HOUSTON -- Local 2's weather dog, Radar, finally saw success on the scale during the third weekly weigh-in of his doggie diet challenge. After two weeks of gaining weight, Radar lost 12 ounces.

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Video: Radar Dumpster Dives, Bats Brown Eyes For Food
Discuss: Give Tips To Help Radar Lose Weight

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Radar began the diet challenge with his friend, Ned, to see who could lose the most weight. Their vet said both dogs needed to shed a few pounds for their health.

But Radar, like millions of others, found out that it's not easy.

Last week, Radar weighed 48.2 pounds, a gain of 13 ounces since the weight-loss challenge began. On Tuesday, Radar weighed 47.6 pounds.

Ned weighed in this week at 88 pounds, a loss of four ounces from last week's weight of 88.4.

For the month-long competition, Ned lost a total of 1 pound, while Radar gained one ounce.

Since Radar was showing a weight gain at every trip to the vet, the scale is at least moving in the right direction now.

Both dogs will continue their diet and exercise plans. Hopefully, they will be down to their goal weights within a few months.

Ned's owners said their dog's success on the scale is from him hitting the pavement. He gets a long walk in the morning and in the evening.

Vets say that the best time of day to walk dogs is in the morning or evening, so their paws don't burn on the hot pavement.

Radar also is exercising more. He gets a long walk in the morning.

The Local 2 staff has also really cracked down giving him treats and throwing food away in covered trashcans, where he can't get it.

Week One's Weigh-In

Radar started the challenge at 47.5 pounds, 7.5 pounds overweight, according to his vet.

At his first weekly weigh-in, Radar weighed 47.9 pounds. He gained four ounces. Ouch.

Ned, a Labrador, weighed in at 88.6 pounds after the first week. He lost 10 ounces. Good job, Ned.

Ned's owner said he is walking Ned at least three blocks in the mornings and evenings and has cut out all desserts.

As for Radar, the station is going to "Plan B." We've mapped out a walking path inside the Local 2 building where Radar can walk at least one mile a day.

Radar Begins Diet

The last few months Radar has been getting heavier, which was confirmed at his annual checkup in March. So the vet put Radar on a diet and paired him with another pudgy pooch to help motivate him and bring out his competitive spirit.

Radar is ready for his doggy diet challenge.

Our lovable weather hound is kept busy, visiting with everyone in the newsroom and being ready for his daily on-air appearances. But it has not been enough to keep him from tipping the scales.

One of his problems -- Radar is a "Dumpster diving dog." He looks for leftover snacks at people's desks and in trashcans.

He's also not shy about begging for bites.

It shows -- Radar weighs in at 47 pounds, which was the only complaint his vet had about him.

"He's looking good, but he's picked up a few more pounds," said Dr. Ben Tharp, with the Voss Road Animal Clinic.

Radar's diet buddy, Ned, is a Labrador adopted from the pound. Ned tipped the scales at 88 pounds when he went home with his new family.

"We got out on the patio and decided we needed each other," said George, Ned's owner.

Tharp also treats Ned, and said even though it's tough, pet owners have to keep a tight reign on an animal's weight.

"It is one of those type things that just lead to a whole lot of other problems," Tharp said.

The problems include the following.

Arthritis
Muscle strains
Stiff joints
Diabetes

Tharp wants to prevent those complications in appearing in Radar and Ned.

Following doctor's orders, Ned's owners now have him on a regular exercise schedule and they monitor his diet.

"We measure it very carefully," George said.

The vet has specific weight goals for Radar and Ned.

Ned needs to lose eight pounds to get down to 80. Radar should drop seven to reach his target weight of 40 pounds.

Radar has already gotten into the spirit of the diet challenge. He's exercising more and has made a diet change.

"Look what we got for you -- Adult-One-Plus-Year IAMs Weight Control. I know, it happens to the best of us," Local 2's Frank Billingsley told Radar.

But Radar likes the food.

"It's a winner. He's liking it. He's going to slim down and get in shape," Billingsley said.

Local 2 is also purchasing "Radar proof" trashcans for all the employees to toss their leftovers in. That way, the tossed food will be out of Radar's reach.

The vet said anything, even half-a-pound, is an improvement, since, just like in humans, it can take a while to see a change in the scale.

More Information:

Information About Dog's Nutritional Needs
Managing A Dog's Weight
What Should Dogs Be Fed?
Radar's Dog Food, IAMs: www.iams.com
Ned's Dog Food, Purina Pro Plan: www.proplan.com