why do dogs eat crap?

[dragonlady1380]

does anyone know why dogs eat their own crap its driving me nutz

[Ailsa]

Originally Posted by dragonlady1380

does anyone know why dogs eat their own crap its driving me nutz

Well there are lots of ideas put forward about this in lots of forums, but it seems to me that no one really knows for definite. When Ailsa was a pup she did it, but I used to try to get to her first and tell her sharply to leave it, which she did. On the occasions I missed it, she woofed it down with relish. I know, gross..............
She has grown out of it now though, although is still partial to the kitty litter and the occasional goat dropping. It's difficult if they are off the lead because of course you have to sprint!

[wildmoor]

Theres various reasons, sometimes its learned behaviour the only one I have eat it is one that was crated, he didnt want to sleep where he soiled it took me years to stop him, some do because they are curious and then find they like the taste and some do it due to incorrect diet or problems with absorbing nutrients from the diet.

[tazman]

I have heard that if you put a chunk of pineapple in the dogs food, when eaten it works with the enzymes and makes the poo less attractive,it takes a while to work tho

[Hammy]

Well... I kinda do things based on Wolfpack theory, and some traditional ways too. I have kind of adapted my own way of doing things from what I have learnt. Not everyones cup of tea I know but it has served me well over the past 10 years to understand my dogs.

Anyway if you believe that dogs still have an amount of wild instincts about them as I do then there is one more explananation, and that is a Wolf will eat its own poo on purpose to stop being tracked. So in a way it's a kind of built in defence system.

(Have to say I have heard it might also mean a dog might need worming, particularly if it is looking for extra food. But then again if the worming is up to date then that becomes less of a probability. One that would need checking with the vet)

[dragonlady1380]

her worming is up to date and she has done it all her life. the worst part is when she burps in ur face afterwards i almost puke, yuck
thanx for the advice tho

[LOVEGSD]

I was told by a lady who rescues Shepherds that bitches do it as they are used to clearing up the whelping pen?!?! I'm not sure how true this is though....

[Explorer]

Originally Posted by LOVEGSD

I was told by a lady who rescues Shepherds that bitches do it as they are used to clearing up the whelping pen?!?! I'm not sure how true this is though....

This is the reason Jason was a poo pincher when he was a pupper It took us a few weeks to break the habit, it was behaviour he learnt from his mum. Thankfully he does not eat his own anymore, but I do have watch that he doesnt go into the chickens fenced off area, give him a head start and he will happily enjoy cleaning up after them (yuk)

Oh, and he is quite partial to bunny poo too

[LOVEGSD]

Originally Posted by Explorer

This is the reason Jason was a poo pincher when he was a pupper It took us a few weeks to break the habit, it was behaviour he learnt from his mum. Thankfully he does not eat his own anymore, but I do have watch that he doesnt go into the chickens fenced off area, give him a head start and he will happily enjoy cleaning up after them (yuk)

Oh, and he is quite partial to bunny poo too

It's so gross isn't it! Diesel's only ever eaten some horse poo once, but he's never done it since. My friends Staff/Lab always eats poo and then pants in your face - god it made me feel sick

[AllyCat]

My 16 wk GSD does it then comes up for kisses! EEWWW I do try and stop her but she is fast! Thankfully its only her own and I'm hoping she will grow out of it