We believe our new puppy is eating his poop...what to do?

Question

we can smell that our toy spitz has gone poop because the whole room will stink and it makes me gag but unless we actually see him do it we can never seem to find the poop.

This morning the smell was so strong it woke me and I could barely breath. I got my hubby up and we looked all over the bedroom floor but found nothing and the smell seemed to weaken as we looked. My hubby swears he saw him in the corner looking like he was eating something but I didn't see him.

We have him in a small area of about 3x3 feet next to our bed. But looked and looked and did not find.

Hubby took him outside and he did NOT poop like he normally does....he only peed several times and he did do that on the wee wee pad that was in one corner of his "room".

Can he actually be scarfing down what he is putting out within a few secs and if so....can't he get really sick from that?

Also, he does try to eat other dogs poop when we walk him.

This is disgusting me. I don't know what to do!

Answer 1

LOL, Yeah, it is disgusting, but believe it or not, very normal.

Just like all of the other training you have to do, you have got to teach the pup not to eat that as well. It's aggravating and can be time consuming but you need to pick up the poop after he goes, which means following him around and pushing him out of the way after he goes. All while telling him no. If you leash him to go outside, you can simply pull him away. Hopefully he isn't crate trained or you will alot of difficulty with this type of training obviously. Good news is
they usually out grow this behavior.

I have bigger dogs so it was alot easier for me than it will be for you, I suggest that you might go to a "Pet Smart" or somewhere similar and go toward the back of the store and there are usually trainers back there walking around to help people with their questions. (and to solicit classes.) The usually have great suggestions.
By the way, I've never heard of a dog getting ill from eating it, more likely it's just the owners who suffer from nausea!! lol

Good Luck

Answer 2

Only thing I can add is the Mom's do it as it is part of the cycle...
so he's still young and now on his own. Seems odd but nature is often confusing. I was always around as I first fed our pups. Paper plates and mashed food with milk. Then remove plate asap or it's dinner also. Encourage him to eat. Love & support with direction. Otherwise the store stuff but I tend to stay away from that. Or did... we got Melekai fixed after 3 perfect litters of 10 each. Enuff already ! Best of luck and enjoy the doggie. They do take alot of work but the rewards as purely worth it. Aloha.

edit: Now I have a 80 lb Lab 5 yrs old this Thursday... eating everything yet still loves to roll in poop when we go for walks! It's aweful but? Some things never change :)

Mele just reminded me... does the puppy have enough chew toys? no need spend money just a knot in a sock, a rubber slipper? we also gave the littles ones outside large branches all under supervision as they learn... chewing is vital right now, atleast with large breeds... beware of placing the right item in there or your stuff becomes target next !

Answer 3

Very normal for a puppy to do this. They will eat (or try to) about anything including but not limited to poop, rocks, flowers, grass... Nothing to worry about. Try to control the area and time in which the dog does relieve itself and then clean it up as quickly as possible. If it is not around, the pup is less likely to eat it.
Good Luck

Answer 4

there is a powder that u put on top of his food so when he eats it, it will give a bad flavor if he tries to eat his poo,
but i think the absolute best was pills (u can get at pet supply like petco,petsmart) u give it to him twice a day. and he will stop eating. also, it can be his food, have u recently changed it? because the food may not be digesting and his poo still has the food intact in it and thats why he is eating it.
if u by some chance can get to his poo before he eats it, put hot sauce, and when he give it a lick! he will learn his lesson.. doesnt harm him. but he will get the idea.

Answer 5

my pup used to do the same thing. Puppies are like kids, they know they'll get in trouble for things you react negatively to like wetting the bed (for children) and pooping on the floor (pups). The first instinct for either one of these young minds is " if i hide it, mommy and daddy wont be mad at me". just be sure to take your puppy out 10-15 minuets after eating and get all happy and excited when it poops out side, when you let your dog know it did a good job it'll do it more often because most dogs only want to a.) have fun and b.) please their care takers.

good luck with your lil' problem

Answer 6

check with your vet there is something you can put inn his food that will make his poop bitter and hence will break the habit. It may not be dangerous for him to eat his own but eating other dogs poo could be very dangerous for him so stopping it now would be in his best intrerest. Good luck!

Answer 7

Look on ebay for FOR-BID or call your vet they can get it too.You put it on the food and it makes it so they will not want to eat it ..Good luck

Would like to add if it smells that bad I know poo smells BUT if it is really that bad look into new food . They poo less and not so smelly with better brands !! Cheaper is just that CHEAP!!

Answer 8

my dog did that too...he will grow out of it. until then unless you are willing to go around picking up every poo you think he'll come in contact with there's really nothing you can do.

Answer 9

There is a product that makes their poop taste bad (go figure).

Answer 10

It's called "pica" and it's pretty common (and pretty disgusting!). Go here for some help!