainly does not get as much exercise over the winter.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Karen, how old is Lucy now?