Labradoodle eating habits

Question
Hi, I have a young labradoodle who has very bad eating habits.  When she is at Doggy Day Care, surrounded by other dogs, she eats consistently and finishes her meal.  But at our home, she won't even go near her feeding bowl, despite offering her the exact same food.  Rather, she begs for people food (often stealing my 4 year old daughter's snacks etc) or eats the cat food.  She is prone to diarreah and vomitting and I know it's related to her eating.  Do you have any suggestions on how to improve her eating habits at home?  Some times she will go 2 or more days without eating and I worry about her.

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 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.