Cross Breeds

my dog eats other dogs poop?

He knows the "leave it" command very good, but nothing works with poop. The problem is, especially at night, I can't see any poop on the ground, especially since the ground is covered with brown leaves or poop hidden in snow..and at night I just can't see it at all, and I can't hold a flash light because I walk 2 dogs at once. When I see him put his head down to sniff, I try to see if there's poop. IF there is poop, if the dog sees me looking, he scarfs it down. If I say "leave it" he just eats it fast too. Even when I pull the leash away, it's too late. Nothing works. no high value treats (hotdogs, cheese, apples) If he's off leash, and I see him trying to eat poop, I say as firmly as I can "Leave it! COME!" but he sees me coming and runs away while swallowing. When he finishes eating, he comes to me with his head down and tail wagging to appease. What can i say???? I just say "good dog (for coming). ok" When he's on leash, I do say No when he eats it. He keeps getting hookworms from this. So I really need help. My neighborhood has a lot of dogs, apparently they aren't picking it up, which makes me mad since I have poop bags in every pocket I have on. and I take them to an off leash woods trail for their main exercise. so there's poop all over there. any ideas what I can do to get him to listen to "leave it" for poop???? He does "leave it" perfect for anything else. Rotts, unfortunately thats only if the dog is eating his own poop, because the pineapple makes their poop taste bad. but he eats other dog poop (and deer poop)

Public Comments

1. Perhaps use a squirt bottle when you see him eating the poop? Curbing this habit is pretty hard, I have a dog who indulges in his own feces. There are a few theories as to why dogs eat poop (whether it be their own, or others): It's a learned behavior (watching the mother do it as a pup, or seeing their owners scoop poop), they're doing it for attention, or they've learned that poop tastes great and sometimes there can be food in it! (that's if the feces they're eating is from a dog who eats low quality food) I can't tell you why your dog is doing it, since I can't figure out why MY dog is doing it. But I've tried a few tricks with my dog (unfortunately he is stubborn, they've all failed);because he's eating his own poop it's a bit easier for me. I've tried 'Forbid', the "leave it" command, Pineapple, cleaning the yard more often, it's just a difficult task. Only thing I could suggest is using a halti-lead while on walks. This way when you notice he is going to eat the poop, instead of pulling his whole body away, the lead will turn his head and may divert him from getting to the feces. Good Luck
2. try to pull hes leash and mabye start getting a small leash! and then it would be easier to pull his leash! and u might want to punish him until he learns his lesson but dont worry ive seen other dogs do it! but he might get sick is he carries on and mabye u should try a new command instead of leave it
3. I heard from many poop eating dog owners that a couple of tablespoons of pineapple in the food will help. Sorry start buying pineapple by the truck load and chase down every critter and dole out the pineapple. J/K LOL
4. I would suggest giving him another command that is going to be way better then food. We have taught my dog the really reliable recall which is different from your regular recall because your practice 2-3 times a day and praise and treat for 1-2 minutes. You stand there slowly giving your dog treats in a happy voice for a good minute or two. No matter what she's doing she snaps around and darts over. I would use high value treats like warmed up hot dog. She only get warmed up hot dog when practicing your really reliable recall. And you don't shout, but you'd say it loud and firmly. You have someone holding your dog a distance away and you do a different recall word. Like our word is now, and you say with their name. "Shayna Now!!!" or you can do quick or come now or hondale, whatever you want. The first time the person holding your dog should run with him sso he goes to you and you can be like good, good as he's coming towards you. You want to make sure every time you practice this command it is done right. Another thought would be a variation of this, but the leave it command. You could say no eat or no touch and when you say it loud and firmly you take your high value treats and keep walking with the lead with a happy voice treating for a minute or two. Good luck, and feel free to e-mail.