Hi Scooby, I stressed alot about Blaze and eating for the first half of his life. Tried leaving for 15 min then taking away, tried doctoring it up with cooked groud lamb, chicken or beef and he still was hit and miss. But he grew at an appropriate rate and seems now to be a perfect weight - 51 lbs @17months old. I started leaving it to dry kibble only - that cooking for the dog got to be a little rediculous - but he liked it better softened with water. He only eats once a day 2-3 cups, and I put in in his bowl and let him eat it when he wants. I guess its not really free feeding because I don't refill til the next day. I will add plain cooked beef or chicken if i have it but it's not a daily thing. They will eat when hungry . But it seems from the posts that there are alot of picky eaters among V's out there. Anyway i guess my point is that I stressed about taking it away after 15 min but when I stopped doing that it worked out anyway.