Hello, Sion's mum here! Sion is a 13wk old Golden Retriever dog. We got him from the breeder very early (nearly 5wks old) but he's thrived and is actually quite massive in comparison to his same age sister who lives nearby. Sion is such a fussy eater - he goes off things soooo quickly! He's gone off Pedigree Complete and Bakers (which im glad of 'cause ive heard bad reports about Bakers!), and he won't touch canned dog food.
Helo! Any ideas? Has someone else had the same problems? What did your dogs settle for eventually?

Fussy dogs are made not born ;)  Find a food you feel happy with, and as long as your dog does well on it, then perservere. There are many many threads on dog food on here, and they usually get rather heated:rolleyes: Many people suggest Nature Diet, James Wellbeloved, Arden Grange and Autarky as good quality foods. Chappie also gets a good rating too.

hi,
i have heard that some dog foods e.g bakers contain coulourants & some addatives! i have been told that a dog does not get bored of his/hers food they just become fussy! I would just put down a good quality dry complete dog food & leave it the dog will not starve itself! I know its hard considering its still a puppy & ensuring that its receiving the right amount of food for growth/devolpment!

Good luck!

Don't worry about him not eating, he won't starve himself. You say he has grown really well so he can't be doing badly.

I can vouch for James Wellbeloved.  My dog does very well on that and there are different flavours so you can swap the flavours about.  Only with my dog I wait until the bag is empty before changing a flavour ;)

Last week someone suggested putting a little warm (previously boiled and cooled) water in with the kibble as this makes a delicious gravy as it wets the kibble.  I have tried this and although my dog eats up straight away anyway, she did seem to enjoy this even more.

Thanks guys. I always make sure that there's food in his bowl. maybe I shouldn't? I know then he won't go hungry, but maybe I'm messing it all up by letting him pick constantly?
Do you all stick to 3 meals a day and nothing except for treats inbetween?
I went out this morning, and left some food for Sion, and he hadn't touched it when I got back. I gave him some beef when I came home, which i always treat him with when he's been left alone, and he wolfed that down like he was starving :rolleyes: Im just worried that he's hungry -I hate the thought!

I think its better if a dog has set meal times, rather than allow them to 'graze'. When you put his food down, if after 15 mins or so he han't  touched it, remove the bowl, then feed again at his next due feeding time. He'll soon get the idea

Thanks Liberty - will try that from this moment on!

Great - as I've had my back to the poor dog whilst on the Net, he's gone and pooed on the carpet :rolleyes:
Thank god for 1001 stain remover!

If I am going to treat my dog because I am going out, I treat her as I go.  This means she associates good things with me going out.  I don't treat her when I get back, she is already pleased I am back so that is treat enough.  I would be careful how much in the way you are treating as well.  Obviously we don't know from your post how much you're treating but if your dog knows he is going to get tasty bits inbetween meals there is no need for him worry about him eating meals.  Same thing applies to leaving food out all the time. :)

You are definitely creating a fussy dog by leaving food down all day. 

I would even go off chocolate if I had to work in a chocolate factory and see it every day :(

I think Pedigree and Bakers are both terrible foods though, and I don't blame him for going off them!

I would recommend James Wellbeloved or Burns, or Arden Grange.  Here are some links:

www.wellbeloved.co.uk
www.burnspetnutrition.co.uk
www.ardengrange.com

Like someone has said, pick a food and stick to it.  Put it down and pick it up if not eaten in 10 minutes.

Give 3 meals a day at his age, but you can also give treats for training in between.  If you give treats, reduce his next meal a bit to compensate.

Golden rules of feeding leave for 10 -15min remove if not eaten don't feed again until
Next meal. Stick to this throughout  their life and you will not fall into the trap of fussy dog syndrome .Also only ever give treats as a reward for something the dog has done. I would avoid too many commercial treats and give carrots, apples, or pears .Find a food that's Contains the right levels of nutrients and stick with it .Don't worry too much about different flavours as dog eat as a result of smell and most complete food tends to smell the same.
Arden Grange, Burns And Trophy all give free samples and advice check out any of their web site for details. Jo