Shit-zu poor eating

Question
My dog is allergic to corn we think, we tried Science Diet when he was a puppy and he broke out in bumps all over and had to go on Prednisone.  I have him now on a corn-free  Nutro chicken and oatmeal dry food, and I cook chicken breast for him and mix it with the dog food, but he is getting so picky, just barks at me when I put the food down, and won't eat it for hours.  Help?

Answer
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 wolf 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.

Chicken breast has many of the nutrients dogs need, but not all of them.  The Nutro you are feeding, like other dog foods, is a complete and balanced diet.  If you cut back to maintain good body condition, he should eat enough of the Nutro to meet all his needs.