If they have limited experience with animals, they should be shown the elements of moderate body condition by having them palpate the ribs and waist under your supervision, so you can advise them if the animal needs more, less or the same amount of food. Few people know how many cups or calories of food they need to eat to maintain moderate body condition. We usually decrease our intake when we notice that our clothes are becoming a little snug, and we can teach our clients to do essentially the same thing with their pets. We also can help clients maintain their pet's body condition by recommending non food-related interactions. Teaching tricks, playing with the pet, and walking regularly instead of feeding the pet when it wants attention all help maintain a bond that is not held together with food.
Owners sometimes confuse begging for attention with begging for food.
They can differentiate the two by throwing a favorite toy for the pet to fetch when it looks longingly at them. If it fetches the toy, it was more interested in attention than food. Once owners understand how to feed their pet to maintain a moderate body condition, the frequency and timing of feeding can be adjusted to their convenience to maintain this condition, and to facilitate toilet habits. The number of feedings necessary to maintain the desired condition ranges from continuous availability of food to one small meal per day. I generally recommend that owners feed dogs when they can be walked shortly afterward, usually after work.