I have a 5mo old Jack Russell puppy, he has started eating feces from my 6yr old schnauzer. what can i do.?

Question

I have out side kennel but they do not spend much time only to do their business and i clean it up right away so not to encourage the situation. I have never had a dog to do that before. What do your users suggest I do to stop this activity?

Answer 1

Some dogs can't resist a tasty morsel of feces. These dogs will eat their own excrement or
that of another dog. Some prefer horse feces, others cat feces. Frozen feces are popular in
the winter time. Why do dogs do this?

In the past it was believed that feces eating, also known as coprophagia, was caused by
either poor diet or poor health. However, this theory is not supported by current research.
"Behavioral research has discounted the idea that it is a dietary deficiency or a pancreatic
enzyme deficiency," says Dr. Jo Ann Eurell, a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist at
the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. "Dogs are historically scavengers,
and this is believed to be a scavenger behavior.

"It is important for dog owners to know that this behavior is normal for a mother dog with
pups," adds Dr. Eurell. Newborn pups must learn to urinate and defecate. The mother
teaches the pups by licking their bottoms. The pups respond to this "tickle" by urinating and
defecating. The mother then consumes the pups' excrement, which serves two protective
purposes: it keeps the den area clean and it removes smells that could attract a predator.
Some pups learn this behavior from their mothers and will stimulate themselves and
consume their own feces. Most pups stop by the time they are weaned.

It is more difficult to understand why adult dogs eat feces. Some dogs will learn this
behavior from other dogs. In some cases, eating feces may be an attention-seeking
behavior. For some dogs it is possibly due to anxiety or boredom. Most often the
motivation for eating feces is just not known.

Owners find this habit in their pet disgusting -- particularly when the consumed feces are
thrown up all over the new carpet. In addition to being socially unacceptable, eating feces
exposes the dog to parasites and diseases. So, what is a dog owner to do?

"Eating feces is a problem that is easier to prevent than to cure," says Dr. Eurell. "Don't
allow the opportunity to arise. Keep the dog's yard clean by disposing of feces promptly.
Move the cat box out of the dog's reach. If cleaning the outdoor area is not feasible, then
keep the dog on a leash or use a muzzle when outside."

There are some "cures" that have been used with limited success. Punishment generally only
works in the early stages, before the behavior becomes habitual. Feeding the dog MSG,
garlic, or pumpkin is believed to give feces a bad taste, making it less attractive to the dog.
Other products can be applied to the feces directly; however, dogs are very perceptive and
can probably distinguish between tainted and untainted feces.

The best solution is to supervise the dog and not let it develop the habit. If you would like
further information about this behavior, contact your local veterinarian.

Answer 2

You have two things that you can try (other than standing over them and watching).

1. Buy an additive that you can put in the schnauzer's food that may help deter the puppy.

2. Feed a better food. Sometimes dogs 'recycle' feces because they aren't getting something they need. Switch to a ultra premium diet and you may help stop this, but you may also have less poop in general and healthier dogs.

I'll link to some useful information below. : )

Answer 3

It is normal for dogs to eat things that humans find disgusting, feces, dead animals, etc.

There are nutritional aids that you can buy, try a pet store or go to www.drsfostersmith.com.

Let the puppy know that this behavior displeases you. He can learn, especially from a Young age.

Answer 4

Dogs will eat their own poop and other animals' poop. Mine eats the cat poop. We have to put up a child-safety gate at the top of the stairs every night so that he won't go down to the basement and eat out of the litter box. X-P
I'm not sure exactly why they do this or how to stop it, but "i d mac viaeu" gave a good answer.

Answer 5

Try adding pineapple to their food as it often deters them eating feces. Also leave some of their business out and sprinkle with chilli powder.. These ideas might help.. Many dogs eat their feces and quite often it cannot be deter ed.

Answer 6

Pickup after you schnauzer more often.
Divide the kennel to separate the dogs.

Answer 7

Stick a BUNG up the SCHNAUZER`S A**E.
That will stop the problem.
joking apart ALL dogs do this,it is part of their nature and is not a great problem,unless he/she gives you a BIG SLURP after.
You can as I did put a MUZZEL on him/her every time you see it near a poop,did that with my "YORKIE "with the problem with eating slugs and snails out of the garden.
Good luck, but do not worry too much about it.

Answer 8

Thats just what dogs do?? Dont know why? My Yorkie male was eating his own. I had noticed while mowing that i never run the mower over any. Started watching him and??? U guessed it!!
Maybe the proteins in it?

Answer 9

Maybe u wont have to potty train him. It is normal Vitamins and minerals is what hes craving. this really is normal as sick as it is hes just a dog. Puppies need extra vitamins and minerals. They are still growing. Its like when a child eats dirt. Their craving a mineral.

Answer 10

This is not uncommon. Dogs were wild once. Stop him. Say "no!' very sternly. Get him away from the feces.