My Labrador bitch started eating other dogs poo about a year or so ago. In March she had a litter of pups and obviously cleaned up after them when they were young. I kept a bitch puppy and she still eats the pups poo and now the pup has started doing the same thing. I have 4 dogs in total and do try and clean up after them but sometimes they beat me to it. Does anybody have any ideas how to stop them. I have tried pineapple (it did not work) If they eat the poo in the evening they sometimes have accidents during the night and it absolutely stinks. I am getting really fed up with the situation.

My girl had three litters in her previous home and came with the warning that she was a confirmed poo eater. I supervised every time she went out to toilet, removed the poo immediately, and rewarded her with excited praise and the 'prize' of a small but really tasty treat. It took the best part of a year to break the habit, but she now leaves her offering in clear sight - and waits for her expected reward. I still don't leave poo lying around, and my pocket always has a couple of treats. I have never broken our contract.

I sympathise, I have one avid poo eater, I wasn't surprised when his dna test came back positive for the POMC variant! In his case it's hunger (or he thinks it's hunger!) rather than a habit I think, though it's hard to tell. I've tried every available supplement/remedy/probiotic and changed his food several times, raw, grain free, some gran in but very good brands, cheaper brands - nothing made any difference to him. He will ask to go out after his dinner and try and find poo   So, not at all helpful to you but I wait to see what remedies people come up with.

Of course I discourage him, treat for leaving them, try and keep the garden poo free but none of it helps long term, you're just stopping him eating that one poo, and to stop him I call him and treat him - more food and he's on a constant diet!

The same dog, I guess because of this gene (lack of gene, not sure), is a terrible thief, he's eaten everything from a whole cooked turkey carcase (that was at the back of the counter), box 48 weetabix, envelope from online vet supplies with 12 worming pills and a pack of zylkene etc, he's survived all these things and still steals!

> raw, grain free, some gran in

too late to edit but no grans were harmed

Lol. Pleased the grans are all ok

My fcr has never been tested but her behaviour would also leave me to suspect she has the gene variant too. She will eat almost anything and never believes she is full. Permanently on a strict diet or she would be round !
Yes she is also a poo eater and unfortunately having tried allsorts apart from getting to it before her I've never found a solution either

Thanks for reply CaroleC but my problem is trying to keep an eye on all 4 dogs and running around after them to see who poos 1st.(it would be funny if it wasnt so annoying) my Wheaten Terrier is so afraid to poo he runs and hides in the bushes to get some privacy. I am now taking the 2 poo eaters in garden on leads seperately,clearing their mess away and then let other 2 out. I think the worst bit is the fact that when they do eat some and have an accident during the night the smell is disgusting. It definitely takes on a new smell. I shall persevere with taking them out individually.

Chaumsong - thanks for reply. I think part of my problem is pup has just copied mother and is now as bad as her. Like your dog if I take them in garden as soon as they are loose they seek out a poo to eat. I dont think they eat their own poo just other dogs. Im pleased no grans were harmed !!!!!! shall just persevere and walk them individually.

Why don't you just use muzzles to try and break the habbit.

I've not read your other comments but for us, the first time we saw this going on was with our then only bitch (we had her and 2 males) when she was pregnant.   I put this down to something lacking in her diet.   However, after her, I had various others who would do this unless I got out there to pick up IMMEDIATELY.   I could be heard yelling like some fish-wife if I wasn't out there, but more often than not, that just made them gobble it up faster!!    I tried pretty much everything to stop this - nothing worked, just picking up fast.

I am however, convinced that this has to do (with those who are not pregnant ) with feeding a cereal based food - which can mean it goes through not fully digested and so appeals!   Thankfully none of mind would pick up stools done by other dogs (horse droppings yes) but the worry if they do this is whether they might pick up infection or worms from other dogs.

If the food you use is cereal based, switch to something that lists meat or fish as the main ingredient (if you don't feed raw) which you should find means more of the food is properly digested, making the stool less appealing.

So basically adjust the diet, and PICK UP IMMEDIATELY.

PS   What went on with my gang definitely didn't apply to it being a habit learnt from their dams because not all would do this - and they were all related one way or another.

My poo eater is raw fed always has been and still does it .u had her tested for anything missing in her diet and all was fine   I dont know what started it  she hasn't been bred fron so no puppies to clear up from . She also isn't fussy if its hers in anyone else's.
So clearing up and diverting attention when we are out 
Funnily of the 4 dogs I've had my first gsd did it ,she suffered from a epi neither of the other 2 dogs did .
Unpleasant to say the least

My old RR used to love eating cat poo. Nothing missing in his diet and nothing worked to stop him doing it. Only cleaning up before he could get it.

Oh yes I had forgotten the cat poo .actually any poo will do

.actually any poo will do

Shades of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat

I’m going to be singing that for the rest of the day now!!

Lol so will I

> My poo eater is raw fed always has been and still does it .u had her tested for anything missing in her diet and all was fine   I dont know what started it

If the dog goes for what another dog, not living in his/her household, leaves, that doesn't mean that it isn't appealing (cereal-base diet).

It is nasty - bad breath is bad enough but if it's upchucked ........

She eats her own too which definitely has no cereal in .
I dont think research has come to a conclusion exactly what causes it and  may well be a mixture of.things as well.as habit.
Fortunately it doesn't make her sick or give an upset tummy just makes her stink when she has got to it in the garden before me . Not easy as she will dog up cat poo and I cant even find that .

Though there are definitely some medical reasons for eating poo and it's definitely worth ruling out, I think some dogs just enjoy eating it.

My American cocker ate poo all his life
I had to put him to sleep on Valentines day 2020 as he was diagnosed with abdominal cancer
He loved all poo snd he lived a happy life
He was 12 years 9 months
I am still depressed

> Dogs eating poo

Every single dog in it's lifetime will eat poo of any discription (theirs or others).  Nothing to do with lacking of dietary nutrients, it's
just another food source going back to basic instincts - the smellier the better,  All dogs given the chance roll in it.  That's about
camouflaging their smell to predators however awful it is - instinct.  Our lovely domesticated pets adopt behaviour characteristic
akin to their origins - normal!

Mozartbailey:> I am still depressed
You can never replace but you can fill a void with a new addition, totally different breed may help but I have just placed a Puppy
with a person who has visited me for over a year now, spending time with my adult dogs and showing no interest in a 'newbie'
When this person realised I had a planned litter, he was at the front of the que so maybe something for you to consider?