Many dogs get a large portion of their daily calories from treats throughout the day or by sneaking table scraps. If you still want to use treats as motivation for training, check the nutrition and look for small, low-calorie snacks.
Another common source of unneeded calories: stealing others’ food. It could be grabbing human food when your back is turned, or taking food from other animals (canine or otherwise) in the home. You can help prevent these problems by putting your dog in a crate during other family members’ meal times.
Bonus: this tip can help both of you to lose some weight! Set aside at least 40 minutes each day for the walk. If you’re just starting out the routine, you may want to consult with your veterinarian to see if you should start with a shorter time, such as 10 or 15 minutes, and then work up to a longer walk.
- Talk to your veterinarian
- Measure your dog’s food
- Set meal times
- Cut out the snacks
- Stop the thieving
- Stick to a walking schedule