Dog issues

[sonyajoy]

my 1 year old lab mix eats other dogs/cats poop if she finds it while I walk her HELP!!! It really grosses me out & I know it is not good for her,how can I stop her? She finds it before I can stop her.

[Jaybay]

One of my dogs is a cat poo afficianado.  I have to keep a close eye on her when we go on walks or she'll have a full meal in 5 minutes.  Watch your dog's body language.  They always project what they're interested in, but some are more subtle about it than others.  Maggie always flicks an ear in the direction she's getting ready to move, so I can usually redirect her attention before she gets within swallowing distance.  

Definitely follow Nikkie's advice about the Leave It and Drop It commands.  Those commands can be true lifesavers if your dog goes after something toxic or dangerous like fireworks.  Also take a closer look at how you walk your dog.  If your dog is always ahead of you and pretty much does as she pleases, that's not really a constructive exercise.  She'll always beat you to the poo.  Use leash no longer than 6 feet and keep her right at your side or slightly behind.  You want her to get into a nice relaxed pace.  She can still pee all over everything, but only when YOU make the decision.  I usually keep my dogs right with me until they hit their groove, and then pull over for a sniff-and-pee at a convenient hydrant or tree.  If they're excited and acting like they have ADHD, we keep going until they're calm.  Remember: YOU are the boss!  :-)

[Sally_rocks]

I also have two labrodors, one of them used to do this (they are 3 now, since september, so they are a bit grown up).

I think it's just a thing labrodors do when they are puppies, it's best just to train her and maybe give her a more mix diet, i.e dried food, rice, chicken, etc.

[sonyajoy]

Thanks so much for your response.  I work from my house & spend alot of time with my dog because we I don't have any kids at home. I also make her fresh food using 2 different foods, Sojos & Pet Mix because she gets bored if I keep her on the same food so I rotate them when she starts loosing interest. I don't know of a higher quality food to feed her so if you can tell me of one please do. So I know those 2 reasons above are not why she eats other dogs & cats poop. Unfortunately my vet thinks she just likes the taste of it so now I am walking her with a shorter leash so I can keep a better look out for it. I just wish others would clean up after their dogs like I do. Thanks for your tips I will try them.

[nikkie1580]

Hi,I know what i am going to tell is gross and TMI but eating other animals poop is how the get info on that animal think about it what is the first thing a dog does when it meets another dog,it goes to it rear and takes a big sniff, it gives it lots of info on that dog.Eating poop is common she not the first and will not be the last dog to do that.I agree with the above post those are resons why dog eat poop but their own poop not other that that can be a easy fix, but it seems as if she is eating other poop not her own and that harder to fix.It could be a habit or she just plain out likes the taste of poop.Yes it is dangerous she can get tape worm and other unpleasant disease for it.So the best advice I can give you is teach her a leave it and drop it command .Here is away to teach it hope it helps:

Leave it!
Start with two treat one of very high value to her the other of less value to her, have her sit put the less value treat in front of her when she goes for it pick it up and say leave it keep doing this she will get it,then when she leaves it for a few seconds or turns away give her the high value treat (never the one she been leaving) say good leave it keep doing this, increase the time that she has to leave it before she gets the high valued treat.She will get it and when you go for that walk and she goes for the poop say leave it, now if she gets it in her mouth you would want to give her a drop it command

Drop it!
Get a toy ball or what ever she like and a favorite treat play with her with the toy stop show her the treat run it in front of her nose when she drop the toy say drop give here the treat say good drop it.She will get the point, do both a few times a day it will take time and patience but will pay off.
Hope this helps, let us know how it goes.

[lozzaj83]

Hi

Unfortunatly, dogs have a habit of eating other types of poop!
There is a good article where it lists some reasons why: http://www.pet-comfort-products.com/why-dogs-eat-poop.html

In summary to their findings:

It could be a signal for higher quality food, more food, less food, or more frequent meals. It could be related to your dog’s desire for more attention and interaction. Your dog might be eating poop out of instinct whereas in other cases it might a learned behavior from you or by watching other dogs.