How do I stop my dog rolling in horses poo?

Question

My dog is so good off lead, he comes on recall every time despite joggers, kids, lawnmowers etc being in the park. The only time he ignores my recalls and leave command is when he sees horses poo, sometimes he will eat it, other times he will roll in it. I want to stop both of these things, but mainly the rolling in it. Can anyone suggest anything that might help? I always have a selection of treats with me and his fav toy, but they don't work once he gets a whiff of that. If I see it, I put him on lead, until we are well away from it, but sometimes I forget as it stays there for days on end. thanks

Thank you to everyone that answered my question. My dog has a great recall and whistle recall except when around horses poo, so I think i will have to get use to that as there does not seem an answer, but I will ask my trainer incase he comes up with something. I did take 2 frisbees to the park today and made sure I had his attention 100% when going around the poo area and it worked, so that may mean at that stage I have to work harder. Even his excellent leave goes to pot when the horses poo is around.

Answer 1

Hi, I have a dog that was a bit of a mess when I first got him. I went to the vet and read all the books!!!! I found my dog responded well to treats when he had done well, and if there was something i didn't want him to do I filled a drinks bottle with little stones, if you drop it on the ground when your dog is going to do something you don't want him to do,he wont like the noise and so will be unsure-when he hesitates, reward him by patting him and a treat. repeat this until he gets the idea-it is best to try it on little things first (eating off a plate etc) so he associates the sound with a negative. also say NO when you drop the bottle. I hope this work for you. It does take a while and 5 mins of training a day should do the trick, but mix it in with sit, lie roll over and treats.

Answer 2

I have experienced this. There is something about horse manure that makes it an irresistible attraction to some dogs. Whether it is a primitive instinct to hide their scent I am not sure.You could also say why do male dogs wee up trees and lamp posts. Nothing I did would make much difference other than to keep the dog on the lead and drag him away,but this is not ideal as the dog does not have his usual run.I tried to avoid this by taking the dog for walks where there were no horses. He had quite a few good baths when he got home. He stank absolutely awful.

Answer 3

The only poo my dog comes into contact with that he doesn't try to eat is dog. He loves horse poo, sheep poo, cow poo, you name it if it's poo he loves it!! We live in the country and the farmers are spraying the fields now so a walk, even up the road, consists of lots of 'LEAVE's, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. Unfortunately he has a beard so it gets absolutely covered in it!! I'm sorry but I don't think there is an answer to this one, I certainly wouldn't stop walking him where he enjoys a run so I guess it's the hose when you get him home. I believe it is supposed to be full of minerals and good for a dog but it certainly isn't good for us to smell or clean up. Good luck and enjoy him anyway, whatever his little foibles.

Answer 4

Nearly all dogs do this, the only way to stop it is to get your recall 100% Try training on a whistle don't let your dog have its meal until you have blown the whistle so he associates whistle with food and always give a treat when he does come back. Practise in your garden and any time you want him he'll so learn.

Answer 5

I wish I knew - I have a dalmatian & 8 horses & even though my dalmatian is around my horses everyday the fascination with horse poo doesn't seem to decrease. Bet solution I have found is to buy a dog shampoo with a nice scent & invest in rubber gloves & a garden hose!

Good luck

Answer 6

I had a golden retriever who did that - never did find a cure. Dog was superb in every other aspect.
I never tried aversion therapy with one of those whistles that hurt dogs ears though. Maybe worth a go ... seek out horse poo, as soon as dog rolls / eats it blow whistle, repeat.
Good luck

Answer 7

dont take the dog anywhere where the is horses poo or keep the dog on a lead

Answer 8

Horse poo is actually a lot cleaner than dog poo.

Answer 9

Hehe, i know what you mean! My dog has a fettish for fox's poo! and omg does it stink!!!
Ive tryed different things to stop her doing this, but have given up!
When we go walkies i just make sure the hose pipe is ready for when we return!

Answer 10

I know it is a disgusting habit - I use to walk a dog who acted the same with sheep's poo.

Suggest you avoid all areas where there is likely to be something stinky to roll in.