my husky (same stubborn Spitz mentality) is picky as fuck some days. best way I trick her into just eating is either throwing a few beef liver (or sprinkle the powder from the bottom of the bag) OR I make gravy from whatever meats I’ve cooked that day and pour some on top. this is obviously short term and it’s just to make her think there’s something super special going on with it.
long term, i never buy the same brand or flavor of dog food… ever. I specifically do this so her stomach is used to changing diets. she doesn’t get sick, she doesn’t get the runs and her shit is the correct size that it should be for a dog her size.
I’ve never understood the 'pick a brand and never change it’s mentality. we don’t do it… why should they? vets tell me is confused their system and makes them feel sick… I say yeah, because you keep telling people to stick to 1 thing. if you have never eaten cheese, and you try it… you’re gonna hate yourself for it and think it’s the worst… until you eat more and your body gets used to processing it.
worst case, and many won’t like it… but the foods there dog… you’ll eat it eventually… you gotta be more stubborn then a Spitz dog unfortunately, but it’s the only way then know. stubbornness. never give in.
(I should add, I always look for high protine count, and NO CORN!.. that pretty much rules out everything made by Purina (thankfully) and 1 or 2 other brands. you cal always tell the garbage food… look for corn, and avoid it.
people eat with their nose, eyes and mouth. the smells of the restaurant and other people’s foods are the first thing that triggers the experience.
then seeing the other food guides with through the experience.
then your tastebuds finalize the experience… unless you’ve had spicy foods, in which case there’s 1 more sensation but that’s a story for another day.