Hi everyone

I have probably read every single thing that has been printed on dog coprophagia (or at least it feels like it! :-) ) and have also looked back on the postings here to give me some more information. But I wanted to ask for people's advice on my specific situation.

Os is a GSD (coming up for 2 years) neutered male. We go to obedience and agility with him and although we still have some behavioural issues with visitors we have ironed out most of the problems with sound training. He is feed Burns Lamb and Rice - just over a cup in the morning with some garlic, and then another cup + a bit in the evening. At the weekends instead of the Burns in the evening he gets a RMB. We had numerous problems getting weight on him right up until a few months ago and now he has filled out to a healthy size and seems to be 'growing' into himself - he weighs about 33.5 kilos.

He is exercised in the garden and also walked every other day. We also practise his obedience / agility most nights and generally try and spend time with him. Food wise we have tried several different foods but have settled with the Burns as the protein content / additives in other foods made him very hyperactive.

The problem is that he has reoccurring coprophagia - he will go for weeks with no problems and then suddenly it all starts again. He used to do it as a pup but we thought that he would grow out of it but no. We have tried all the alternatives: Deter, Tabasco, pepper, giving pineapple etc in his food, clearing up straight away after him but if we miss just one lot - dinner!!

So, do you think that there could be something wrong medically with him? I am thinking of some kind of gastro problem as I know that GSDs can be prone to this? Any other thoughts?

Cheers
Jayne

I have read (in Dr. Billinghurst's book re. raw diets) that eating faeces is a natural thing for dogs fed on a commercial dog food to do. Apparently it is their way of getting the bacteria, enzymes and other 'live' stuff that they need for the normal functioning of their digestion. Apparently it also does no harm. I've even read elsewhere of someone being recommended by their vet to feed horse manure to their dog who had some sort of digestive trouble (although I can't remember the source of this information, so not sure how true it is)! I know horse manure is bit different to dog poo, but still... Billinghurst suggests feeding live yoghurt to help with digestive bacteria. [Well, actually he suggests a totally raw diet, but the benefits of this seem to still be the subject of raging debate between vets, nutritionalists, and BARF supporters, with scientific research erring on the side of caution (i.e. not feeding raw). I am just giving a potted version of my own reading experiences, and am in no way endorsing one diet or another, as I know that in iteslf is a subject of much discussion on this forum!]

Why not try a couple of dessert spoons of live yoghurt mixed with the non-garlic meal (I seem to remember from my knowledge of human nutrition that garlic to some extent negates the effect of live yoghurt - I think it is a slightly anti-bacterial). The live 'good' bacteria in the yoghurt should help his digestion. It's also a good thing to feed if your dog has been on antibiotics as it helps replace the usual gut bacteria that the antibiotics will have killed. It is worth a go.

Also, you're not alone, as most dogs I've known eat poo to a greater or lesser extent. I know it's not pleaseant for us humans, but I'm not aware that it does harm to the dog. As you've clearly discovered, there is loads of info online re. how to stop your dog eating their poo, but not sure how effective any of it is!

Good luck with your boy. Take care, Imp. :)

Hi

I'll defintely try the live yoghurt. He loves it as sometimes I will give it to him for a treat if we have some in the fridge. Fingers crossed it will make a difference!

Thanks
Jayne

Oddly enough,there is an article in Our Dogs on this topic written by Trevor Turner, makes interesting reading. This is last Friday's edition. 5th Sept.