How do I know if my dog is overweight?

Scales are useful for tracking change, but they won't tell you if your dog is the right weight, because breed and frame vary so much. The hands-on check is better and takes about ten seconds.

Run a flat palm along your dog's side with light pressure. You want to feel the ribs easily under a thin covering, roughly like the back of your knuckles when your hand is relaxed. If the ribs feel like your knuckles when you make a fist, sharp and obvious, your dog is too lean. If it feels like the palm of your hand and you have to press to find anything, they're carrying too much.

Then look at them. From above, there should be a visible narrowing behind the ribs. From the side, the belly should slope up toward the back legs rather than running level. Long or thick coats hide all of this, which is why the hands matter more than the eyes on breeds like Bichons, Golden Retrievers and Cavaliers.

If you find extra padding, cut the daily food by about 10% and hold it there for three or four weeks before adjusting again. Slow is the point. And pull treats out of the count first, since that's usually where the surplus is hiding.

If your dog is gaining weight without eating more, talk to your vet. There are medical reasons for that and they're worth ruling out.