Proper food amount

I personally don't go by the feeding recommendations on any bag.  I go by kcals and what I know my dogs need calorie wise per day.  My dogs get at most 2 cups of kibble per day (at 505 kcals per cup) and then raw for dinner.

I don't neccessarily suggest feeding one time per day.  They tend to "scarf" their food and if they feel hungry, they might turn into major beggars. Also, if the tummy is too empty, they tend to throw up bile, which is just flat nasty to clean up.  Feed the proper amount, divided into two meals.  If someone still "feels" or acts hungry, add some low sodium canned green beans.  They add bulk without many calories. 

At this point I just know how much to feed my dogs, based on how they've gained/lost in the past. But, to start with, I usually start at less than what the bag says..it always says to feed more than my own dogs need.   Some dogs will always wolf down their food and act starving..I know Grimm would eat 3 cups and look for more. (he eats 1/2 c per meal).

You can add green beans or something similar if you want to add bulk without a lot of calories.

bdbull

What's the best way to zero in on the proper amount of food

This is what I do -- Pick the amount of food that you think is appropriate.  After a couple weeks of feeding, re-evaluate.  Is the dog gaining/losing/maintaining as you want?  If you can't tell, then feed the same amount of food for another week or two and then re-evaluate again.  Then you adjust amounts accordingly.  That's about the only way I know to do it, as there is no one-size-fits-all daily calorie requirement.

FWIW, I'm not a fan of just one meal a day feeding.  IMO two smaller meals is much better.

 IMO, two meals are better than one. I know when Tootsies stomache is empty, she pukes yellow foam. I feed her 1/3 of a cup, 2x daily.

To monitor weight on our puppy, I take pics weekly.  I take them from the exact same angles every time, that way I can just look & compare how she's looking from week to week.  It's easier than weighing the both of us on the bathroom scale & then subtracting my weight from our weight together.

BEVOLASVEGAS

To monitor weight on our puppy, I take pics weekly.  I take them from the exact same angles every time, that way I can just look & compare how she's looking from week to week.  It's easier than weighing the both of us on the bathroom scale & then subtracting my weight from our weight together.

^ditto. I did the weekly picture thing when I was trying to get Bailey to gain wait.

Only, I also weighed him on the scale. With my clicker and some chicken, he was standing with all 4 paws still on the scale in minutes.

 For feeding, I start with what the bag says and then go from there. I monitor Ari's ribs to see what they look and feel like. I like keeping Ari lean. When she was growing I did weigh her, only b/c to get her to hold still to take a picture was frustrating at times lol and I didn't have the patience. We also heavily went by ribs and hips. We kept her thin, part out of choice and part because we couldn't get weight on her even if we tried (when she was growing).

bdbull

Since they didn't eat, does that mean they are getting too much and are still full from last night's meal?

It could be that or they just don't like eating in the morning. I know Willow gives me the hardest time early in the day. 

Hi!  If Willow skips a meal I usually only give her the normal amount at the next meal.  It makes her think twice about skipping one the next time, LOL! 

If they finish the meal and you want to add a little more that's up to you but definately only the normal amount at first.

Lori

 I would feed their normal amount.

glenmar

I personally don't go by the feeding recommendations on any bag. 

My lab, he is tall and very lean at 80 lb, gets 2 cups a day (split into two meals) plus supplemental food (raw, canned, pure meat treats, and etc.) and exercise.

Even though I am not a fan of purina,  I use this picture guideline and add/cut food according to how my lab looks.  I keep my lab at "ideal" weight.

http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx    Also, you can click on the green label (for example for "ideal";) to see view from the top.

P.S. ---  Glenmar, I know from your various posts that Blue Buffalo is one of your preferred dry food,............Blue Buffalo works great for my lab!  His coat is the softest and most vibrant when he eat Blue Buffalo. 

Aesop often skips a meal, or only eats part of it...he's not a huge eater in general. I always give the normal portion the next meal, no extra. Skipping a meal once in awhile doesn't hurt him.

As for growing pups, I've always used the rib test. I like to feel ribs, but not see them (although I tend to have hairy ribs, so I doubt I'd ever see their ribs anyway...)