The Picky Eater ... FOILING THE FINICKY FIDO "Feeding a puppy solely on standardized food, invariable in taste and appearance (dry or moist) can lead to long-term preferences and rejection of other types of food (this has been clinically proven in cats). This problem can be avoided by giving the puppy a variety of food." - Dr. Joël Dehasse, DVM (Belgium)

Dog food companies depend on this behavioral fact. "For a full year, til he's full grown" ensures that the adult dog will show a preference not just for the taste, but for the size, shape and texture of that particular brand.

"Never change brands or he'll get diarrhea!" "Don't give him "people food" or he'll get sick ..." This may well be true if his system has never been introduced to a variety of foods at an early age. How perfect for pet food sales if the dog "won't eat anything but Brand X"!

Many canine nutritionists advise that you not only buy the best diet possible, but also change processed dog foods regularly to avoid health problems associated with possible nutritional deficiencies that can occur by consuming the same unbalanced diet over time. People who feed homemade or raw diets rotate the ingredients, paying close attention to nutritional composition while varying the protein source and vegetables as you do in your own diet.

Picky eaters are often created. Being finicky can be learned.

Perhaps the dog wasn't feeling well, had reached a growth plateau and just wasn't hungry, so the owner became anxious and began coaxing the dog to eat. Paying attention to refusal reinforces it. The dog turns up his nose, so the owner adds something better. Over several days, the dog comes to the realization that the sure way to get a little gravy or extra good canned food, is to turn up your nose at the food in your bowl!

In extreme cases, forcing a dog to eat who isn't interested can cause food aversions and even anorexic dogs.

Most often this begins during teething.
The puppy's teeth are loose and hard, dry puppy food is almost impossible to chew. It's rough on the roof of the tiny pup's mouth, like eating too much dry cold cereal when you were a kid! The puppy's tender gums are sore, so he just doesn't feel like eating. A little warm water added to his kibble will make the food easier to eat and eliminate the problem.

Some dogs go through a "skinny phase" during adolescence. They just have no appetite. If they weren't leggy and lanky enough already, now they've decided not to eat. The owner starts adding cottage cheese and eggs and canned food and pretty soon the dog holds out for something new every day in order to stimulate his appetite. If his activity level and energy are good and he is otherwise healthy, offer him the best possible diet and if he occasionally chooses not to eat, consider it a phase he will outgrow.

Food rewards and the picky eater.
If your dog is a fussy eater, reluctant to take food from your hand or has to take it off and examine it to make sure you aren't trying to poison her, try putting her on a 'hand feeding' regimine to increase her desire and motivation for the food. Instead of feeding her from her bowl, measure her day's ration into a plastic bag and tuck it in your pocket. Randomly call and have her sit and give her three or four small pieces of food and then send her away "all done" and ignore her. If you offer it and she declines, fine. Wait awhile and call her again and make a big whoop de do and offer her another three or four more like you are giving her gold. It's her choice if she doesn't want them, don't beg or try and cajole her into eating. No biggie. Probably by tomorrow, she'll be taking them more readily - and by day three of turning down more than she eats, she may be really excited about what you have to offer!

Behaviorist Dr. Ian Dunbar advises that if you are going to give something extra good, give it as a reward for eating - as dessert. Give the dog less than it will consume readily and when the dish is licked clean, reward the dog for finishing its meal with that bit of gravy. No eatie, no gravy!

See also:
Foods & Feeding
Is your dog Fit or FAT?
Selecting heathy foods
No People Food?

Great article by Sue Ailsby "Teaching Your Dog to Eat"