Hi, got a seven month lab, just had her first season and ever since she's been really scavenging when we go walkies, and yes, eating other doggies poo poo (she doesn't go at home so is never left with her own doings though I'm sure she'd eat that too). Now, we also weaned her from puppy to adult food (both Hills) at six months so it's not really clear to me whether this has happened because of her season or because of the food change. I doubt there's anything I can do to stop her, I'm also guessing that like children the more I tell her off for doing it the more she will do it!).

Any ideas? Are there any vitamin supplements I could/should try maybe if she's missing out on minerals ?

There a lot of reasons why dogs eat poo.....

I think, in a lot of cases, the predominant reason is, it tastes good.

Ok, that sound gross, but commercial pet food is often so high in sugars and fats, that the waste products are often still pretty palatable to a dog (lets face it, for an animal that thinks rotting meat is nice, a bit of poo is nowt!).

How many times a day is she fed?

If she is feeling a little hungry, then eating what ever snacks she comes across is pretty understandable.

Of course, it 'could' be an imbalance in her diet, or hormonal, or behavioural, or a combination of all these things.....

Yes you CAN stop her from eating things she finds... however you need to teach her a fantastic 'leave' command, and couple that with a really great reward, so that 'leave' means 'dont eat that, you can eat THIS'......

Em

there are loads of theories as well as tasting good.
like naturally in the wild they would eat to prevent their natural predators from knowing they were about.
also if dogs realise you dont like it in the house they might eat it to hide it from you.etc
search canine coprophagia in the web you find some more!

It could be connected to her season, afterall bitches clear up after their pups maybe this is what she thinks she is doing ?

Claire :)

Hi Alic - no idea what makes them do it, but I do know how to stop it!   Add a dessertspoon of canned crushed pineapple to the food once a day.  This has worked for me on several occasions, and once cured they do not seem to revert to this awful behaviour again.

Hi all,
Thanks for your advice. The pineapple theory is particularly interesting - I've added it to my shopping list! I suppose my main concern has always been whether she could catch anything from it, we don't live in a fantastic area and I wouldn't put it past some of the people here to not get their dogs vaccinated properly (far more important to spend your money on beer and ciggies!).

Cheers!

Ali

Hi Alic,

My bitch is 7 years old and has done it all of her life :(  she is on a BARF diet and I have tried pineapple, this doesn't work with her! Unfortunately it happens regardless, I have another dog and he doesn't do it at all. She eats his and her own and the only way we manage it is to clear it up and when we are out, distract her so that she forgets about it. I have had many dogs over the years and i have found some do it and some don't. Sorry I cant be of more use,
Jo