My 12 week old puppy does not eat very much at meal times. She seem too distracted and will sometimes only eat if we are standing right there with her. She eats a few bites, then goes to play. I pick up the food after 30 minutes. Today, she barely ate anything. I tried putting her in her crate with the food dish. She ate right away, leaving just a few bites. Is this okay to do, or will it couse any behavior problems later?

Whilst it is OK for crate training, I don't recommend feeding in the crate. Put the food down 3 times a day for 15 mins, if she doesn't eat, take it up and leave until next meal time. What breed is she, what food are you feeding and what breed is she?

[Yogi]

actually this is the best way to feed a dog. It gives them some privacy which many dogs need when eating and at the same time assures the dog that the crate is a good place. I have raised dogs for 50 years and have always done this. Mine run to their crates when they know it is meal time and wait. I close them up and generally even cover their crates. They have no problem finishing their meals. With 17 it also helps to avoid those that like to check out other dogs dishes for any left overs.

She is a chocolate lab/ border collie mix.

Brian when he was a weeks old...
he used to eat in crate too...
I guess there is no problem with that...
If that way your dog can eat better...