Is your dog a finicky eater? You can get her eating regularly with a "tough love" approach.

Because health issues can contribute to a lack of appetite, you must have your pet thoroughly checked out by your veterinarian before you start any retraining. If all checks out, follow these rules:

Rule No. 1: No food except for your dog's regular food. Many dogs learn by accident that if they turn up their noses at their regular diet, they'll be offered yummier options. During the retraining, stick to one brand of high-quality food -- your veterinarian can offer a recommendation.

Rule No. 2: No free-feeding. Your dog will now eat two meals a day, one in the morning and one at night. Water, of course, should be available at all times.

Rule No. 3: One half-hour for meals, no more, no less. Put your dog's dish down in an area with few distractions, such as a laundry room with a baby gate across the opening. Set a timer for 30 minutes. Whatever your dog hasn't eaten at the end of that time gets tossed.

Your dog will not be harmed if she misses a couple of meals or goes a couple of days without eating -- assuming, of course, that she is healthy to begin with. A healthy dog won't miss many meals before hunger will have her eating what you set in front of her, on a regular basis.

Don't try this "tough love" approach on cats. When a cat stops eating, the action can trigger a fatal liver disease. Talk to your veterinarian about any concerns you have regarding your cat's eating habits.

Pet Rx is provided by the Veterinary Information Network (VIN.com), an online service for veterinary professionals. More information can be found at www.veterinarypartner.com.