Yorkie eating his poo

[Rach2008]

My 15 month old Yorkshire Terrier boy won't stop eating his own poo! He gets plenty of complete puppy food, treats consist of veg & fruit, plenty of fresh water and a couple of good walks a day. But he still seems to enjoy (?) eating his own poo. What can I do?

[Clanad]

This is typical of the breed... as well as other small dog varieties. We've experienced some luck with Mrs. C's Zuchno by feeding her chunk pineapple (not in syrup) a couple of times a day. She will still sniff the leavings, given the chance, but turns up her nose... on most occasions. It could be she's just growing out of the stage.
Others we know have experienced some success with letting the dog eliminate and then lacing the leavings with cayenne pepper and letting the dog have a go at it.
It doesn't really seem to have anything to do with the diet lacking or other such considerations. As bad as it sounds, I personally think it just tastes good to them...
I have large dog breeds as working dogs here in thewestern U.S. and hadn't seen this habit until the small dog arrived on the scene... Best of luck!

[fredpuli47]

Odd as it sounds, this never seems to harm the dog. It is said to be 'puppy behaviour', not because pups do necessarily do it but because their dam does it, eating their faeces, to keep them and the nest area clean. They see and remember that later. The traditional 'cure' is the addition of pineapple to their diet (which sounds as odd as the behaviour does but many an owner has claimed it works )

It may be well be commoner in small breeds.I have to say,small breeds I've had (Italian greyhound, papillons, Dandie Dinmont, toy poodles,. Yorkies ) never did it but they didn't eat any faeces at all. On the other hand, every Irish wolfhound I've had and some of the GSDs have regularly and cheerfully eaten horse manure, but never their own ! , .

[woofgang]

all my weimaraners have done it, also the weimaraner x GSP's we have now. The only sure way i have found of stopping it is to be rigorous in cleaning up the garden. they don't seem to do it when out...but adore horse and rabbit poo :(