[GasGuzz]

6mo Mini Schnauzer at 16-lbs, I believe his ideal/full-grown is 18-lbs. He’s on TOTW venison + plain yogurt, 1/2 cup AM and 7/8 cup PM. He’s eager for his meals and demolishes them every time. He gets good exercise, maybe that’s the prob, him gaining appetite prior to dinner.

We’d like to diet him (and decrease portions), but how do you know he’s not being starved?

[briteday]

If in doubt, ask your vet if your dog is the appropriate weight. You can also try the "touch the ribs" test. Put your hands over the rib area on your dog. Apply gentle, moderate pressure. If you can then feel the ribs, your dog is the right weight. If you have to apply lots of pressure, too heavy. If you can easioly feel or see ribs, too skinny.

My guess at 6 months of age is that he will fill out a bit more yet by 18 months of age, maybe a couple more pounds.

Some dogs, mine included always seem to be hungry and would eat until they killed themselves if allowed to choose for themselves, whether they had their regular 3-mile daily hike or not. As 6 months your pup is still maturing / growing internally in lots of ways. I'm not sure that I would reduce the ration as long as he is not overweight. And I would certainly continue with as much exercise as you can fit in. This is a high energy breed that needs to let it out. We get many schnauzers at the shelter where I volunteer because they have become destructive or bark constantly. So keep up the exercise and try to determine where to draw the line with food. I'm guessing that when he is full grown you will be cutting back to about 1/3 - 1/2 cup twice per day. My dogs are a bit smaller, full grown/older ...and they get 1/4 cup of TOTW twice per day.