Hopefully this question has not been beat to death...

[SteveTheDog]

Sorry for the noob question. Puppy will not eat now.

I picked up my german shepherd pup last week (1/24) from the breeder and now he will not eat, zero excitement, he won't even eat treats but when/if he eats he will just mull around and take a couple of bites and walk away.

I contacted the breeder and they said he was the first one to the bowl and would have to be separated because he would try and eat his siblings food. They were feeding him kibble in the morning with ground meat and chopped raw chicken sides in the evening. I have tried every type of food imaginable, wetting down the kibble, canned food, chicken and rice (he will eat some of the chicken but not all of it and he will grab a chuck and take it away from the bowl and eat it then not go back to the bowl), lamb and kibble (cooked and uncooked, just as the chicken he will eat some of the lamb but nothing else). He has been to the vet and they say he is healthy.

this is really stressing me out and i think it might be coming through to him. The breeder said that my stress about him eating could show dominance over him and could possibly make him think the food is mine and not his.

He is an awesome pup and wicked smart, but this food thing is killing me. Im afraid he is not getting the vitamins and nutrients he needs and will delay his growth.

should i go back to the raw chicken? I would rather not as i've read the dog will not grow as tall or large as pups on large breed kibble. BTW, i am feeding him Wellness puppy large breed....well trying to anyway.

sorry if this is all over the place.....

[JakodaCD OA]

I would feed him exactly what the breeder was feeding him and slowly transition if that's what you want.

Don't believe all you read, I've never heard that chicken will make them not grow as tall or large. I never have fed my puppies Large Breed Dog food. I usually go right to adult dog food and mix in raw.

BUt for now, I would be feeding him exactly what the breeder had been feeding him

[SteveTheDog]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I would feed him exactly what the breeder was feeding him and slowly transition if that's what you want.

Don't believe all you read, I've never heard that chicken will make them not grow as tall or large. I never have fed my puppies Large Breed Dog food. I usually go right to adult dog food and mix in raw.

BUt for now, I would be feeding him exactly what the breeder had been feeding him

Makes sense. I figured as much. This is our second GS and it's been awhile since we've had a puppy...

i see you live in CT, i do as well.

[JakodaCD OA]

Cool !!! well you have to post pics of your puppy, it's a requirement here

I am down on the shoreline, you?

[selzer]

What Diane said, but also, put the dish down for 10 minutes and then pick it up and do not offer more food until the next meal time. A dog that can graze at will will often become picky and is harder to house train. Also, if you teach your dog to eat it now, you will know immediately when your dog is not feeling good.

Good luck with the pup. A healthy dog will not starve itself to death.

[TaZoR]

When my pup wouldnt eat..he ate vienna sausages (prob almost dogfood) haha and loved cheese. I fig. Better n nothin

[Holmeshx2]

honestly you've only had him for a week and from the sounds of it have given him everything in the pantry lol. I think the breeder is right you are stressing about it WAY too much. They need a few days to adjust my breeder told us all you will not see your true puppy until about 72 hours after bringing them home and so far in those 72 hours it seems you've shown him how to freak out.

Go back to what the breeder had him on put it down (I give 20 minutes) if he doesn't eat it pick it back up and give it back to him at the next meal time. We just got a foster pup in last week (on the 21st) and she wouldn't eat for days I was freaking out that she was sick as well.. She finally started eating like 2-3 days ago and is just now starting to eat fairly decent just give your pup some time to settle in.

Also my girl is built like a tank and has not suffered one tiny bit from being fed strictly raw.. of course they need more then chicken and its more complex then that however a properly prepared raw diet is not going to stop your pup from growing as tall or as large as its genetics will allow.

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I would feed him exactly what the breeder was feeding him and slowly transition if that's what you want.

Don't believe all you read, I've never heard that chicken will make them not grow as tall or large. I never have fed my puppies Large Breed Dog food. I usually go right to adult dog food and mix in raw.

BUt for now, I would be feeding him exactly what the breeder had been feeding him

If you think your stress is stressing him, how about putting the bowl of food and him in the crate and leaving the room for about 15 minutes. If he doesn't eat, then pick it up and take him out.

[SteveTheDog]

thank you for all the responses. Yesterday he ate better and then again this morning. He is still not excited about eating though. Last night was chopped chicken, bones and all and this morning it was kibble with raw ground lamb. He ate around his kibble and didn't finish breakfast. I threw the rest away. He doesn't seem to be a lazy eater but more that he just doesn't care

I was thinking about feeding him in his crate, but i don't want him to think he is being punished as he is still getting use to his crate.

as far as house training, he has only had two accidents in the house and none in his crate. He seems to get that he needs to "go" outside.

here is a picture of Steve...

[JakodaCD OA]

awwwww what a cutie!! he looks like a little black fuzzball !