I'm really struggling with this with Molly. None of my other dogs have ever done it. I find it difficult to let her be 'friendly' and to play with her when I know she's just done this. I find I'm pulling away from her and pushing her away. Would rather she was a kennel dog than a house dog. My weakness I know, but its just one of those things I find VERY difficult.
Dog are disgusting aren't they? Stanley loves eating poo - luckily not his own, but cow, horse, cat, sheep and rabbit all seem a delicacy. Then he thinks he's coming to give me kisses.. Riteo mate
Make sure you clean up immediately she has a poo if you can. Perhaps train her to 'have a poo' on command then you can pick it up as she does it. I have managed to stop a friend's Lab from eating another dog's poo, by telling her to leave it and offering a much better treat. Plus telling her in a cross voice not to do it!
Ripple says no treats are better than poo . We are having some success when he's on the lead - but off the lead I've got no chance.
Ah Fay ,it's grim isn't it but you can train it out... Have a read of this http://www.thelabradorsite.com/why-dogs-eat-poop-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/ Pippa explains the reasons for this horrible habit and how you can tackle it. Dexter was a snaffler....cat poo in the park ,camel and horse in the desert ....awfully!Training a really strong Leave It helped me .....takes time but it saves you in this situation....he regressed a bit when we were in the UK in the Summer and had a couple of sheep poo nibbles ....but he got his straight on again after he realised he'd get a meatball if he left it!
Thanks Dexter, I've read the article and will have a go at the 'magic word' method. We do try to clean up every time, but we do have a large garden and occasionally something gets missed. So far it seems to be only her own poo she's trying, although she sniffs a lot at them when out, she hasn't tried any other dog's efforts - yet She is also a general rubbish eater. When we get in to the lane to start a walk, there is inevitably a lot of stuff on the ground, at the moment acorns and their cases, conkers, leaves, twigs, other unidentifiable substances that I'd rather not try to identify Molly proceeds like a vacuum cleaner, if we turn round the area of lane we've walked is miraculously cleared of everything and I'm also finding it difficult to stop this. I've almost got to the point of putting a muzzle on her to prevent it. I am also wondering if the steroid she is still on could be a contributing factor in both the poo and rubbish eating, does anyone think this could be possible?
Steroids do increase appetite ...but I really think this is about a young dog exploring it's environment with its mouth and nose ....it's sooooooo common,there are posts and posts about it. Dexter trailed a long line behind him for a long time! This wasn't so much about the poo,he was still picking up prehistoric bones out in the desert ,the line gave me control of him if he wouldn't give up his prize .....it's not a suitable method though for everyone,I walk in very quiet open spaces so there's nothing much to get in a tangle with.... Dexter would give anything up for a bit of sardine or warm roast chicken ...are you using really High value treats so that helps a 'leave It' Stopping them legging it over to something gross in the first place comes down to you being much more fun and appealing than the nasty thing they want to get to...so lots of toys and games on your walk can help with that ....
I'd say that your best bet would be to restrict access to the garden on her own. She only goes out there when you're out there with her and can supervise her, so you know when she's had a poo and can pick it up immediately. If she's not given the opportunity to eat it for long enough, she may just grow out of it. She doesn't need to have unsupervised access to the garden, if you feel bad about that - plenty of people don't have the luxury of a secure garden, so their dogs only ever go out there when they're accompanied. It won't hurt her to not allow her to.
Thanks snowbunny, this is what we'd concluded was the best way forward. Foolishly, in light of what's happened, we have allowed her into the (secure, large) garden on her own. A bit lazy on my part I now think From now on, and in due course with the help of an established 'magic word', one of us will always accompany her into the garden, shovel at the ready. Thanks everyone for your replies, very much appreciated.
