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My 15 mth Lab has a gross bad habit!

19 11:07:01

Question
Well I am sure you guessed it by the subject line!  My 15 mth Lab is eating poopies! I am not sure if it is just hers or from our other older dog, or if she's indiscriminate. I know that a response in someone else's question that it was mentioned it is gross to us, but not them. But, ugh!  I am concerned.  She has been with us for about 1 month, she was given away by someone that wanted to try to mate her too soon, had a false pregnancy and didn't want her anymore.  They had her somewhat trained, I guess to calm her down for mating as she is still a puppy and I have been giving her time to adjust.  She's very good as far as puppydum goes, again due to some training, and I don't think she was allowed to really be a puppy so  I don't want to make her think in this new home she should be afraid. I've had a Lab from 3 mths old (who did this once or twice and got it to stop) also have a SPCA rescue mix breed which I still have and have been successful in all areas of training and breaking bad habits.  My husband and I are seemingly unable to do break this habit with her. She is sensitive to voice disipline so I don't know why we are having such a hard time.  Could there be a underly reason for this behavior (psychological) or any suggestions on additional tactics to curb this habit??

Answer
   I actually have a dog that used to have this problem

It is called 'Coprophagy' And there are a number of reasons why dogs may do this,such as trying to get more vitamins,because it tastes good or trying to keep there yard clean-it doesn't matter about the type of food they have so you can stay on the same brand

A few things you can do is clean the yard as soon as you can and there is are products called  'Dis-Taste''For-bid' and 'Deter' and what they are are little pills that just make there feces taste bad,and I have used this on my dog and she stopped in a matter of weeks

Also adding b Vitamins to the dog's diet will also help as that is the vitamin they sometimes seek in feces

so it is simple to treat and you don't have to yell at her or anything just a simple pill-and if she doesn't take it you can hide it in either a bit of hot dog or peanut,something soft but usually they just think it is a treat :) And it usually stops after being on the pills for a bit,also give the pills to the other dog as she is probably eating popp from both dogs

But it won't hurt to keep giving her vitamins either,can never have too much of a good thing-and you don't have to worry it isn't because of anything you are doing,it's just a habit she has,and sometimes dogs that have been kenneled or at a shelter for a long time will develop it,as a way to keep there area clean