I can assure you beyond doubt that a healthy dog will NOT starve itself to death. Your dog WILL eat dry food.

However, what your dog has learned is that he is stronger willed than you are, and that you will give in before he does. He has learned that you will always, without fail, give him something else if he refuses to eat dry food. Your dog has trained you well. In this little head game he is playing, you are losing.

Take your dog to the vet for a check up. If he is healthy, then put down a bowl of dry food and walk away. Period. Do NOT give in. If you do, the dog wins, you lose. He WILL eat it, in time.

You are the human, the owner, the alpha creature in the household ... or at least you SHOULD be. You get to decide what your dog eats, when he eats and how much he eats. Just do it. You will have a better behaved, healthier and happier dog for it.