Dog not eating out of bowl

Question
QUESTION: My 10 yr old sheltie suddenly stopped eating out of her bowl. After a few days I started feeding her out of my hand. She eats it all up. Has been on the same food (science diet light) for years. No changes in dish nor location. Acts normally. Our vet did blood work and all is well. Help!!

ANSWER: Hi
Try feeding her in a flatter dished with barely curved sides. If that doesn't help then you are likely dealing with a control issue and you would need to just put her food down for thirty minutes twice per day and then pick it up. She WILL eventually eat. If you continue to feed her out of your hand, you're encouraging the behavior. :) Dogs are so much like children in some ways, they do like to push buttons when they can! :)
Diane

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

QUESTION: Thanks! The dog also stopped eating the canned cat food which is on a flat plate and which the dog LOVED to gobble up if we weren't careful to keep the dog in the kitchen while the cat ate his food in another room. My husband, an ocologist, thinks the dog could have stomach cancer without it showing up in the blood work. Do you think this is possible and should we have her exrayed? She ate nothing (except for a few milk bones) for 5 DAYS before I started hand feeding her. Don't want her to starve to death. She's been a fabulous dog all these years. I will take your advice about taking the food away after 1/2 hr. and see what happens. Thanks, again.

Answer
ok, since you've already tried the flatter dish (well sorta with the cat food LOL) I would strongly suggest  having some more tests done. Just to rule out any health issues. Plus look at her overall. Are her eyes bright? Behavior normal? Does she appear to feel well or is she listless? Is she drinking normal amounts of water? Is her coat nice? Any changes in bowel habits or urinary? Vomiting? Temperature normal? I would definitely take her in for a more comprehensive check up prior to trying the keeping her hungry trick. Let me know how she does. At her age, a good all around physical, not just blood work is a good investment regardless. I have a soft spot for shelties :) My mom had one for many years. Please let me know what you find out
Diane