More than 50 percent of dogs in the U.S. are estimated to be overweight. Part of the reason may be a psychological problem — yours. In many households, people turn food into currency for love. They fear that withholding as much food or as many treats as their dog wants will fray the bond they have with their pet. It won’t — if you show your pet love in all the other important ways.
Walk your dog several times a day, play with her, brush her, and fuss over her. She will feel just as loved as if you overfed her and rendered her more prone to developing diseases that could make her die too young. It may be a difficult adjustment at first — for both of you. But you will also get the hang of the fact that love comes in many currencies beyond the currency of food.
