u/Kitchen-Fox2877

33 yr old F, about 5’6” at my heaviest I was about 225. As of this weekend, I hit my initial goal of 160. I picked 160 with the very scientific method of choosing the number I would use to lie on my drivers license. I also picked it because I thought there was NO WAY I’d ever weigh 160lbs. I’ve been overweight since I was 10. I’m so happy to have hit this goal, but will keep going. My new goal is 145-150. Stick with it, you can do it if I can do it. My favorite part is doing things like riding a bike and taking long walks without even thinking twice. I can do these activities with ease now and have no problem keeping up or getting winded. Here’s some pics of my morning hike with my best pal, Levon. 2 miles, 600 ft, did it in-between meetings like it was walking to the fridge. Life is good, not perfect, but significantly better. You can do it too.

I have an 8 year old GSD, started showing signs of reactivity around 3 or 4, seemingly out of nowhere. He never showed aggression to my late dog Ozzie for the 6 years they spent with each other and also never with my partners dog whom we’ve lived with with over a year. He has never exhibited signs of aggression to humans either. He does have a high prey drive and has, unfortunately, caught a few raccoons in our fenced in backyard along with a stray cat (all separate incidents).

We go on walks almost every day and 99% of the time no incidents. He doesn’t lunge or bark at dogs in their yards or passing on the other side of the street. Tonight, and I take full responsibility, we were walking and I stupidly was zoned out and let the leash drop for a second on accident. He noticed the dogs walking across the street and jumped on one and pinned him down. It looked like he was attempting to bite the other dog but I pulled him off before anything happened. I was ashamed and felt terrible for letting my guard down and allowing this to happen. In the past few years a similar incident has occurred 3 or 4 times. I waited as the owner checked out her dog and made sure there were no injuries. She as upset, 100% understandingly so, and said “you should not be walking this dog in public”. I’m still worked up over the incident, sad and frustrated, but I can’t help but wonder if she’s right? He has never seriously injured another dog, I’ve always been able to handle the situation but what if I can’t for whatever reason? Is it fair to keep him contained to the yard? Lots of emotions and feelings… thanks for reading.

Hit my goal!

Is he a threat to the public?