Border collie puppy eating his own poo!

[bordercollienovice]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and hoping someone can help me. We have a 17wk old Border Collie. He keeps eating his own poo and, as daft as it sounds, it's really getting me down. Usually I'm very close to him when he goes 'potty' so I can get in there and pick it up before he does. However, I work from home running my own business and sometimes he's playing in the garden whilst I'm in the dining room looking out at him. Before I can get outside, he has scoffed it . Even worse, he's been suffering from the runs and is licking it up.

His toilet habits aren't very predictable yet and it's freaking me out when he then comes in and starts licking the kitchen floor, the kids etc. My business is suffering as I am constantly watching him.

Has anyone got any tips on how to deal with this as it's really starting to get to me and I'm starting to worry I've made a mistake in having a dog as I can't relax?

Thanks in advance

 

[deegee]

First don't let it freak you out or spoil having a lovely puppy! It is actually quite natural and something dogs do in the wild. My puppy specialised in finding dead mice or birds so they don't have refined tastes. But there are a few things to consider:

It could be in that your puppy was reprimanded in his previous home as part of housetraining and therefore still feels the need to dispose of the evidence.

Could be there's some slight nutritional deficiency that makes poop attractive.

Or it gets him attention! Dogs are brilliant at noting how we react and though you're going ugh! at least it's a response!

I'd say consult your vet re. feeding. Don't make a big thing about it to the puppy and take him out regularly and keep picking up. My MIL's puppy just grew out of it! You can buy an additive to put in food but I'd talk to your vet first with such a young puppy.

 

[JoanneF]

It is disgusting to us but all of what deegee says is right, and he will likely outgrow it. It's not uncommon I'm afraid!

 

[gypsysmum2]

I have had good success with feeding natural yoghurt for this problem. My thinking is that the dog senses that the bacteria in the gut are not "right" so they look for bacteria to balance it.

I used a dessertspoonful daily on a Whippet and two desertspoonfuls for a GSD. At first you might like to try the stronger ones sold for balancing the gut bacteria and then switch to ordinary natural yoghurt for maintenance. It will not work immediately so do persevere.

Alongside this do try to relax as you can give your dog behaviour problems, around toileting, as has been mentioned above.

You could try using very attractive treats to lure him away from his poo. Once he is away, toss another treat for him to find so that you can get to the poo to pick it up.

Another thing to try is a "leave it" command. Once he knows it you can call it from the window.

To do this hold a treat in a closed fist and let the dog sniff and try to get the treat out. Watch carefully for the dog to get frustrated and take his nose off your hand for a split second. Immediately reward with a treat from your other hand. After a while he should cotton on that taking his nose away gets him a reward. Then you can add the words "leave it" to the action that he has learned. Do not add the word until you are sure he understands to leave the hand with the food alone.

If you know how to clicker train then take a look at Kiko Pup Leave It on You Tube. She does not use her second hand for the treats because she has her clicker in it. It is hard to hear the clicker at the beginning of the clip because she is talking.

As you have a very fast learning breed you might like to find a dog trainer that teaches clicker training. The APDT are the best organisation for well qualified trainers. There should be a member in your area.

For and introduction to clicker training take a look at "What is Clicker Training" on YouTube.

 

[bordercollienovice]

Thanks for your replies, all useful stuff. Will try the yoghurt suggestion and also throwing treats to get him away x