picky eater!!!

Question
QUESTION: I have a 5mth old chocolate lab that doesn't eat very much. I feed him the Iams large breed puppy food, I give him 2 cups full and he will pick at it for the whole day. I've tried putting the Iams gravy on top but still it doesn't seem to help. Most of my friends have labs, and they tell me that their dogs eat all of the food in one shot. My dog doesn't look very healthy in weight and size compared to others I've seen in the same age range.. I've  been told that a Hollistic food would be a good way to go. Please Help!!

ANSWER: Holistic is for followers of Aristotle.  They think about things, but never subject their hypothesises to testing.  It is like Aristotle and Galileo.
Aristotle though about it, and declared heavier objects fall faster then light
ones.  For most of the next 2000 years,
educated people knew that.  Then at the dawn of modern science, Galileo lugged
the large and small balls up the the tower of Pisa, and dropped them off.  They
hadn't read Aristotle, and both hit the ground at the same time.  I am afraid
the dog world is full of thinkers.  Most of my answers are based on my own
results trying what I have been taught by the best there is who got that way by
carefully testing new ideas.  So ask those suggesting holistic if they have anything except anecdotal evidence that it works.  I have, and they never do.  

There was a large study published in the JAVMA showing lean dogs have longer, active lives.  If the dog never did eat very well, and has seen the vet since the problem existed, you may be over feeding it. A vet check still won't hurt. Many dogs will snarf down more than is good for them and look for more. Others refuse to eat more than than they need. Evaluate the dog as illustrated in this link, http://www.longliveyourdog.com/twoplus/RateYourDog.aspx  You may want the vet to confirm your judgment. Adjust the dogs food and exercise as needed to reach its ideal body condition. Some German Shepherds and other breeds may refuse to eat enough to completely hid their ribs. As long as you are feeding a concentrated, meat based chow, the best thing is to accept it.

The worst thing you can do is to bribe a dog with rich foods into eating more than it needs. Instead, Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.

Another well proven technique is an early switch to adult chow.  If your dog's ribs really show, you need to have the vet find and fix the problem.  2 cups of Iams is on the low side.  I think the one Lab I had on Iams ate about 3 cups, about the same as the ones on Pro Plan, Eukanuba, and Purina 1.  Unless it is more than a few ribs showing when the dog turns, I would start working in the adult version of the Iams until after a week it is all adult.

Your friends' Labs are more typical, but I had one Lab that was like yours.  The dog guide school back then was feeding Purina.  I switched him to a meat based chow, and he ate enough of it that he was at least fit to be out in public.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I heard that wheat and corn (by products) were harmful to animals and that's why pet stores recommend foods that don't have any of that in it. What's the facts behind that?

Answer
I have searched, I have asked those saying that for proof, but can't find one shred of evidence that it is true.  I know the large service dog schools have done extensive testing of different diets, but haven't seen their studies.  I do know they are feeding their extremely valuable dogs common brands that contain ingredients many condemn.  

The pet stores can't make good money on Iams because they have to compete with Wal-Mart.  They make more money on the premium brands not available elsewhere.  I will let you draw your own conclusions.