Pooperdoodle

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

My 18 month old GD has a new bad habit - eating my 2 yr old GD's poop.  I've tried some over the counter pills that don't seem to be doing anything to stop this so now I'm looking for another remedy.  They have always gone out together to do their business so I've tried letting them out separately.  They just stand and look at me like "what's wrong".  I've read through some previous posts and thinking about trying the tenderizer  solution but don't want to do anything to harm the Maggie,innocent doodle.  KoKo waits for Maggie to go, I sometimes think she's going to get hit in the head with poop.  Talk about being up someones''s butt.  Please give me more information about tenderizer or pineapple or anything else that I can do.  

[Ginny Nightingale]

Well, I have nothing to add but this might be helpful--a friend told me that she doesn't give her dogs raw carrots because they pass thru pretty much undigested and that makes the poop seem more like food--your dogs don't get raw carrots do they? Just thought I would throw that out there.....my dogs run from their poop like it is the most disgusting thing in the world--so i guess I am lucky in that way!

[Martha & Cooper]

The pineapple worked for us.   A couple of pineapple chunks in it's own juice.  It took a couple of days before it worked it's way through the digestive track and produced the desired effect, but that, along with cleaning up immediately after the dog goes along with a firm no, when they attempt to eat it, is the only effective way I have found.   You really have to be right there when the dog goes and pick it up immediately for this to work.  Don't give them a chance.   My neighbor also sprayed bitter spray on the stool to discourage his puppy.   That seemed to work too, but then again, you won't always be there with bitter spray and the pineapple is harmless.   My dog still likes it and I still give it even though the habit is long gone.   Don't want to take any chances.   It is trial and error.  What works for one dog, may not work for another.   :-(

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

Oh God does this bring back memories of my Shih Tzus..... My Calla Lilly was a "recycler"... she would eat her own poop and my other Shih Tzu's poop as well.  I also tried everything under the sun to get her to stop, including the tenderizer etc.  The only thing that worked was what my vet suggested.... be outside with her and pick up the poop immediately !!!  I did that for years - arrrrggghhhh.  After years of picking up the poop it finally sunk in and she did not do it any more but that was when she was around 10 years old.   I'm lucky that neither of my doodles are recyclers.  I had asked my vet why she does that and he said that it is just a discusting habit that some dog do and nothing more, he did not want me adding anything to her food to deter this so I took his suggestion of just picking it up.   Good luck....

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

We had a Lab puppy that did this and we too tried everything - nothing worked, he out grew it thank goodness.  I'd still let both dogs out together but keep the poo eater on a leash.  When she starts to go for it, I'd pop the leash and give a stern "no".  After they both poo, then I'd return them to the house and get the yard picked up clean.  Lots of work for you but I think she'll learn, even if not - you've stopped her from getting to the poo.  Good luck.

[Lorraine Bromley]

Have you tried one of those poo sacks that they put on horses to catch it on the fly? Then it isn't accessible to the other one! You could start a new doodle poo business by the sounds of it.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Peri is on good kibble also, but she loves poop. It's disgusting.

[Kirsten and Kinnick]

Kinnick did this when she was younger, and our vet suggested putting a little canned pumpkin in her food. It worked for her, and we did not have to use the pumpkin for very long.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

From these posts this seems to be more of a female dog's habit. If so, perhaps it is the 'mama dog-cleaning-up-after-pup syndrome???

[Bryce P]

Take koko out on a leash?

[St.Clair Labradoodle Kennels]

Your vet can do a blood mineral screening to help determine if your dogs are lacking any nutrients.

In our experience switching food to a non grain formula food can correct this.Taste of the Wild or Blue are a couple of good choices.Whatever you choose read the label!

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

Thanks for all the suggestions.  I started letting them out separately and picking up immediately and this obviously works since KoKo doesn't have a chance to recycle.  This morning it was about 15 degrees and just breaking dawn and I'm scooping poop - not the best way to start the day but I guess that's what I have to do.  They are both fed TOTW kibble with a small amount of wet so I don't think it is a lack of nutrients just a "new bad habit". Thanks everyone