WHY DOES MY DOG EAT ANY DOGS DUNG HE MAY FIND WHILE OUT ON WALKS AND HOW CAN I STOP THIS HABIT?

Known as coprophagy (eating behaviour), this is quite common in dogs, although it seems disgusting to us. Other animals utilize food differently from dogs, so their faeces contain nutrients that the dog finds palatable or that his body craves.

Dogs usually come to no harm from eating faeces, but the habit can lead to illness should they ingest dropping that contain viruses, parasites or anthelmintics (de-worming products)

As your dog's instinct tells him that eating faeces is natural and acceptable, you should not become annoyed with him for doing so. Instead, discourage the habit by replacing it with a more acceptable alternative.

First, teach your dog to obey the command "No", rewarding him when he does so and comes to you, this also show him that coming to you is far more rewarding than eating any dropping he's found. In persistent cases, muzzlingyour dog while out on walks will make it impossible for him to practise the habit.

Make sure that your dog's diet supplies all the nutrients he needs, then he won't feel the need to eat dropping to satisfy a nutritional deficiency.