Allowing your dog to overeat can lead to serious medical issues. Here's everything you need to know about this behavior problem. Defining the Problem
A dog's eating habits can be easily compared to that of a teenage boys. Most dogs, like most teenage boys, will eat anything and everything that is put in front of them. When a dog is fed dog food at mealtimes, table scraps at breakfast and dinner, and treats in between, you may have an overeating dog on your hands.
Dogs lack the control necessary to limit the amount they eat. Unfortunately, this behavior is more than an annoyance. Canine obesity is a widespread problem caused by overeating and under-exercising. Weight gain can quickly spin out of control, especially for older and more sedentary dogs.
The Ideal Weight
Ideal weights for purebreds have been calculated and can be found in books and websites written by experts. If your dog is a mixed-breed, however, it may be more difficult to determine a healthy weight range for your dog.
An At-Home Method For Determining Canine Obesity
You can determine that some dogs are overweight simply by looking at them. Lean-looking dogs with visible muscles are probably at a healthy weight. Dogs that appear unusually wide in the midsection 
have the potential for being overweight. If you press the skin over a dog's ribcage and discover that you aren't able to feel individual ribs, the dog is most likely overweight. Take into account that different breeds have differing body structures, which will affect this test.
The Problems With Being Overweight
What You Should Do
Like any undesirable behavior, it is best to address overeating when it initially surfaces. Remember that dogs will eat any food they are given, so it is the owner's responsibility to limit an overeating dog.
