foster won't eat!

have you taken a temp to rule out fever? Bad teeth can lead to whole body infections. I am assuming she's been fully vetted since she is a foster?

After you have eliminated any medical condition and if the dog is not in an emaciated state,  I would first try and find out what the previous owner was feeding her.  Next I would choose one type of dog food and consistently offer that food at a schedule time, maybe 2 or 3 times a day.  To help with the dog's appetite, I would squirt a little of Nutri-Cal on top. 

I think within the dog, you are creating a conflict choice of "satisfying hunger" versus the "pleasure of taste".  Dogs have a keen memory of smell and taste and will forgo the food in front of them in the hope that something else will be offered....and in your case there is a lot that you are offering. 

yes, she had been to the vet and everything has come back negative.  we are still waiting on her giardia test.  she does shiver and whine, but i was thinking she may be realizing that her puppies are gone or she misses her old doggie friends, certainly not the breeders!  she was shaved done so she has absolutely no hair on her.  i keep a sweater on her.

as to asking the breeders what she was fed, we were lucky to get the dogs out when we did and i'm sure she was being fed the cheapest food on the market.  so should i feed her the same thing reagrdless of whether she eats it?  and should i take it away if she walks away from it?  how long can she go without eating a meal?  she will take treats, i.e. canidae snap bisquits, cheese, turkey breast, but not always.

she is going in to be spayed and for a dental next friday.

she might not feel comfortable in your home. Dogs wont eat if they are nervous, stressed, etc. I'm sure her teeth hurt - and do not make eating plesant.

Whatever you offer her to eat - be prepared to offer that for the rest of the time you have her. With a dog with such bad teeth - I would do a straight canned food diet, JMO though.

If her mouth isn't the culprit, perhaps she's just nervous. A nervous or fearful dog wouldn't touch filet mignon.

It took Willow a very long time to adjust when we got her.  She had been outside and there were many changes for her to get used too--like your foster.  We didn't understand this adjustment period and had taken Willow to the vet and ER a few times in the first months.

Plus, your dog has the added stress of the pups not being around either. 

I'd feed her whatever she'll eat--I wouldn't worry about good nutrition at this point, just get her comfortable and eating.  You can change her over to whatever you prefer later on.  You could try some baby food too, the early stages without onion. 

I wouldn't worry about her eating full meals right now either, just feed her whatever she'll eat even if it's treats, whatever she'll take.  And, just give her more of it when she does take it.  As long as she's eating something. 

Be patient.  She's nervous, there's a lot of new scary things going on, plus she's got plenty of milk.  As she transitions from full-on nursing to dry, she won't need much to eat anyway.  She may miss meals for multiple days.  Just offer her good reasonably nutritious food on a regular schedule (take up anything she leaves), resist the urge to make a big deal of it or switch it up constantly, and give her some peace and quiet to absorb her new surroundings.  Assuming she stays healthy, she'll come around pretty quick, I guarantee!  Just make sure she continues to drink water regularly and watch for signs of mastitis.  Good luck!

 A healthy dog wont starve herself.  They usually begin to eat within 3 days or so.  Given her current condition, she may take a tad longer.... unless she has other worrying symptoms and assuming she has already had a full vet. exam. - don't worry!  Relax, this is totally normal and expected.

Pick a decent food and offer it at consistent times, no snacks between meals at this point.  I would take care of anything too rich... and I would go for a canned diet as this is probably easier and less uncomfortable for her to eat.

MANY dogs wont let their guard down to eat or play when in unfamilar and/or scary surroundings.  So to help her, just give her a predictable routine.  Don't lavish her with affection or training or anything much... just let her find her feet iin your home and give her time.

Kudos to you for helping this little dog!