How can I stop my dog from eating other animals' feces?

Question

I have a one year old dog who shares a yard with a couple other older dogs. He has been spotted on many occasions eating the other dogs' poop and I was just wondering why he does that. I've read a little about it from different sources and some people say it can be associated with potty-training but he is already trained. I've also noticed that he doesn't eat his food right away when I feed him, almost as if he waits until he's really hungry. Could this mean he may have a digestion problem or does he just like to eat poop? Any suggestions on how I can stop it?

Answer 1

There are products and training videos and books out there, but honestly, the best way to prevent the activity is supervision. If you're unable to supervise the turnout they're getting in the yard (or you'd like to leave them out for fresh air), then pick up everything in the yard at the beginning of their time out.

I will say that I had mild success (with my lab) by feeding my other dog (whose poop she would eat) pills meant to deter the behavior. You can find them in a variety of pet stores.

Best of luck...

Answer 2

I have heard of a dog trainer that got an electric shock collar for a dog that liked to eat feces. The trick was to let the dog run around ( not paying attention to you) and when the dog starts to eat the feces, the dog trainer would give the dog an electric shock. That way every time the dog tried to eat feces, the dog was shocked. This way the dog associates the feces eating with something negative (the electric shock).
There are also pills or something that you can mix in with your dogs food that will make their feces taste bad and thus discourage the dog from eating it's own feces.
Also dogs eat feces when they are lacking vitamins in their diet. So you might want to take the dog in for testing to make sure the dog is getting the proper nutrition.