Hi. 
I'm after suggestions on how to reduce my dogs weight problem.
Before anyone attacks me for allowing my dog to be over weight, let me explain.
she is a 5 and a half yr old spayed Bullmastiff with slight HD in one hip, and a front right leg joint problem. She is otherwise in very good health, but extremely lazy. Shes never been a fan of walks,  her favourite pass times are sleeping & eating. I have always done my best to encourage her to be active, i.e lots of praise, playing fetch in the garden,  trying to excite her into wanting to go outfor walks etc..  but when you go out for a walk she will just sit down when shes had enough and doesnt want to go any further, and trying to move a 10 stone dog who doesnt want to is an impossibility! she will only get up when I walk away in the direction of home. Due to her HD we have only ever done short walks, so its not like shes reluctant due to over walking. Her HD is not as painful for her as it used to be as shes on medication now and has been for some time, which has done wonders for her.
I have always managed to keep her at a good healthy weight, even after her being spayed. (which i was reluctant to do due to weight gain, but she had several phantom pregnancies so vet recommended it)
Last yr I bred my other bitch, (who is HD free BTW) and did everything by the book including isolating the bitch several weeks b4 birthing, as all my dogs live inside my only way of doing this was to stop all walks of all dogs to help reduce germs etc.. (recommended by my vet) and not to take dogs out for several weeks after the birth to help keep pups healthy. I used all the correct disinfectants etc.. and was extra vigilant resulting in all pups surviving and a very healthy mum. But the side effect of this was that my other Bullmastiff gained weight.
I have reduced her food intake ( i feed her a low cal complete dry mix, and I have always fed complete dry food) I have always fed carrots as treats instead of traditional ones as I personally think its a healthier alternative, but she is just not losing any weight. I walk her once a day, with great effort, shes is certainly not up for doing more, unlike my other Bullys who are all very active and eager to go out, she just doesnt want to move. she enjoys playing in the garden with my other dogs, but she is soooooo lazy when it comes to real exercise.
Has anyone got any ideas or suggestions ?  My vet just insists that exercise is the only answer, and i am inclined to agree, but unfortunately my girl doesnt!! 
Thanks regards
Mabs.x

Hi

Yes excercise and reducing the amount of food. Have you thought about reducing the amount of food some more and replacing with veggies to bulk the meal up so she thinks she is getting more :)

Do you take her out on her own or with your other dog ? Perhaps her HD is causing her some pain ? What medication do you have her on ?

Lucy
xx

Yes Lucy tried reducing more and putting carrots apples & other veggies in but shes crafty, she takes a big mouthful of food out of her dish drops it on the floor then picks out the dry leaving the veg on the floor!!  shes a real bugger !!
Also tried taking her out on her own, & with other dogs. but when shes had enough she just stops or pulls me back towards home. :rolleyes:
Shes on glucosamine & chron, and a herbal joint relief that has worked wonders. she doesnt limp on the leg anymore or hold it up, she seems to be doing great on the two things together.
And When shes playing with the other dogs it really doesnt bother her believe me, she runs round playing chase & play fighting with ease!

Shes just not into walking alot. (shes very freindly, not timid or anything, infact shes very self ashored in all situations, a real gentle giant & a true lady)

Have you tried putting the veggies in a food processor to make a sauce to mix with the kibble ?

When you take her on a walk do you play with her eg throw a ball or toy for her to fetch ?

Also does she like swimming ?

Lucy
xx

My Rottie X has a tendency to pile on the pounds and swimming is the only way we have found to get the excess weight off him. He does like swimming and will fetch happily from the river/sea but he has recently been having regular hydrotherapy sessions too and I could see a big difference in his shape after just a couple of sessions.

Lucy,
never thought of processing the veggies, thanx for that tip.
I think it might work as she loves a 'gravy' type mix in her food.

cheers.
regards mabs.x

Lucy, I do try encouragement i.e. ball throwing etc.. but when were out she just looks at me like am daft, she just wont do 'fetch' when were out in public!  yet she loves this game at home. :rolleyes:

Mabs.x

Just a general thought. A second opinion is sometimes a good thing.
My bitch piled the weight on after she was spayed and I got the general lecture from my vet and people I knew. More exercise, less food which was annoying because I knew in my own mind that there had to be something more as the exercise she was getting (walks, agility, swimming etc.) was more than ample for her daily meal (which was small with a few veggies).
I happened to change vets due to moving and he decided to give her a coule of shots to settle her hormones down, as enough time had elapsed he thought for her hormones to calm down. Within a month, the weight was coming, no different diet, no more or less exercise.

She does like water, dont know about swimming tho, we dont really have anywhere nearby, but I do know of a place that does hydro for dogs, will ring and get info on prices etc... thanx for that tip Shaynlola.x

Will consider a second opinion Megan as she is very hormonal, my other bitch has just had a season and she was throwing up every other morning like she used to do when she had seasons. Did think that she may be in sympathy with the other dog. (She used to get very depressed when she had her seasons and sickness & also developed maternal instincts for her toys thus several phantoms ocurred).
Its been 2 yrs since her spay, but from what you've said theres a chance shes still very hormonal.

thanks everyone for yr advise and not criticising me.

regards Mabs.

I would be also thinking of having her thryroid levels checked (a full panel) as lethargy adn weight gain are some of the symptoms, and the only symptoms my friends two unrelated dobe bitches ahd.

Hi my bully had weight problems but i cut her food back and gave her plenty of exercise she's in hard condition now