I adopted my pug 18 months ago. He is my world.

He came to me at 32lbs, I got him to 24 (he's already an XL pug, so 24-26 is ideal, instead of 18-22), but that didn't last long.

MY MISTAKE. I didn't know how to deal with helping him adjust, didn't know much about fat pets, and reacted to his insessant requests for more food by giving him a pig's ear or other treat that would keep him busy. I tried a variety of things, such as reducing his food from 1/2c a.m. and p.m. to 1/3 (that got him to 24), but when he wanted more, I added a can of green beans per the vet's direction, but that wasn't enough, so the pig's ears is like a daily thing.

I have tried breaking him of the habits I k now I created in him and also those with which he came to me having (he was 5/6 years old). But I can't handle how he is when he's not getting what he wants. He's a well behaved dog, when he's satisfied. When he's not, my kitchen cabinets are at risk as he will scratch for what he wants. I have tried tiring him and between mile plus hikes and car rides, it's rarely enough.

Advice?

PS, the vet doesn't scold me about his weight, but I still don't think it's acceptable. If I could get him to 27, I'd feel loads better.

Try a premium low fat food (check www.dogfoodanalysis.com). Take him for frequent walks. Cut down on the pig ears...they aren't that great for them anyway.

PS. I'd love to see his pic!

I don't know if this will work for a pug as I have a blue heeler, but I have heard from heeler "experts" to replace 1/3 of their kibble with 2/3 of canned pumpkin. It makes them feel full and only has about 40 cals/cup. I've heard it works better than veggies because it makes them fuller and they prefer the taste a bit more.

Pig's ears are the ONLY chew that keeps him happy and busy for half an hour or longer. He won't take anything else and though I walk him A TON, that's not enough. Tried the pumpkin, but not as a replacement for veggies....

Better than a pic, how about a movie?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7Rxo9zcbMw

What a sweetie pie!!!! How cute is that snoring!! LOLOL I noticed you rescued from Rawhide in Greenbrook. Do you live in Middlesex County? I do!

I know, but if you want him to lose weight, the ears aren't a great choice b/c of the fat. Maybe you can cut down on them?

Does he like carrots and string beans?

"Pig ears have a high fat content and would certainly not be the treat of choice for dogs with weight problems or those prone to pancreatitis."
http://www.petshub.com/dog/pig-ears-...gs-puppies.php

a few things...first make it so he can't get into the cabinets...ie block off the kitchen with baby gates. Ignore his begging....eventually if you ignore it...he will stop...however you must ignore it first. if you give in...he wins. Therefore, if you don't want your cabinets scratched up...put up baby gates up. Start geting him moving more. make him work for all food (ie daily meals) by doing something..ie sit etc. Start training with him...making him focus more you you than food. Redirect his boredome with other things. Find what toys he likes. Finally for feeding..give him exercise...keep him occupied by buying dog treat balls..but instead of treats...feed him using the ball. here's an example of what i mean (although there are lots)
http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...earch&keepsr=1
He'll get exercise while eating.
In addition, you could buy a kong toy and freeze his am/pm meals in water inside the kong toy (will need clear wrap and an rubber band on the other side). He than has a fronzen treat that is also his meal and will keep him occupied for a while. Also, feed him a wt control diet. for example Royal canine Calorie control or science diet WD. These are wt control foods. NO more dog treats..even low cal dog treats are pretty high cal. I usually recommend for my clients with overwt pets to use raw carrots (in small quantities) as treats since they are low calorie. Finally...check your dog's bloodwork have his thyroid panel checked to make sure there is no thyroid issue. Finally work with your vet to find out how much you really should be feeding. Most of the good companies have a vet on staff that can help your vet (if they couldn't figure it out) how much the dog should eat.

i think the main thing is ignoring his behavior...your cabinets may take a toll but ultimately if you ignore the behavior... IT WILL GO AWAY. YOU may need some prozac for your sanity LMAO...because it will take time...but extinction (a vet behavior term) will happen if you just ignore him. And by ingore..i mean totally ignore him. Dont yell at him, don't give him attention, don't go over to him. Ignore. When he comes back to you and sits to be petted..then give him that love/attention. He will stop...may take time..but remember..any reward (aka food) at that time, prior to extinction will take you back to square one.!!!! he will eventually figure out that he isn't getting food and will stop...but you must stop giving all treats in order for that to happen good luck!


aslo becareful of pigs ears..i've taken a few out of dog's intestines (surgically of corse) they can get stuck. I don't recommend it...they also cana cause a severe disease in animals called pancreatitis.

here's a good article...sort of restates what i meant..if i didn't get my point across LOL
http://www.petplace.com/dogs/dealing...beg/page1.aspx

I have 2 pugs and adore them, but sometimes they can be very annoying and pestery. Thanks for the vid, Mickey's a lucky guy, and so are you!

You said you give pig's ear's because they are the only thing that keeps him busy for 1/2 hour... are there other things that work for less time? How much begging can you take?

One idea I had was to slowly give him smaller and smaller treats... Like us, he might learn to get by on less...

Does anyone remember the name of the puzzle pet toy that you put a few small pieces of food or treat in and the dog or cat has to work to get it out. That might be helpful.

Isn't that kong? gatorgal mentioned it...

Thanks for all the thoughts.
Nicole--I'm in Hunterdon.

Re: working for it--he does. He won't get fed without a half mile to mile walk.

I've tried cutting the ear's smaller.

He has no interest in toys--this is a biggy. Asked the vet about it and she said dogs outgrow it and he did. I tried toys. Wish they worked!

Big part of this is boredom for him, I'm sure. I have tried (and spent a lot of money) on other things. Nada. It's just pig's ears he wants. He won't get into a bone or chew. Just the ears.

I wish it were as simple as blocking of the kitchen, but it's an open floor plan and there's no way to do that unless I limit him to just the hall...and even then he will scratch the **** out of the hall or gate if I do that, because he will be pissed.

He's not a destroyer--not a bit. But he wants what he wants.

What does work is taking him with me like on a visit to my mom's for 5 hours and a car ride and that tires him out, but I can't do that every day, just one day a week.

He doesn't tire even after an hour walk. Then he's like--where's my treat (ear)?

Yes he likes carrots and string beans. He eats a whole can of string beans per the vet and occasionally a couple carrots as a treat.


I don't want to be resistant to the ideas here. I would love to get down to just giving him his meal and that's it. But I keep hitting a wall because of his behavior (otherwise he's wellbehaved).

I can't let the cabinets get destroyed (new kitchen). I've tried a water bottle spray and that has not worked. I've tried taking him for another walk every time he whines (3x after dinner) still won't stop.

I know everything posted by y'all is true. Getting there is hard.

I know if I stopped the ears and/or any treats he'd be healthier. I want to. I know this is ALL on me to do. But I feel like I need a replacement and nothing works.

((pulls hair out))

I will try freezing his dinner--so dry in water in a kong thing?

Last thought before I run--he's on Nutro Weight Control and has been since I've had him.

it is hard but if you are stong...and you ignore the behavior...IT WILL GO AWAY. It may be at the sake of your sanity...because it takes time. But like i said...at any point you give the reward of food...you are just keeping the habit going. Be strong, ignore him and it will go away. Extinction takes awhile...and you may go insane. He doesn't need treats...you think he does. Just ignore it. I broke my dog of begging at the table this wey...however it didn't happen overnight. Just be strong...and give it some time.

there's several different treat balls..i have a link for one but there's also busy buddies etc. Just google treat ball or stop by petsmart...they have a bunch of different ones.