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I changed Shilo's food as was suggested. Started with the 25%-75% and so on. He started by dumping the food and eating the 25%, left the old food on mat! We are now at 100% on the new food, he seems to LOVE it, and NO DISH DUMPING!!
The bad news is that he's at 93 pounds now, and his vet says he needs to lose 10-13 lbs. We'll work on that. I was under the impression that he was just growing up, and it turns out that he's also growing "out" and it needs to stop. We exercise daily but will try to get more of that and less food. Will keep you posted. I'm not sure what he's supposed to weigh at this age and/or when he's done growing....or when that is even! Taking my vet's word now.
Thanks again for your help!

Try cutting the amount of food about 20% for two weeks, and then weigh him again. You want a slow weight loss. A loss, but not too fast, because that can harm the immune system. For a dog his size, maybe 2-3 pounds a month.

If your vet has scales in the waiting room, you could drop by there and weigh him--call and make sure it's alright. If not, there are animal scales in other places. He's probably too large for you to lift and step up on your scales at home! Besides, unless you have medical scales, that wouldn't be accurate enough.

I'm glad he likes the new food!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Thanks again for your input. I guess my biggest question is what IS the "normal" weight for a 15 month male GSD?? I'm cutting him down as suggested, he's NOT happy already, but he'll deal with it! Just not sure how low he should really go! Any thoughts?? Again, thanks from Shilo and I!!

>>Thanks again for your input. I guess my biggest question is what IS the "normal" weight for a 15 month male GSD?? I'm cutting him down as suggested, he's NOT happy already, but he'll deal with it! Just not sure how low he should really go! Any thoughts?? Again, thanks from Shilo and I!!

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I trust my veterinarian to tell me how the dog's weight is--and I always ASK him. Every dog is different--like humans, more muscles weigh more, some have heavier bone and some have less bone. And a GSD that age will likely get bigger, but possibly he is at the weight he will be, or above it, or below it!

You tell somewhat if weight is right by feeling the ribs. You should be able to feel them, but not too much, and you can also feel the hip bones. Any rolls of fat around the shoulders are uh-oh! And a fat tummy is not good!

But the vet can feel the internal organs and the fat around them. That's why I rely on my vet's opinion on a dog's weight. I just don't know that much about the dog's insides!

Feed more often. That will help the dog be satisfied with less quantity. It also avoids a really full stomach, which is a risk for gastric torsion. And I have found that dogs fed three or even four times a day are very keen on treat-training, not tired of food as you would think. I guess they're just never too full that way and a treat is welcome.

I don't recall whether you've mentioned dog training classes with your guy. If you're not doing that, do it! German Shepherds need a lot of training, and he is at a very vulnerable age when training is really important. Dog training was virtually invented for German Shepherds, so if you practice with him daily between weekly classes, expect to do great in class!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

I'll try feeding less more often, that sounds like something Shilo would like. As for training, we tried and couldn't get thru it....I had a horrid time controlling him due to some health issues, and maybe because he was so very new to me at the time. Have discussed with hubby trying it again now that Shilo is more used to me and what I expect from him. He is so eager now to run and play and do what I want, I am hoping we could get through the whole series of classes. He's boisterous and not easy for me to control around other dogs so we are considering private lessons. Not BAD with other dogs, NO aggresion whatsoever, and quite friendly but way too curious and overactive for me at this time. He's a prize tho, and I'll work something out. Please PLEASE don't tell me he's the wrong dog for me because of this!!
I appreciate so much your input and thoughts and ideas for us. THANK YOU.

You might want to start training with a Gentle Leader. It greatly improves your control of the dog. Don't give up on training. Yes, private lessons might be a very good idea to start and get ready to go back to classes. He needs classes, he really does. Ask your vet to recommend some good private trainers or behavior specialists locally. You need a good assessment.

It can take real dog-handling skill to train and control a German Shepherd. You love him, so this is what you need to do! And you need to do it now. Also, I don't remember whether he's neutered, but if not, have your vet do it right away. It makes a difference, and it will make more difference as time passes. At age 3, you could have really serious problems if he is not neutered. Soon!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Each dog and handler team are different. You both need to find out what works for both of you. Just realize, this dog NEEDS to be trained somehow/someway. He's far too big and far too energetic to not have structure in his life.

Glad to read that the new food is helpful- granted a bit too helpful at this point. Did you mention exactly what brand of food you are trying? I have found that my chunkier older pup actually did better when I increased her protein levels in her food and maintained the amount. Yet, my not so chunky dog needed the levels reduced a bit and more fiber added to his diet (canned green beans work great with him). Each dog is different- even the same breed- so I wasn't surprised that I needed to modify things for each of them.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles www.freewebs.com/performanceshibas

I just noticed your dog is 15 months old. My Standard Poodle Worthy was born April 2nd, so is nearing 16 months. I know what a handful this age is! And what opportunity you have at this age to create wonderful habits. Plus, you have a brilliant dog--so do I!
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

It probably all depends on which site you visit but it would seem the ideal height/weight ratio would be 24-26 inches at the shoulder and from 75-82 pounds for males and slightly less for females.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

Uh oh! He's 26" at shoulder and 93.5. Diet is officially on now. He's not happy but he'll adjust! I truly thought he was just filling in from his puppiness. Silly me. He'll lose, slowly and consistently. If I did it, HE can do it. Thanks Bob....