Hypothyroid - Weight issue

[king2005]

Excercise!Excercise! Play and good solid nutrition given in lower amounts.

Humans sometimes forget that treats have calories and fat too, since we don't want to not be able to treat our pups once in a while, take a good look at your own personal habits, do you or are you planning on using treats as a reward in training? If so add those in and adjust her excercise and kibble accordingly.

Are you active? If so think if you can include her in your non sedentary time (we ALL love the couch cuddles). My guy needed to gain weight and Sequoia needed to lose some, ( we have a hyper and hypo thyroid here 1 of each).
For their sakes I had to get off my butt (sigh and I was just settling onto it too!) We are at 5 miles daily, Sequoia cannot yet make all 5, she was too overweight and out of shape, and Rusty is bordering at needing more. We walk, (you wouldn't even want to see me jog! car accidents galore from drivers cracking up watching me) but we WALK at a brisk pace not strolling pace.

Play time helps too, use tug toys to help her tone up back legs muscles, neck and shoulders. also a great way to have fun establishing you as Alpha, you ALWAYS win and then when game is over you as Alpha are a hero when you let her have the toy.

Talk to your vet about using the RAW diet, no caloric issues as the food is naturally right. He/She can help you determine the proper ratio to feed,and she will be healthier for it without additives (no offense to anyone feeding kibble it's just my personal belief that natural fresh and no additives are better for ppl and critters) RAW isn't for everyone, but if you want to explore it your vet can be a great wealth of information.

Finally challenge her, if she can do 1 mile easily make it a mile and a half, etc. You will love the time spent, she will love the bonding, and you both will love a happier healthier her!

Good luck!

I'll talk to Chad about the RAW diet. If he likes the idea & we can afford it, I'm sure he'll go that route. Or do RAW & Kibble until the kibble is used up, as we just bought the bag (50.00).

Chad doesn't want Bear to have a tug rope. Hes scared she'll accidently tug on someones arm, instread of the rope. I do kind of agree, as we don't really know the dog yet & using her mouth in play could go wrong.

[DrKym]

Trust me she wont accidentally do anything with her mouth! I raised Rotties for 22 yrs. If you decide to go RAW use up the kibble first they dont mix! Raw food is digested easier, so it passes quicker for one thing, and it takes at least 24 hours for all kibble to be eliminated, when I am starting any new dog on the diet I fast them for 36 hours. They of course think they are starving but they seem to always quickly forgive me when they realize they are getting the yummies the other dogs get!

As for tug toys, I don't reccommend them for owners that are unsure about their pack status, I always make sure the dog knows basic obedience, and if the dog seems to think that it is their toy, a sit and then a command of give (and yes if need be I manually extract it) a reward for give , a pat or a an enthusiatic GOOD DOG! Ends the game, you are Alpha by default. If you are that unsure of Bear, definetley contact a local obedience instructor or join a class. Rotties are smart dogs that love to learn, they do think, and they need a firm but gentle hand. In that scenario they will thrive.

Feel free to PM if I can help in any other way.

[mike001]

Dr.Goodnow----I feed my dogs raw and have for many years. It actually costs me very little. I get all the butcher's scrap for free, when they slaughter a cow or pig I get all the bones with meat on them, pigs feet,ears, beef and pork tongues etc and lots of chicken backs which is excellent for raw feeding. I buy day old vegies on sale and juice these up with liver as roughage. I have never had a problem with raw, no vet bills, no need to have teeth cleaned etc.

[DrKym]

Mike I have been Feeding Raw since 1979, I am well aware of its' benefits! lol.
I too find it better for the dogs and cheaper to feed. However the fact remains that Raw and kibble do not mix well, and dogs are prone to upset tummies if mixed as a diet.

If you choose to feed a good quality kibble then by all means do so, but if you decide to go with Raw, then finish the kibble off , fast the dogs , and introduce the new diet slowly and with the easier to digest foods first.