I had a Dobie long ago that would eat poop, but only the poop from my dachshund (we called them tootsie rolls, LOL). It was a problem because almost every time he did it, he would proceed to vomit the masticated poop back up a few minutes later. One time I was showing my house to a realtor, and he ran up to greet her, then proceeded to vomit poop on the carpet right at her feet. Can you imagine?!?!?
I tried different things but the only thing that helped was keeping the backyard poop picked up as often as possible.
Some researchers suggest is might have been our nutrient-rich poop that attracted Ice Age wolves to our species in the first place, leading to ... dogs. Isn't coprophagy simply a natural canine behaviour?
Great question Thomas. My understanding is that coprophagy is an innate behavior in mother dogs caring for their litters and in young exploratory puppies. That's the extent of in our domesticated dogs. What have you learned about it?
I don't remember where I came across this "poop" theory of canine domestication but of course it's just a theory. Ice age wolves are a long way from domesticated dogs. Your article helps correct my assumption that the behaviour is widespread, so thanks.
My 11 year old foster failure chihuahua was rescued from a rural CA animal control case; she was kept outside in a wire crate for years & reported by neighbors who noticed she often didn’t have food or water.
A year after adoption, she continues to often attempt to eat old or just laid poop, but is better about responding to commands to leave it. I quickly pick up the poop of her & my multiple dogs, but since this is a long standing behavior that was at times her only source of food, I’m wondering if she continues out of habit or liking the taste & if I will be able to completely eliminate this behavior.
Hi Mary. Poor little thing. So glad she found herself a safe place to be. Learned behaviors such as this often persist, even if the starvation is no longer an issue. I would be surprised if it ever goes away, but fingers crossed that it will. Perhaps consult with a trainer to see if her behavior can be redirected to receive something she likes more than the feces.
Hi Jana. A dog who is medically sound, without malabsorption, maldigestion, or colonic issues (B-12 is manufactured in the colon), B-12 deficiency should not be a problem. This is part of the reason I recommend a check in with a veterinarian for dogs who are coprophagic.
Ugh, yes. My pom did it as a puppy - but I got him to stop -- simply with a stern "no". My Chaweenie (10) refuses to stop though she rarely has the opportunity because one or both of us are constantly with both of them. She takes her opportunity when we are downstairs for the 10 minutes we take to make food or if only one of us is home and are showering. To combat that, the dogs are brought into the bathroom.
Neither of them will go up or down the wood stairs, so it's a hassle trying to carry them up and down, while doing laundry, making dinner etc.
She has no underlying medical issues. She gets a ton of attention. It's a horrible habit, but like I said very rare she gets a chance to do it.
I had a Dobie long ago that would eat poop, but only the poop from my dachshund (we called them tootsie rolls, LOL). It was a problem because almost every time he did it, he would proceed to vomit the masticated poop back up a few minutes later. One time I was showing my house to a realtor, and he ran up to greet her, then proceeded to vomit poop on the carpet right at her feet. Can you imagine?!?!?
I tried different things but the only thing that helped was keeping the backyard poop picked up as often as possible.
The realtor story is hysterical!
Some researchers suggest is might have been our nutrient-rich poop that attracted Ice Age wolves to our species in the first place, leading to ... dogs. Isn't coprophagy simply a natural canine behaviour?
Great question Thomas. My understanding is that coprophagy is an innate behavior in mother dogs caring for their litters and in young exploratory puppies. That's the extent of in our domesticated dogs. What have you learned about it?
I don't remember where I came across this "poop" theory of canine domestication but of course it's just a theory. Ice age wolves are a long way from domesticated dogs. Your article helps correct my assumption that the behaviour is widespread, so thanks.
My 11 year old foster failure chihuahua was rescued from a rural CA animal control case; she was kept outside in a wire crate for years & reported by neighbors who noticed she often didn’t have food or water.
A year after adoption, she continues to often attempt to eat old or just laid poop, but is better about responding to commands to leave it. I quickly pick up the poop of her & my multiple dogs, but since this is a long standing behavior that was at times her only source of food, I’m wondering if she continues out of habit or liking the taste & if I will be able to completely eliminate this behavior.
Your thoughts?
Hi Mary. Poor little thing. So glad she found herself a safe place to be. Learned behaviors such as this often persist, even if the starvation is no longer an issue. I would be surprised if it ever goes away, but fingers crossed that it will. Perhaps consult with a trainer to see if her behavior can be redirected to receive something she likes more than the feces.
What about B12 deficiency?
Hi Jana. A dog who is medically sound, without malabsorption, maldigestion, or colonic issues (B-12 is manufactured in the colon), B-12 deficiency should not be a problem. This is part of the reason I recommend a check in with a veterinarian for dogs who are coprophagic.
Ugh, yes. My pom did it as a puppy - but I got him to stop -- simply with a stern "no". My Chaweenie (10) refuses to stop though she rarely has the opportunity because one or both of us are constantly with both of them. She takes her opportunity when we are downstairs for the 10 minutes we take to make food or if only one of us is home and are showering. To combat that, the dogs are brought into the bathroom.
Neither of them will go up or down the wood stairs, so it's a hassle trying to carry them up and down, while doing laundry, making dinner etc.
She has no underlying medical issues. She gets a ton of attention. It's a horrible habit, but like I said very rare she gets a chance to do it.
Many folks fix this problem with their own behavior modification! Good job!