January 23, 2023

Is your dog overweight or underweight?

Being a healthy weight plays an important role in a dog’s health, well-being, behaviour, and training ability.
In a good condition, you should be able to easily feel your dog’s ribs just under the skin, covered in some muscles.

You can see me show you a quick check you can do in a short video we've put together over on our Facebook page:

Or, read on to find out more.

Before Anglian Dog Works, I worked at the University of Cambridge for 10 years.
During this time I worked closely with the vets and one of them told me this tip which I am going to share with you today...

Using your hand as a weight gauge you can feel what different body conditions feel like and compare this to what your dog's ribs feel like when you gently run your hand over their side:

🤚 Ideal - feel the knuckles of your hand when facing down, palm open
✋️Too heavy - feel the knuckle pad of your hand when it is facing up palm open
👊 too thin, feel the knuckles of your hand in a fist.

Hope that helps!

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About the author: Hi 👋 I’m Emma, accredited as a professional dog trainer by the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers (IMDT). I help owners of energetic dogs achieve the dog-owning life they envisioned by providing robust obedience & agility training for dogs across my two venues in Balsham and Barton, near Cambridge.

Disclaimer: The content of this article does not include personalised advice and is for information purposes only. If you need individual advice or other enquiries please click here to get in contact or if you're not local to Anglian Dog Works, you can find a trainer in your area by going to the IMDT website: https://www.imdt.uk.com/find-a-qualified-imdt-trainer

Back to Trainer's Tips

Is your dog overweight or underweight?

Being a healthy weight plays an important role in a dog’s health, well-being, behaviour, and training ability.In a good condition, you should be able to easily feel your dog’s ribs just under the skin, covered in some muscles.

You can see me show you a quick check you can do in a short video we've put together over on our Facebook page:

Like the content we put out and want to stay updated and in the know?

Being a healthy weight plays an important role in a dog’s health, well-being, behaviour, and training ability.
In a good condition, you should be able to easily feel your dog’s ribs just under the skin, covered in some muscles.