Hi,

My 6 month old Cockapoo "Rocky" has been somewhat happily eating his **** Van Patten Natural Balance wet and dry mixed food. I mix equal parts of these two foods together:

Wet:
Canned Beef and Brown Rice, Duck and Potato, etc:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog...UPDcanned.html

Mixed with this Dry:
Venizon and Rice formula, Beef and Rice Forumla http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog...as/VenDog.html

And also add small chunks of this:
Food rolls:
http://www.naturalbalanceinc.com/dog...s/DFRolls.html

(this dog eats better than me ;) )

Though he never devours it. He always gave it a few sniffs, would walk away to see if I have anything else for him, then he would finally meander over to his food bowl and finally eat.

But now he isn't eating any of it. It's been two days. He WILL eat it if I stuff a cooked hot dog or turkery or something else in it. So I think his problem is that he probably just doesn't like the food anymore. Everyone tells me how their dogs love this food, but mine isn't buying what **** Van Patten is selling ;)

So I believe my dog's problem is just lack of interest in his food. Are there tricks I can do to make him eat this? Am I better off trying a different brand? If so, what brands would actually taste better and be as good for him as Natural Balance? Or is Natural Balance just a bunch of crud? That "Chicken Soup for the Soul" dog food sounded good as someone posted that on this board earlier.

One last note: I did pull an engourged tick off his chest. Not sure if that has anything to do with it. He seems very happy and active otherwise.

Your title suggests the sudden change in behavior that calls for a visit to the vet. The body sounds more like the typical spoiled, over fed dog. The vet visit still might not hurt. While you are there, discuss the dog's body condition. I am guessing the vet will say he is over weight. Before you go compare him to this illustrated guide.

September 07, link to chart replaced with LongLiveYourDog.com - Life Span Study - Rate Your Dog

This isn't just something I once found on a kibble bag. It is an illustrated guide saying exactly the same thing as the Puppy Raising Manual I have from a large dog guide school. Their vet staff supervises the care of thousands of dogs through their whole life. Nobody has more information on dogs or more incentive to give them the best possible care. Few websites have near the background the school has. Over weight shortens dogs lives. You can send a kid to 4 years of college for what it costs to train and new dog guide.

If you and the vet agree the dog needs to lose weight, this is what you need to do. Put down the dish with what the dog should eat, and give it 15 minutes to eat. Then take it up. Do not give it anything to eat until its next scheduled meal. In a few days, it should be eating what it needs. Continue to check its ribs and adjust the food as needed. This is not easy. I had a Shepherd go 3 days on a few nibbles. I was a wreck, but she was fine. It is almost unknown for a healthy dog not to eat what it needs. Unfortunately, in too many cases, it is less than the package says, and less than the owner thinks the dog should have. Many dogs are quite good at holding out for tastier chow. Like kids, sometimes it calls for tough love.

He was at the vet about three weeks ago and the vet said that he was at an ideal weight. Just because I mix in three food types together doesn't mean that I am overfeeding. I give a quarter to a half cup of kibble, one large fork one quarter of a large wet can and 1/4 inch of the food stick chopped up. It barely makes a total of 3/4 of a cup. So no he is not overfed.

I'm looking for alternatives to the Natural Balance food I am giving him now does anyone have any suggestions of a good replacement of any tricks to help motivate him to eat?

Thanks.