Tobias Fenn - Bark Standard

Weight Management

The Weight-Loss Plateau: Why Progress Stalls

A cute illustration for Weight Plateau 101 featuring a fluffy white dog standing on an orange scale, with a line graph icon next to it on a cream background.

The scale hasn't moved in weeks despite doing everything right? Here's the structured way to figure out why — before assuming your dog's metabolism is broken.

Tobias Fenn
August 19, 2026

Weight Management

Weight Management in Multi-Dog Households

A minimalist illustration on a light beige background. At the top, a dark blue banner displays the white serif text "Multi-Dog Feeding 101". Below it, two small, fluffy white cartoon dogs sit side-by-side. The left dog sits upright wearing a red bandana, while the right dog lies down wearing a blue collar. Each has a silver food bowl in front of it, separated by a small, centered line-art gate. The style is clean and flat.

When one dog steals another's food, it's not bad manners — it's a learned habit and a hidden calorie problem. Here's the management system that actually fixes it.

Tobias Fenn
August 17, 2026

Weight Management

Feeding Puzzles and Slow Feeders: Do They Actually Help?

A minimalist illustration on a cream background, featuring a navy blue banner at the top with the white serif text "Slow Feeders 101". Below the banner is a small, fluffy white cartoon dog, resembling a Bichon Frise, with its head bowed, eating from a navy blue slow feeder bowl containing an orange maze-like insert. To the right of the bowl is a small, square, navy blue outline of a maze.

Slow feeders and puzzles are everywhere, often oversold as cure-alls. Here's an honest look at what they actually do — and where the marketing outpaces the evidence.

Tobias Fenn
August 16, 2026

Weight Management

My Dog Is Always Hungry: Why, and What to Do

A minimalist vector illustration of a seated white Bichon Frise dog, looking with an alert expression towards an empty food bowl. Above the bowl is a deep navy blue question mark. The composition is centered on a textured cream background.

Constant begging is usually just habit — but sometimes increased appetite signals something medical. Here's the one question that tells the difference.

Tobias Fenn
August 16, 2026

Weight Management

Weight Gain After Spay/Neuter: What’s Actually Happening

A minimalist vector illustration of a seated white, curly Bichon Frise dog. To its right are navy blue outline icons for a food bowl and a measuring scoop. The image is centered on a textured cream background with a small sparkle in the bottom right.

Spay/neuter surgery doesn't make weight gain inevitable, but it does change your dog's calorie needs. Here's the hormone shift behind it and how to stay ahead of it.

Tobias Fenn
August 15, 2026

Weight Management

Hypothyroidism in Small Dogs: When It’s Not Just Diet

A minimalist vector illustration of a white, curly Bichon Frise dog wrapped in a burnt orange blanket. To its upper right is a dark navy blue thermometer icon. The image is centered on a textured cream background with a small sparkle.

Diet and exercise aren't working, and the weight keeps climbing. Here's when unexplained weight gain in a small dog might point to hypothyroidism instead — and what to do about it.

Tobias Fenn
August 14, 2026

Weight Management

How Much Exercise Does a Small Dog Actually Need?

A clean, minimalist vector illustration of a fluffy white Bichon Frise dog wearing a red collar. The dog is in a walking pose, with a red leash extending from its collar off-frame to the left. A trail of small, dark blue paw prints leads from the dog towards a detailed dark blue stopwatch icon in the lower right. The composition is centered on a textured cream-colored background with a subtle sparkle element.

Exercise supports weight loss in small dogs—but diet does the heavy lifting. Here's how much daily activity is actually right by breed type, plus joint-safe routines and red flags to watch for.

Tobias Fenn
August 13, 2026

Weight Management

Low-Calorie Treats for Small Dogs 101

A minimalist vector illustration in a bold-line cartoon style, featuring a seated white curly Bichon Frise dog with minimal facial features. To the right of the dog is a cylindrical burnt orange treat pouch with a navy blue drawstring, and next to it is a small navy blue measuring cup icon. The entire composition is centered on a textured cream background, with a small, subtle sparkle element.

For an 8lb dog, one 20-calorie treat can use up the entire day's allowance. Here's the 10% rule broken down with real numbers, why dental chews aren't diet-friendly, and which whole foods actually work as low-calorie training rewards.

Tobias Fenn
August 9, 2026
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Weight Management

Best Weight Management Food for Small Dogs

A clean, bold-line vector illustration of a fluffy white Bichon Frise sitting down and looking forward. To its right are three icons: a dark navy blue food bowl, a white outline kitchen scale above it, and a red and dark navy blue 'verified' checkmark badge. The background is a textured cream color.

Shrinking your dog's regular meal sounds like the obvious fix, but it usually backfires on small breeds. Here's why high-protein, purpose-formulated weight diets work better, prescription vs. OTC differences, and how to read a label that actually means something.

Tobias Fenn
August 7, 2026

Weight Management

Weight Management for Small Dogs 101: A Few Pounds Matter

A clean, bold-line cartoon vector illustration of a fluffy white Bichon Frise standing and looking forward. To the right, a dark navy blue outline icon of a mechanical weighing scale is topped with a small burnt orange heart. The background is a textured cream color.

Most owners underestimate their dog's weight — it's a documented pattern called "weight blindness." Here's the at-home body condition check that actually works, and why a couple of extra pounds matters so much more on a small

Tobias Fenn
August 6, 2026