problem finicky eater - Page 2

Have to agree with everyone. Have had dogs all my life (not always GSD's) but working dogs anyway. She's just too picky, I have a 10 month old female like this right now. When she was a pup the litter had to be weaned early as mom decided she had enough. When I first introduced her to wet/dry "mush" I had to set with her 4 times a day so she would eat...but she was very very young and stressed at this point. Well, she grew up and liked that she was having her favorite person set with her and dine - I didn't so much. So, she did go for 3 days and didn't eat a single thing. I offered her food many times and even left the bowl down one day but she wouldn't eat because I wouldn't add something "special" to it and set with her. Finally though, she eats her meals every morning and evening. And all I add is an egg in the morning, makes her coat so shiny!

I do have one, 12 yr. old that has to have BilJac frozen, added to his or he won't eat...but this is due to his old age and not so great teeth.

Two cups per meal might be alot for her age at this point and activity level too.  Remember, she's not growing a whole lot anymore.  As others have said, sounds like she may be training you very well at this point!  In retrospect, my two adult females, one is 60 pounds, only gets two cups per day, the other is 57 pounds, more active and gets 2 1/2 to 3 cups per day, depending on what's she's doing.

kool, I'm having the same problem with my 20 month old bitch.  She used to be a decent eater and last fall got extremely picky...would go a few days and just nibble the kibble.  She then picked up her appetite out of the blue and started eating like a pig.  Now, it started again a few months ago (thought it was because my younger female came into heat and this one is the dominant one) well, still going on...will go a few days without eating.

I've learned if I put the kibble down in front of both girls (they're not yet showing food dominance), she will eat due to competition for the food.  Thus far, it has worked.  If I don't do this, she will barely sniff the food.  She's went 3 days without eating more than a handful.  She has been to vet and has checked out fine.  She too is on the thin and wiry side (a very active girl).

I'm going to try the idea above of only setting it down for 15-20 mins.  I'm sure she'll get the idea fast.

Wow!  I can't even fathom my girls only sniffing the food and walking away!  Now my male is not as much of a chow hound, but with him it's definitely the competition thing, as they all eat in their crates in close proximity.  Honestly, if you blink you could miss my girls eating!  Remember my thread a month or so back of "bad dog!"  Came home to find the refrigerator raided namely by my older bitch.  They will basically eat anything idible that they are given. 

so yesterday whole day didn't eat. i tried in the morning and ate only like two -three kibbles then i put it back.

provided in the evening maybe ate same and i let her go with the routine for play. but she was coming to me almost like every few mins. seems to me begging last nite. but i didn't give anything.

so this morning again i provided to her and ate only half so i took it back. lets see.

if i'm feeding more i can lower to 1 cup per meal. she is 11mos and 65lbs now.

Rezkat5, you think its too much food and too much activity.

what would be the activity level you would think then.

actually i only let her run like 10mins in the morning and 10mins in the evening but rest of the time she is doing obedient with me.

maybe too much food and too little activity actually.  IOW:  When they reach that age and are not growing as much, they don't require as much food.  And every dog is different.  Like Blitz said, a healthy dog will not starve themselves!

Rezkat5, sounds good reason. maybe they mightnot need that much of food. she has been that size for a while now. hasn't grown up much.

i'll try to less feed. if goes wild then will add slowly.. i think maybe this way will work.

but in the meantime will apply the same rule

That pups needs to be doing an hour of play outside every day  . A lots more than 10 minutes....an hour of training fwith different toys   ..take her to park on the kids things like you did at first...she isnt getting enough exercise....start tracking her on grass off your side yard....put her kibble in grass or use  the salmon out of can    make a track and let her eat the fish from the ground.....

I got back a male and he wouldnt eat for me so he got no food for three days....he wouldnt sit or do any command so I fixed his butt,,,he got nothing but water and let out.. Now he does a dance when I come out the door and he eats every morsel on the ground...I do not feed him in a bowl.....the Adrian Ledda solution.....on the ground.....throw the bowl in the cubboard.

forgot the most  important thing....do not track your pup until hes has not eaten for over 24 hours....Do not feed your pup for the two days and then track him...with food on ground.....

One of the trainers in Galveston Co. never feeds her pits . they track five  times a week and all the food they get is the raw meat on the track and that is all...they get other supplements done in treats she bakes.....

i'vn't done any tracking yet. should i drop some amount of food like raw meat in every few steps and have her find it.

how many spots do you usually drop the food in ........

should i just do straight or can do turns.........

i can try this.....