03/06/2026
As a Trainer and Judge, it is an uncomfortable conversation, but necessary for the dog's welfare. If I ever tell you your dog is carrying extra weight, know that it's because I care about them and you, it's never an insult, it's feedback for their wellbeing.
Wednesday’s Wake-Up Call…
The third and final musing on my quest for people to see things differently.
This one might ruffle a few feathers, but it’s a conversation that needs to be had.
As a judge and a show organiser of over 40 days of shows a year, I see thousands of dogs run every season. As someone who has worked in canine therapy, rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and sports performance, I probably view dogs differently to many people standing ringside.
And honestly?
We are seeing far too many overweight dogs in agility.
Not "a little bit chunky."
Not "he just loves his food."
Not "she's just a solid dog."
Properly overweight dogs that are being asked to jump, turn, accelerate, decelerate and absorb huge forces through their joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments.
The thing is, excess weight doesn't just affect appearance.
It affects performance.
It affects recovery.
It affects injury risk.
It affects longevity.
Every extra kilogram a dog carries has to be managed every time they land from a jump, every time they collect into a tight turn, every time they hit the end of a contact, every time they power out of a tunnel.
Physics doesn't care how much we love our dogs. The forces going through their bodies are the forces going through their bodies.
Then the same dog knocks poles, struggles on contacts, lacks drive, tires halfway round the course, or looks physically uncomfortable. I’ve heard competitors shout at their dog in the ring:
"Stupid dog."
"Why can't you keep the poles up?"
"Come on, you're better than that."
But are they? Or are they simply carrying more weight than their body was designed to?
Imagine asking a human athlete to compete wearing a weighted vest every single day. To sprint, jump, turn and stop repeatedly whilst carrying extra weight they didn't need to be carrying.
That's effectively what we're asking some of our dogs to do. And before anyone says, "They're just not fit enough," fitness and weight are not the same thing.
A dog can be active and still be overweight.
A dog can compete every weekend and still be overweight. A dog can look happy, enthusiastic and willing, and still be carrying far more body fat than is healthy.
And before people come at me saying, "Well, you're overweight."
I know. I'm dealing with it. The difference is, I get to make my own choices. My dogs don't.
Look at my dogs. They're fit as hell, and I'll do everything I can to give them the best possible chance of a successful, happy, healthy life. That's my responsibility as their owner, and it's one I take seriously.
I also think we've become a little bit desensitised to what a healthy-weight dog actually looks like. When overweight dogs become the norm, a dog in proper athletic condition can suddenly appear "too skinny" to people. Yet if you look at elite canine athletes across multiple sports, they are lean. They have visible waistlines. They have abdominal tuck. They are carrying muscle, not excess body fat. That's what allows them to perform.
More importantly, that's what helps keep them sound. The uncomfortable truth is that dogs don't choose what they eat.
Humans decide what goes in the bowl.
Humans decide how many treats they get.
Humans decide whether they get an extra biscuit because they looked cute.
Humans decide whether they get fed according to what they need, or according to how guilty we feel when they give us "the look."
Dogs will generally eat what is put in front of them. They rely entirely on us to advocate for their health and welfare.
That means making decisions based on what they need, not what makes us feel good.
And that's why I feel we have a responsibility to be honest about it.
The same applies when I see dogs that are lame, uncomfortable, struggling physically, or clearly not moving as they should. Some people may think it's not my place to comment. But as both a judge and someone who worked professionally in canine therapy and rehabilitation, I probably have a better understanding than most of what normal movement should look like and when something isn't right.
I have pulled people up on it whilst judging. I will continue to do so. Not because I'm trying to embarrass anybody. Not because I'm on some sort of power trip. Not because I want to be a dick about it either. I’m polite, compassionate, caring but realistic.
And I’ll do it because the dog's welfare comes before a rosette, a qualification, a clear round or anyone's feelings.
Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for a dog is have an uncomfortable conversation.
Some people have thanked me and truly couldn’t see it. Others have given me abuse because they don’t want to believe it.
Because if your dog is carrying too much weight, struggling physically, or showing signs that something isn't right, ignoring it doesn't make it go away.
Addressing it might add years to their career.
It might add years to their life.
This isn't about body shaming dogs or attacking owners.
It's about welfare.
It's about responsibility.
It's about giving our dogs the best possible chance of staying sound, healthy and happy for as long as possible.
Because at the end of the day, our dogs would run through a brick wall for us if we asked them to.
The least we can do is make sure they're physically capable of doing the job we're asking of them.
Photo credit: Abbie Kyte Photography
