Poodle Forum banner

Open for suggestions

3K views 22 replies 13 participants last post by  N2Mischief 
#1 ·
Hi there,

I am looking for suggestions from all you experienced poodle people. My Wallace LOVES, LOVES, LOVES to each other dogs' poop when we go on our walks. Unfortunately, not all dog owners in my neighborhood are responsible about cleaning up after their dogs. And he hones right in on them and is lightning fast about it. I have been able to sometimes get it out of his mouth but sometimes he swallows it before I can get to it. Yuck.

I know it is an instinctual behavior and not the end of the world. But it is gross and I would like to train away from the behavior.

Has anyone dealt with this issue? Any suggestions on how to discourage this?

Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
I think this is where it would be very helpful to train him with the leave it command. I am sure others will have more helpful advice, but in the short term work with him on the leave it command :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Abbe gails Mom
#3 ·
I agree - Leave it! I'd make sure I always had really good treats on me - you'd think anything would be better than poop, but he obviously values it highly. Does he eat his own, or only that of other dogs?
 
  • Like
Reactions: sweetheartsrodeo
#4 ·
Leave it should do it.

I dealt with this with a baby puppy once, when I asked my vet about it he told me he was perfectly healthy (not lacking anything in his diet or whatnot) and that he was just being a glutton.

Dogs have way less taste buds then us so some pretty strange stuff tastes pretty decent to them.
 
#5 ·
I do use leave it when I see the poop he is aiming for but he is so quick and usually the pieces are small and mixed in with leaves and such. He will be on it in the blink of an eye! He sidles up to a tree, sniffs around to decide if he is going to use the tree and BAM the poop is in the mouth. Amazing how fast he does it!

He has no interest in his own poop but I immediately pick it up whether in our yard or on a walk so he really has no opportunity to go after his own.

I am to the point where I may have to pre-walk our route to clean it up which is ridiculous...but I don't want any ill effects from someone else's waste...diarrhea, worms, etc


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App
 
#6 ·
My walter does the same thing only it is deer poop and bear poop that is his delight. I too worry about parasites being passed to him and I also use the leave it command. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. I just do my best and hope that after a while he will get the message because I too am tired of digging the S*** out of his mouth. I have to admit tho, I would rather be digging out deer and bear poop than dog poop. I have deceided to tell my self, this too shall pass and pray it does. I have also deceided that poodle teenagers are every bit as challanging as human one. LOL
 
#7 ·
Hahaha.. I have this problem from aria, it doesn't matter, her poop other poop and cat poop all are satisfying to her.

In fact 10 min ago I was outside with her on the phone with a friend and had to keep calling her off a pile of my parents dogs poop! She will leave it and drop it immediately when told too but, the second you turn your back she is back on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App
 
#8 ·
I don't know why but this issue makes me giggle...I guess because we poor owners get so upset by this. It's come up on other threads and believe me, it's not uncommon. People have used various methods like feeding their dogs pineapple which supposedly makes the poop unpalatable, but that only works if they eat their own or your other dog's poop. It seems that the "leave it" command, cleaning up your own yard meticulously, and the dog growing up are the only things that really work. Basic obedience is so helpful in this and all situations really, as the more reliable the dog is at obedience, the more he/she will respect your "leave it" command, and also the fact that he/she is just not allowed to do eat poop, ever--kind of like biting or peeing in the house. That takes maturity, on the dog's part. It will come along for you, don't despair!
 
#9 ·
I probably traumatized Spike when he was little by screaming and jumping up and down like a mad woman at the beach - "NO POOP! ACH! DROP IT! LEAVE IT! ACH! NO POOOOPPP!!" (Insert appropriate retching noises where needed, and remember, it's pretty cold, and everyone is bundled up...)

we have not really had the issue but the one time....

There's probably a better method, but this one seemed to work... Courtesy of the Drama Queen School of Dog Training...

sarah
 
#10 ·
So glad it is not just me! There was even more along the route today. People are disgusting...what is that saying, the more people I meet, the more I love my dog or something like that. Yes, it is gross, but hey most of em changed eir kid's diapers, no???

I was hyper vigilant and caught him sniffing a few but none were eaten. Leave it and a tug on the leash seemed to get the message across. Problem is when they are hidden in the leaves and he smells them before I see them...

Such is the life with a dog who loves his walks!
 
#11 ·
So glad it is not just me! There was even more along the route today. People are disgusting...what is that saying, the more people I meet, the more I love my dog or something like that. Yes, it is gross, but hey most of em changed their kid's diapers, no???

I was hyper vigilant and caught him sniffing a few but none were eaten. Leave it and a tug on the leash seemed to get the message across. Problem is when they are hidden in the leaves and he smells them before I see them...

Such is the life with a dog who loves his walks!
 
#13 ·
YES! YES! I too, went to the Drama Queen School of Dog Training....but only for cat poo at my son's house! I yell, "Molly don't you Dare EAT THAT! NO! NO! NO !!!!get out of there! Drop that right NOW!" as she runs away with her yummy morsel down the hallway with me chasing her while the 3 cats scramble to get out of our way..... for some reason the 'Drop It' command just doesn't work for cat poop!



:dontknow::dontknow::dontknow:
 
#16 ·
Omg this has left me laughing out loud. My Nicholas will lay in wait and literally eat Maggie's while she is still doing it. Talk about disgusting. Maggie will turn circles and self clean (gross) or convince Penelope to clean it up for her. Omar is the only one who won't eat anyone or anything's poop. The greatest delicacy is a fresh pile of deer poop. Yum. I quit being disgusted along time ago and we just try to be faster than they are. Lol. Have tried every medicine and thing known to mankind and they still do it.


Sent from my iPhone using Petguide.com Free App
 
#17 ·
I too have been laughing... Remington does not do this, and in fact seems to be grossed out by poo in general... well unless you yourself sit down to potty, then that seems to be the best time for him to come in and hug you ug!

I feel so bad for you all, this is kinda a silly question, but do you allow your poodles to lick you? I love Remington kisses, but think that if I had just seen that I would not be so apt to let him lick me....
 
#18 ·
Out for a walk

I am not a trainer/behaviorist/etc... but it sounds like your dog's walks are a little too casual, and more about him having a good time than working. I would go with a shorter leash, and move at a brisker/more commanding pace... a pace that makes your dog pay attention to moving... not sniffing. While my dogs are not necessarily in a formal 'heel' position when we walk, they certainly aren't spending all of their time nose to the ground... anytime they do stop to sniff, we move forward, this time in heel... watching me.
I would say work on your 'watch me' command, so when you ask the dog to look, he looks no matter what.
I highly recommend dogs wearing backpacks too, to help wear out some of their mental energy and focus more.
Maybe you should stop trying to 'scold' or make a big deal out of the behavior... as the attention in its self can be a reward to the dog... ignore it, and just move forward.
I will say the biggest change in my poop-eater (ate it in our yard) was switching to feeding raw... she stopped almost immediately. It also cured the 'pica' in our poodle (obsessive eating non-food items).

Good luck!
 
#19 ·
I am not a trainer/behaviorist/etc... but it sounds like your dog's walks are a little too casual, and more about him having a good time than working. I would go with a shorter leash, and move at a brisker/more commanding pace... a pace that makes your dog pay attention to moving... not sniffing. While my dogs are not necessarily in a formal 'heel' position when we walk, they certainly aren't spending all of their time nose to the ground... anytime they do stop to sniff, we move forward, this time in heel... watching me.
I would say work on your 'watch me' command, so when you ask the dog to look, he looks no matter what.
I highly recommend dogs wearing backpacks too, to help wear out some of their mental energy and focus more.
Maybe you should stop trying to 'scold' or make a big deal out of the behavior... as the attention in its self can be a reward to the dog... ignore it, and just move forward.
I will say the biggest change in my poop-eater (ate it in our yard) was switching to feeding raw... she stopped almost immediately. It also cured the 'pica' in our poodle (obsessive eating non-food items).

Good luck!
Great response. We walk very much the same as you. I don't think it's any less fulfilling for the dogs, and of course it has helped us keep foreign bodies out of our puppies mouths.
 
#20 ·
I am working on tightening up on the walks. And you are right, I do use them as fun in addition to practicing obedience and pottying. Also working on our "leave it" and "head up" commands as well. He generally maintains a decent heel when we walk and we do a pretty good pace. My hubby hates to walk with us cause we go too fast! Those big long poodle legs...

The issue comes up when he goes to relieve himself during the walk, which is part of the reason for the walk. He'll approach a tree and sniff it to decide if it is a good one to use...and then...He does not show any interest in his own, but that is collected right away so he does not have opportunity anyway.

I have taken to prescreening trees as best I can- difficult with leaves on the ground hiding the poop (which seems to be from small dogs). How ridiculous I must look to anyone watching...

How does a backpack figure in here? Just that when the dog has it on, he knows is to be working and not playing?

You guys have helped me calm down a notch or two. I had no idea it was so common. I guess we are happy to tell a funny story about stealing the piece of toast off the plate but not so quick to share that our dog eats poop! :)

Sweetheartsrodeo, my Wal is not a big kisser. I do miss it as my Westies were kissers, but given not only the poop eating but the fact that he seems obsessed with his boy parts and frequently is sniffing there, it is a good thing he is not too lovey. He is affectionate in many other ways, so I am good with no kisses!

Have a great day everyone!
 
#21 ·
I thought as I read the responses, "How lucky am I that Remington doesn't eat poop". I think I would throw up if he decided to do so... Well.... My darling, sweet, dirty mouthed little boy did just this very thing this morning... and yes I threw up... As you all know I have been ill, and in the quest to see what is wrong I had to take morning samples to the doctor. I had just collected and was going to shower and I hear munch munch munch... He ate my sample! He had it all over his face... I threw up right there and then had two messes to clean up... I was so grossed out as I was washing his face off :(
 
#23 ·
Our neighborhood homeowners association even put out "doggie dump containers". There are poles with bins attached lined with bags, and bags for you to use to pick up your dogs poop. We pay a company to come empty the bins regularly. They are placed all along the walking paths. Do you think people use them??? Of course not!! Sheesh, it couldn't be any easier.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top