Weight Problem with your Aussie?

They have weight control foods and suplaments that you can put your dog on plus extra walks or cutting down on treats like istead of giving your dog a treat give him one of his toys instead. But before you do that double check with your vet and make sure it is not a heath reason like a slow thyroid or some thing else more serious.

Yes, the thyroid check is a very good idea.  In fact, my aussie is on meds. I do not think it is common for the breed, but overweight dogs, like overweight people are becoming more common in general, I think.  
 
As for food to serve, I agree on cutting back on store bought snacks.  They can add up to alot of calories.  I wouldn't go with a weight loss food, though.  The latest issue of Whole Dog Journal dealt with overweight dogs and they said that the calorie reduced foods really don't help the dog to lose weight.
 
I walk my dogs every day - 2, sometimes 3 times a day.  Before work and after work, at least.  Does your dog get regular exercise by walking or with you playing with her?  She won't spend alot of time exercising herself - it takes interaction.  The bonus for me is that I lost a dozen pounds last year by walking - and I tell you that it really does make you feel better when you're through.
 
I don't know what food you feed, but if you are using grocery store foods, that very well might contribute, as well.  I recommend foods such as California Natural, Innova, Candidae, Chicken Soup, Natural Balance (dick van patten).  These foods are more expensive to purchase, but you will use less of them than store bought brands. So, they aren't as expensive as they first appear to be. They don't have a bunch of "fillers" in them that add unnecessary calories. Bonus is generally you will have a healthier dog, and also smaller poops in the yard to clean up after!

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Wow, I don't think I've ever seen an Aussie with a weight problem! My own 4 year old has always been on the thinner side if anything. When he was a pup it was hard to get him to keep weight on, and I feed free choice. As posted before..work that dog!LOL!

I knew someone with an AUssie with a terrible weight problem. His big problem? He was a clever boy who was a world champion food stealer - stealing food from the cats, the other dogs (there were about eight in the household plus fosters), and out of cabinets and off counters. Plus she was feeding him normal food and treats every day.

As most hounds have never met food that they don't like, and are quite adept at counter and table surfing as well as culling garbage....I am quite familiar with dogs who suffer from the chunkies occassionally.   There are several things that you can do to get the weight down without going crazy.  First of all, (and I can't believe how many people do this) the easiest way to maintain weight and track consumption is to feed on schedule.  Measure the food, put it down and allow 20 minutes to 1/2 hour.  Then pick the bowl up until next feeding.  This way you know exactly how much they are consuming, and can make adjustments accordingly.
 
I agree that it is worth checking out the thyroid issue, but some dogs can be borderline thyroid and not show up on the blood work.  I used Norwegian Kelp as a food additive and supplement, and sometimes the extra minerals and iodine are just enough to get borderline thyroid back in line with normal function. 
 
Diet foods are always a possiblity, and regardless of what you are feeding, there is usually a reduced calorie formula available so that the dog is still getting the same volume, but not the same amount of calories.  You can also take a regular food product, and cut the ration in half and mix with frozen mixed veggies right from the freezer to make up the additional volume of the reduced dog food.  The veggies frozen provide satisfying crunching, volume and fiber without alot of calories and tend to let the animal feel full, even on reduced rations.
 
Finally, get the doggy up off the couch....Just like people, dogs can get into the lazy mode over the winter months-even with moderate temperatures, they will still react to shorter daylight hours and tend to snooze more.  Exercise levels up, food amounts down and measured, a good supplement, a good multi vitamin, and the dog should be ready for bikini season in no time.