overweight cocker spaniel

Question
I have a black cocker spaniel aged six years she had 5 puppies four years ago since then i can not keep the weight off her she is fed twice a day she also has bad breath and has had two teeth taken out by our vet,what else can we do she seems healthy enough but does breath heavily when she is sleeping can you help please.

Answer
I'd have your vet run a full 6-panel thyroid test and request it be sent to Antech or Michigan State.  Her age - the weight gain all indicate a thyroid test should be run.  Very common in cockers and easily fixed with meds.  The test is just some bloodwork, so no big deal for the dog.

Are you brushing her teeth?  Get a dog toothpaste & brush and start getting her used to it.

It helps to put them on a table - have someone hold her from behind with hands around her chest.  To begin, just do 1/4 of her mouth and do get to those back molars.  Do it every day or you'll end up with massive vet bills for those teeth.  Bad breath indicates bacteria

I usually gently hold their mouth closed - makes it easier to get back there.  Don't give up because she wiggles or objects - she'll get used to it quite quickly.

I'd also like to know what you're feeding her.  And how much exercise she gets?  
Delores