Hello, Since he is also refusing canned food and even human food at times, I would speak with your vet. This sounds like it may be rooted in a food allergy, GI issue, infection, or bacterial imbalance. I am not a vet so cannot give advice on medically related issues. In my experience only as a fellow pet owner, when I have had issues with my own dogs not eating, for me it has been due to a food allergy ingredient, lack of digestive enzymes or need for probiotics, infection like parasites, or underlying illness. I would speak to your vet about his lack of appetite, and possibly try switching to a high quality dog food different primary ingredients, with your vet's oversight. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Sept. 11, 2023

Hello, Many dogs enjoy chewing things apart and might get a bit carried away chewing and ingest, but the extend that this sounds like is going on could indicate a medical condition like Pica. I am not a vet and not qualified to give medical advice. As a fellow pet owner rather than expert on health, if it were me, I would speak with my vet about a possible cause of nutritional deficiency. If this isn't related to a health issue, then pup might be bored and may lack mental stimulation. I would look into toys that are more interactive and involve hiding treats and pup working to get them out of the toy designed durably for this purpose. I would spend more time teaching commands and tricks to pup to stimulate their minds and help with boredom. I would integrate pup into your home life more if they are spending a lot of time outside, and utilize the crate to help with indoor destructive chewing and spending a lot more time with you if they don't already, working on commands like leave it and drop it while with you. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 14, 2023

Hello, First, most dogs will always choose human food over kibble, and a smart dog who has learned that not eating their own food means they will be given human food eventually will hold out for a day or two to get human food instead. Some dogs refuse their own food because the human is giving them another better option if they wait; others are genuinely picky and don't like eating well enough to be willing to eat plain kibble. For a genuinely picky dog, I would speak with your vet about possible GI issues that might be effecting how pup feels when they eat, such as a food ingredient allergy and need to switch foods, bacterial imbalance and need to probiotics or antibiotics, lack of enzymes, stomach acid issue, or something else. I am not a vet so speak with your vet about anything that might be medically related. To get pup transitioned to kibble when there isn't also a medical issue needing addressing, or after it's been resolved, you can purchase a kibble topper, like a freeze dried meat based topper. The topper can be crushed into a powder if freeze dried, and that can be mixed with pup's kibble the night before in a baggie to flavor and scent the kibble. Feed pup that kibble the next day. Gradually overtime, you can decrease the kibble topper powder to transition pup to normal kibble again, while withholding giving human food as an alternative unless it's medically necessary. Some kibbles also contain kibble toppers mixed in already, for dogs who need a long term incentive if they are a dog who genuinely dislike eating. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 14, 2023