I have such a huge problem (well it is to me).  I sold my puppies and they have been with their new owners for approx 4 weeks - all reports so far have been great - well until Sunday.  I sold one of my puppies to a lady that has owned the breed before (GSP's) and I was aware that she was going to change him on to Eukanuba (sorry about the spelling).  She phoned on Sunday night to let me know how he is getting on etc & he is great, then she mentioned his weight and he was 10 (kilos or lbs - forgive me I am not so good with weights).  He is the same weight as my own puppy.  The puppy I sold her was the fattest and chunkiest pups.  Then she said that you can see his ribs a bit - now I am aware that they are not a fat breed and they do not carry the weight as labs etc do.  When I asked how she was feeding the kibble she just said as it is - nothing added just the kibble - and no soaking either.  I was gutted, I know you are not supposed to add anything to a complete food but I just add a bit of cheese or a bit of tuna or tinned puppy meat just to encourage my puppy to eat.  I am very much aware whilst I am doing this I may be making a rod for my own back and creating a fussy eater!!  I asked her if she would consider adding anything to the kibble to encourage the puppy to eat and she said point blank no.  Mean while my over active mind is picturing this bag of bones puppy even though she is saying he looks nothing like that. 

Is she doing something so terribly wrong or is it me because she is feeding her own puppy like I would not feed mine?  She did go away with a feeding guide etc but has implemented her own regime into it.

So the pups are about 12 weeks now? My breed, about the same size as yours, are starting to get leggy and ribby at that age, with the bitches weighing about 20lb (9kg) - I'd certainly prefer to see them leaner rather than chubby at that age.

I certainly do not want my puppies fat or chunky, I want them to have a waist not put any extra strains on their ligaments or joints.  Having HPRs myself and they are meant to be athletic.

If a dog likes his food why does it need "encouraging" to eat?  Cheese is very fattening and can pose problems to some dogs with lactose or casein intolerance or allergies; tuna may have high mercury levels.

When I fed complete food (some time in the neolithic age :D) I never added anything to it or soaked it either.

Everyone will have their own training and feeding regimes which may not agree with yours but is not necessarily in any way disadvantageous to the dog.

Phew, thanks guys.  I am pleased with the replys as I am very much aware that I am completely ott with feeding and paranoid about it.  I know that just because the new owners are applying their own ways in feeding and the up bringing of their puppies it is not necessarily the wrong way.  I just panicked and the worse visions sprung to my mind!!  Thank you for putting my mind at rest.  The encouraging the puppy to eat I have always found that they are wanting to go and play and do other things rather than have their meal but I suppose if they are hungry they will eat regardless of what extras I put in.

Thanks guys

I'm a bit soft like you Lynne, I softened the kibble and added little bits of leftover veg from our plates that had gravy.  I suppose if she's had GSPs before and they've thrived she's doing what she knows works.  Bit like being a mum though isn't it, you see what other kids eat and know you wouldn't feed your own the same way.  My dog isn't fussy, she'll eat anything I put in front of her, but she does make me chuckle if I come into the kitchen while she's eating because she will stop and sit looking beautifully in the hope she's going to get some scraps. :)