My GSD eats poo !!!!

Vinnie · #1 10-03-10, 09:57 AM

I have alovely 18 month old GSD and have had her since December 09. Just recently, she has started eating other dogs poo when we are out for a walk. I live in Cornwall and she comes out with me off the lead over the cliffs and through the woods, but this habit is really disgusting. She eats my horses poo and I can bear that, but other dogs poo??? Grose. She is not doing it for attention. She gets loads. I play with her when we are out and chuck balls and stuff for her. We play chase but when we are walking, and she ispadding on ahead of me, she will stop and eat other dogs poo. She is on a good diet so I am sure its not a lack of vitamins or such. Does anyone else have this problem ??

Also, she has masticular muscle mysosis (I think I have spelt that right !!) She could not open her mouth wide when she yawned and yelped so I took her to the vet and they have just taken a blood test, but they are pretty sure thats what she has got. She is losing muscle around her skull and you can see she is becoming a bit boney headed !! Apparently this is quite common in big dogs especially GSD's. Does anyone else's dog have this?? She is on a high dose of steroids which should sort it out..fingers crossed. I would be interested to hear from anyone on both the above topics !!

talknerdytome · #2 10-03-10, 10:14 AM

It could be that she is low on potassium, which poo is rich in (yum! lol) so try giving her some banana, or anything else you can find that has a lot of potassium in. My Mum's cavalier used to do this, and it's relatively common. Does she know the leave command? You could also try this with her whilst giving her the nutrients. What is she eating atm out of interest?

Having looked on the net it appears that steroids affect the normal absorption of potassium/sodium/calcium, so it looks quite likely that this is the problem! Have a word with your vet.

Vinnie · #3 10-03-10, 10:58 AM

Thanks for that..I hope yo are right. bananas it is..She is really greedy so I think she will eat them as she eats everything else !!

Poly · #4 10-03-10, 11:37 AM

Ive heard Pineapple is also a remedy for this one....good luck

lisyonok · #5 10-03-10, 12:54 PM

Tinned pineapple only helps to stop her eating her own poo, as it makes it smell repulsive after it comes out the other end.
If she decides she doesn't like banana (like mine did - said it was too slimey), mash it up with a bit of goats yoghurt, stuff it in a kong and put it in a freezer - she'll love the banana icecream!
If she still eats poo and ignores the leave command, you could try the Dog Stopper spray, available from Pets At Home, it makes a loud hissing noise, that is supposed to startle the dog and interrupt the unwanted behaviour.
I have to walk mine on a long line in the countryside, as she eats rabbits, and if she gets hold of one, she will not put it down, no matter how loud I shout at her. So, if all ense fails, you can try walking her on a long line.

sami · #6 10-03-10, 01:05 PM

See I told you we should put this on the homepage!!

It is a common problem in my opinion especially with bitches dont know if anyone else agrees.

Not wanting to dispirit you but Sami is 12 and I have never managed to stop her other than to watch her like a hawk.

Good luck.

Kissy1921 · #7 10-03-10, 02:01 PM

Eeeeeeeeeeeeew, they are so disgusting at times, why do we love them? lol

Vinnie · #8 10-03-10, 03:26 PM

Well to be honest, I am glad that it is not just my girl that has this disgusting anti-social problem !!! Not that I would wish it on any other owners but it always helps to know that you are not the only one... No more licking me though !! yuuuuuuuuk....

Doglover2010 · #9 27-03-10, 04:04 PM

We bought some tablets on the internet and have nearly finished them and they still eat their poo! I did try pineapple juice mixed in with their food but that didn't stop them so I might just given them some pineapple chunks and see if that helps! Our main problem is that the pups are in the kitchen and we can't always catch them even if we let them outside which we do regularly, they sometimes come back in and if we turn our backs they've done (yuck) but I adore them all the same.

Good choice to put this on the home page! Its good to see that its such a common problem, my husband thought it was just out two that were odd!

T'sAndC's · #10 12-05-10, 11:40 PM

We've had this issue as well. A lot of pups do it. A lot of dogs sniff it and go in the opposite direction, with mine, he actively seeks it, even rabbit poop! Dread to think what his first walkies will be like with other poops around :S.

Pouring tabasco sauce over a hot steamy number 2 did the trick and Spkye's not been so kean to try to have a wee munch of his delicacy as he's thought twice after the first few times.

It's gotten even better since I've started giving him a fifth of a frozen banana each day.