My new dog does not eat

Question
Hello,

Since Tuesday we have a new family member. His name is Rex and he is a 5 1/2 years old Mix between Old English Sheepdog and something else. I bought him from a family who did not have the right time for him. He is a absolute lovely and calm dog. He loves his walks and could do that for hours.

He loves cuddle and he comes to get it, but he is not eating. He does eat treats such as ham, chicken from grill (without bones) but he does not touch his dog food. I bought different types of food to try what he would like. Yesterday evening I cooked chicken liver but he wont eat. Only as we ate our dinner (pasta with mince meet sauce) he ate out of my hand. I put some of our dinner in his bowl....he wont eat it, but as I sat down and fed him with my hand THEN he takes and eats it.

I understand that he is confused, however I would like to know what I can do that he eats his food.

Answer
Hi Kathi-

Well, it sounds like if he doesnt eat his dog food then he gets yummy delicious table scraps!!! Would you want to eat smelly old dog food then? LOL

First of all, call the people who had him before and find out what he was eating. What ever it was, no matter how crappy of a food, he should stay on it for two weeks or so until he is used to your house and then you can switch him to a better food. Now, if they were feeding him table scraps and not really any food theres a problem.

If you want to feed him kibble, I suggest a high protein, no grain formula. For instance: Blue buffalo wilderness, taste of the wild, wellness core, innova EVO, etc. (Visit www.dogfoodanalysis.com to learn why, click 6 star food reviews) You are going to be switching him anyway, so might as well go for the gold. He wont have to eat as much of this as the crappy sugar and corn filled other kibble like purina, iams, science diet, beneful and other grocery store/walmart/petsmart brands, and that will help him a lot. Its ok to hand feed it to him for a while. Even have him do trick for it- get all excited and tell him to sit, then when he does go YAAAAY!!!!! You did so good!!!!!! Have a big treat! And put your hand down with some food in it. I have gotten the pickiest eaters ever to eat by just pretending it was a reward for something.

Patience is key, and not giving into him by offering him table scraps when he wont eat his dinner. Right now, I am sure he has learned that if he doesnt eat his kibble, then he gets rewarded with table scraps, which is much more interesting. He has quickly realized you can be guilted, and he is going right into it!

Let me know how it goes! Good luck, and thanks for rescuing!