Picky eater?

Question
Hi. First I'd like to say how much I appreciate your knowledge. I have gotten
many ideas from you and have used them and passed them on to
others...Now to my question...My 9 month old lab is beginning to be a picky
eater. When she was under 6 months, she'd eat anything and and eat however
much it was. Now she will eat her food for maybe 2 weeks then I have to
change it. It started with Purina Pro Plan, then Nutra, now shes on Beniful.
(Which I think is Purina also.) Any ideas? In morning when I leave she gets
kong with treat and peanut butter. I'm sure it wouldn't be the peanut butter? I
did give her some chicken with her food and she picked out the chicken. Any
advice will be great. Thank you.


Answer
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.