At the beginning of arthritis, there is nothing to worry about. Sometimes it doesn't get ever get that bad. It ussually takes years before it gives them bad pain.

My old cocker, missy, was about 8 pounds over weight for a few years. That is alot for a dog. She was 32 pounds and was supposed to be around 25. Her arthritis was bad, but not bad enough to need to put her to sleep.