Puppy problem don't know how to fix

[CoyoteMagic]

Scary fact, lots of dogs looooooooooooooovy chicky poo. Mine included. If I catch her I tell her to leave it, but she's back at it when I'm not looking. Vet told me his dogs do it too. We've got someone on here whose dog is an egg theif! That's what I would be more worried bout

 

[Wynette]

THat's a tough one, as dogs all seem to love poo from other critters. You should see my dogs when a horse plops a fresh one! You'd think it was a hot fudge sundae or something! GROSS!

I DO think you can train him to not eat chicken poo...seriously, I do, but it'll take a LOT of work. I would try, as the first step, really wearing him out, as others have mentioned. When he's exercised a bunch, not just physically, but psychologically (so many people think physical exercise for dogs is enough - it's not!) as well, THEN take him out near where the chicken poo is. With him being worn out, he'll be easier to redirect and not as likely to ignore your "no!" since he'll be tired. Maybe just short outings at first, and then increasing the time. He sonds like a really smart little boy, so I'd think it would be a worthwhile effort to try and teach him to not eat it. I say "ICKY!" when mine go for poo...they all know what that means. But, if I'm in the barn where they can't see me...they do go for it. Then again, I have not put a huge effort into training them for it.

 

[Emzyyy]

I would try using a whistle or something noisy and when he goes for the poo whistle and make a loud noise and this will distract him when he comes to you and hasn't ate the poo say good boy and give him a treat.

 

[Auntie Ron]

Hi,

I think everyone goes through this; and I do not believe that the puppy is "missing something from his diet".

Your pup will grow out of the chicken poo phase. Mine did the same thing, and now he is either bored with poo or he just grew tired of the same ole poo LOL.

I wouldn't let it worry you as long as you do not notice a change in his regular eating habits.

There was a time when my pup had a roundworm and tapeworm problem. This was when he first arrived at 9 weeks old. I asked the vet if I was going to face a cycle of problems with the chickens pecking through his poo and ingesting the worms; she did not seem alarmed or worried. I went ahead and treated my chickens while I was treating my dog. I used Piperazine and Moxydectin on my birds, I cannot remember what the vet gave me for the pup.

I think the real ickiness is the puppy kisses, knowing what potential leftovers you might be receiving. Wait til he brings in a critter! LOL

Goodluck, Ron

Oh I forgot, .... your puppy is soooooooooooo cute, and I really mean that. He is adorable. I did not catch his name.

 

[PotterWatch]

A dog eating its own poo is an entirely different thing from eating chicken poo. Chicken poo is like a puppy treat in the puppy's eyes. Both my dogs will eat chicken and goat poo given half a chance, but neither has an issue with eating their own. I'm not sure how or if you can correct it as I haven't even tried. My chickens have a run to keep them safe from the dogs, so the dogs don't have access to chicken poo anymore. I know there are definitely people who have dogs that can be around their chickens, but do keep an eye on the puppy and don't be surprised if he does grab a chicken someday. Our swissy mix didn't so much as blink at our chickens for almost a year, but we came home one day to find that he had killed one. We think he probably pawed at it or stepped on it, it squawked and he decided it sounded like a chew toy. We put up our run shortly after that. I don't think that he would generally bother them even now, but I don't want to lose any more chickens that way.

 

[19hhbelgian]

The leave it command would be the only thing I can think of to try and teach him not to eat the poo. But, as said before, it's a "special treat"

, and it might just be something he's going to have to get tired of on his own... Also, please do be careful with him and your chickens! My little Garmin, who is sometimes too lazy to go upstairs to eat her supper (and she's not lacking in the food department, trust me

) got one of my hens about a month ago

It was only my fault for thinking she'd be fine, but there is no way I'd trust any dog with my girls ever again! Learn from our mistakes on this one, and don't learn the hard way on your own

Oh yeah, Buddy is VERY cute! You can really see the Labradoodle in him!

 

[sewchick]

I like all your ideas. Thank you very much. I will give each one a solid try. I had no idea dogs ate poop. No idea. Never seen it before and have had dogs in the past. You have made me feel a lot better knowing this is a known thing. I guess I wouldn't mind too much as long as it doesn't hurt the dog. I worry he might catch something.

I will get worm pills, heart worm preventive medicine, and his rabies and distemper shots next month when due.

I was wondering about those shock collars and why are they used and would it work on the poop thing. I will probably not go that route unless it has a positive outcome. Is it for barking? He doesn't bark much yet. He groans if I am out of the gated area and he is not. He's a funny little dude.

 

[Wynette]

Awe...he sound absolutely ADORABLE!

I would think the shock collar should only be used on something that would be a detriment to HIM or others. JMO. I DO understand there is a collar out there that instead of "shocking" it vibrates instead. Maybe something like tht would work?

It's great that you're so willing to work with your boy!

Oh...and speaking of eating poop....my dogs think cat poop right out of the litter box is a special treat. SO GROSS! I moved it to an area in the basement the dogs can't get to. Love my doggie kisses too much!