I would like to announce the safe arrival of our miniature schnauzer puppy..Florence. She is 10 weeks old and simply adorable. She has been so good, she's settling really well in the house/ garden and with the kids, she's off her food though. She had a quiet night in her crate and woke at 7 which was great, Just one question.. How long should i leave her without eating, shes missed 4 meals now she ate a little off a spoon but i don't really want to start a bad habbit, but i want her to eat. She isn't drinking much either. thanks

Congratulations on your new addition. Maybe she's just pining, she's getting used to being away from her mum, siblings and familiar surroundings. Expect a hungry puppy anytime now. With regards to the water, what are you feeding her? If you are at all worried, you could pay a visit to your vet to put your mind at rest. :-)

She's on dry pedigree chum complete puppy food. She happy and playing so i'll give her another day to settle. It's all very new to her. I bet when she starts she won't stop. Can't wait. thanks for the advice.

Try not to worry my beagle went days without eating.  You could try adding some raw mince in with it just to see if that will help.

thanks will get some. I put a bit of cooked chicken in with her supper last night, she ate some of that, but she refused her breakfast this morn, i think she was waiting for some more chicken!! I will get some mince for her tea that might tempt her. kids are at school today so she can have a good rest she has slept all morning shes had a busy weekend. she's also eating alot of grass, daisys and any leftover guinea pig food which is on the grass so maybe she's just full???

Awww, congratulations on the new addition - ive got two miniature schnauzers and they are fantastic, couldnt ask for better dogs.

Ive no help on the not eating im afraid, my youngest was a greedy puppy and regaully told me that he wanted feeding :D - from the other posts though it sounds quite normal.

Have you tried warming her food? Add a little hot water and let it cool down so its tepid, makes it a little more 'smelly' and i find they enjoy it a bit more.

Thanks!!  Yes I have tried it warm, cold, hard, soft??? she ate some with chicken. Do you think that if i give her chicken every meal, she'll eat the dried food on its own again. I don't want to make her fussy. I might just offer her her normal meals, i think she'll eat them when shes hungry(hopefully). I'll just keep an eye on her and in a couple of days if she's still not eating i'll take her to the vets. she's also due to be wormed can i still do it if shes not eating or should I wait till she is... sorry lots of questions.. she is such a bundle of fun.

If your confident that its just nerves or excitement thats keeping her from eating then i would be tempted like you say, to put her normal food down at every meal time and if she doesnt eat it thats up to her but the food is there if she does. If you start 'tempting' her she may get a little picky and expect chicken at every meal time!

If your not sure thats why she isnt eating then it wont hurt to visit the vets, just to check everything looks ok. You can also discuss worming at the same time :)

yes I think your right.. I will see how things go and will make an appointment for the vets nexts week for a check up and worming etc... thanks for advice.