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I have a Shih Tzu that is always eating Poop, has any one...

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Answer by fatimamary
Submitted on 3/27/2004
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I wonder if this is a problem peculiar to Shih Tzus. Ours is almost 5 and has been doing it from the beginning. I can't tell him to stop or put anything on the feces because he does it when I'm not around. Ours is very afraid of rain and storms. Even drizzle makes him shake. We've been having alot of rain recently and I have to leave the Shih Tzu and our Australian Shepherd inside while we're gone. He must eat it during that time. My theory is that it is his security when he's so stressed out by the rain. Our Shepherd is wonderful with him and truly seems to understand the situation. I noticed the big dog doing his shepherd thing and sitting by Pooter during a recent storm. My question is more about how to get the smell off him because he reeks; bathing doesn't do it. Mary

Answer by Graciesmama
Submitted on 6/17/2004
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My Shih Tzu Gracie has been eating poo since day one too, first cat poop from the box (solved THAT one by putting thebox somewhere she can't get it)and now recently, other dog's poo outside. Not only is it just grossing me out, I am concerned about diseases that she could get from ingesting a strange dog's poop. (Parvo being my worst fear.) I dont know why she does it....I give her Royal Canin food, and she also loves pieces of fruit, tomatoes and any veggie that I am eating. Her bowel movements are normal and hard, it just seems as though she does it out of habit and curiosity more than anything. However, when i firmly tell her "NO!" she stops immediately. Shih Tzus are wonderfully smart dogs. She does have the smell problem as well though, just her face has a slightly strong sour-milk-moldy kind of smell to it, almost like a wet dish rag thats sat out too long. I believe though am not sure this to be from the fluid that leaks from her eyes. But I don't know what to do about it. Any suggestions?

Answer by Lindsay
Submitted on 8/2/2004
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My shih tzu was eating his poop from puppyhood into young adult hood, and it was seriously disturbing me. Thankfully he finally stopped. We just tried to distract him while outside when he was going for the poo, and scolding him briefly, mixed with positive reinforcement when he DIDN'tEat FECES. Although, if that hasn't worked for you, I wouldn't blame yourself--we were just probably lucky/he grew out of it. I wonder if it IS a really common shih tzu thing, and why? A lot of people say shih tzus are smart, but my little Cap'n-bless his heart--he's just not very bright. Although he does have the characteristics of being very sweet and funny(and stubborn) (and too big for his britches, i.e. barking at bigger dogs). I love shih tzus!

Answer by Road Runner
Submitted on 9/24/2004
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I have a 9 month male Shih Tzu who started eating his poop from the first day we brought him home. We tried the meat tenderizer that was suggested by our vet and our little guy still continued to eat his poops! Well, he loves to play fetch and carries his toys around in his mouth, so we took this to our advantage! We would give him a stick to carry in his mouth when it was time to go out to go potty. He is so excited to go out and play with the stick that when he goes poops he is holding that percious stick of his that it took his mind totally off eating the poops to running to us to throw the stick for him to play after pooping. He is happy and we are so relieved the poop eating days are behind us now! Now, tell us what to do with all the sticks he collects while outside in his mouth!

Answer by B.J.
Submitted on 9/29/2004
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My 7-month old Brussels Griffon does this too. I have talked to her vet, and he said it is usually behavioral and should stop after 6 months. At 7 months, it has not. I have tried Forbid which did not work and have tried the Adolph's meat tenderizer, which did not either. Two other things I have found in research are 2-4T canned pumpkin added to food a day, or tsp or Tbs, depending on size of dog of canned pineapple, pineapple juice, or spinach added to food. Others are to add something to the feces before they eat it to repel them like lemon juice or hot sauce. I have not tried any of these, but if you are like me, you are willing to try just about anything that will not harm the puppy, no matter how silly!

Answer by Pooplover98
Submitted on 11/9/2004
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HMM...To be honest my pet Doberman, Zeep, smells like poop, but I guess I do spoil a bit. The best way to get your dog to stop eating their poop is to eat it for them. Sticking their nose in it will just make them crave it more, my life partner used to stick my nose in my poop when I would eat it, until he learned that the conditioning was contrary to the objective. the pavlovian response it generated in my situation turned me into a poop craving maniac. I spent several nights wondering the streets in search of porty-potties, when I could not find enough poop to satisfy my gigantic apetite I would black out. So my answer would be to just accept that eating poop is a good thing!!! Best Wishes

Answer by smalldog
Submitted on 2/25/2005
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my chihuahua eats his poop too. I got him at a year old and he's always done it. His breeder said that all dogs do, but chihuahuas are especially bad. She said it's instinct and none of the pills, etc. will stop it. If I'm around and tell him NO, he stops. But he does it more when I'm not home or asleep. He loves his greenies, which help his breath, but eating poop certainly can't be good for his health, or mine... he always wants to give me kisses with his poopy mouth - ew! By the way, I feed him Royal Canin as well (the Sensible Choice line) - is there something yummy in that food that they're passing that is especially appealing? Maybe they smell healthy poop???? SO gross. He's lucky he's so darn cute, because I love him anyway!

Answer by Cookie from Vancouver
Submitted on 8/24/2005
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Shih Tzu smells because of the food they eat. The smellier the food, the smellier the dog. They have very sensitive skin and are prone to allergies. Give them allergen free food, such as Z-D, and you won't have any more smelly problem. No treats other than veggies and frutis. You can also bathe them more often (I bathe mine at least once a week), as they have hair, not fur. Be sure to dry them thoroughly, otherwise, they will catch a cold or get artheritis. Shih Tzu (especially female) eats pooh because they like to keep their environment clean. Very hard to stop them from doing it. Nothing seems to help, except to catch them in the act, and firmly say NO. I reward mine with a little treat (dime size), every time she come running to me and tell me she poohed, and I go immediately to remove the feces. If they are licking themselves a lot, check it out immediately. It could be a sore spot, or fungus around the nails.

Answer by Donna
Submitted on 4/10/2006
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My Shih tzu pup eats his pooh too. I nearly barfed the first time I saw him do it. I have tried For-bid, which didn't work, and meat tenderizer which was too salty. I didn't want him getting that much salt. I read that tomato on his food would help, it seems that anything recommended is acidy, like pinapple or papaya. It must react with the enzymes in the poop to make it taste bitter. The problem is that there are no specific amounts listed anywhere. I have been mixing about a teaspoon of ketchup with water and putting it on his dried food. He seems to like it alot, but I caught him eating his poop tonight. I thought he had stopped. It's a real challenge trying to get him to stop.

Answer by DWright
Submitted on 6/26/2006
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If your Shih Tzu has a stinky face, it is most likely due to the fluid leaking from the eyes. Shih Tzus need to have their faces washed twice a day, especially around their eyes and nose. Make sure that the hair around their eyes is not getting in their eyes - if it is, cut it shorter. Check to see if their eyelashes are growing toward their eyes - sometimes they will have to be trimmed so they don't irritate the eyes. Irritated eyes will tear more often, and excessive tearing will make their face stink. Another thing you can do is have them drink from a water bottle hung in the crate instead of from a bowl - water left on the face will cause an odor as well.

Answer by chris deeds
Submitted on 11/2/2006
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Ok, what i dont understand is everyone suggests msg or some other chemical to make poop taste bad...... Are we forgetting that msg causes cancer? every unnatural thing you give your dog is a side effect or problem just waiting to happen... Does anyone realize that dog food itself have all kinds of chemicals that cause majority of problems in our animals? Here is more food for thought. Dog food is from other animals or crops that couldnt pass inspection for humans to eat... great... lets feed our adorable animals it... Heres another thing... look at the ingreidents on your dog food..... Think thats all thats in there? WRONG!!! theres a loop hole where they dont have to list ingredients that have been added if they get it from a third party company... Another words.... If meat companies add... say msg or some other harsh chemical to their meat then sell it to the dog food industry... they are not required to list any thing they themselves did not add..... great huh? So go buy some natural dog food.... see if that dosent change perhaps your dogs itching, loose stool, bitting, licking or even poop eating.... if your son or daughter was eating thier poop... would you feed them poison that causes cancer to stop them?

Answer by Cheryl
Submitted on 12/6/2006
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I did a bit of research on this. I have a Bichon-Shihtzu puppy, just over 2 mos old that also eats her poop. Apparently it can be one of two things: (1) physiological - if the dog is not fully digesting the food that it's eating. it may smell or be attracted to something in its feces that it sees as an undigested nutrient and will eat it again to ingest that nutrient. try buying higher quality food or food that is easily digested. (2) behavioral - such as when it has an accident and is punished, some puppies will ingest its feces as a way to "hide the evidence" because it feels bad or for fear of being punished. I've tried sprinkling chili powder on her poop and she hasn't touched it so far...

Answer by Todos en usted
Submitted on 4/17/2007
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I have a Shih Tzu that is 16 weeks old and he has been caught doing this also. I have tried Deter and Forbid, neither of which are working. If I am not able to get him outside quick enough, he does it in a place that I do not know about and he has been caught eating something. I do not let him sniff around places too long where other dogs or cats have expelled and watch the area where I take him out to relieve himself. I hate this bad habit and I pray he grows out of it. The only thing I can suggest is to move quicker on getting them outside and picking it up. It is hard when you have a job and the dogs do not go potty until an hour or two later after eating. This is my first pet and I was told to take him out around 15 to 30 minutes after eating. Then I was told to place him in a cage for a bit longer then take him back out. I release him and he runs and then goes straight to potty where I can't see and then later comes back and eats it. I cannot even smell the crap! blah

Answer by JoAnneTea
Submitted on 6/20/2007
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Studies have been done to length on why dogs eat poop and the answer is simply because it tastes good to them! Pills called Deter or Forbid are said to work. I have used S.E.P. (stop eating poop) made by Solid Gold and it does work. It has natural ingredients in powder form that you sprinkle over their dog food. Do a search for more information on Coprophagia. Always scoop the poop in your yard/house immediately. Teach your dog the command "leave it" for the times you are racing your dog to clean it up. Give your dog entertaining toys to relieve boredom snacking. Poop eating is not just disgusting for their bad breath issue, but because they can pick up dangerous parasites and worms!

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Question by Robson
Submitted on 1/21/2004
Related FAQ: rec.pets.dogs: Shih Tzus Breed-FAQ
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I have a Shih Tzu that is always eating Poop, has any one had this happen to them, has anyone got any advise to break this habhit? Has you may guess it is disgusting.

Answer by Julie
Submitted on 1/22/2004
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My Shih Tzu eats not only her own feces, but the feces of my other dog, even strangers feces. My vet recommended putting meat tenderizer(must have MSG in it) on the food twice a day. This did not work for me, but you may want to try it. I'm still looking for a solution. zedjul@comcast.net

Answer by Lori
Submitted on 1/25/2004
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I asked my vet about this problem as well. My vet told me that puppies are not sure of what they should be tasting, he advised me to tell the puppy no, which that has worked for me. He also told me they have pills you can get from your vet that will make their poop tastes awful that will prevent them from eating it. Good Luck.

Answer by Chelsea Girl
Submitted on 2/1/2004
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My dog has recently been eating his poop too. When you are firm and say NO!, it might work.

Answer by Deb
Submitted on 2/21/2004
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meat tenderizer sprinkled on the food will make poo taste worse and they will stop eating poo

Answer by kelsiedyer@comcast.net
Submitted on 3/17/2004
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My dog(Furby) is always doing it too. just pop his butt gently and my dog has stopped. kelsiedyer@comcast.net

Answer by falalalala
Submitted on 4/25/2004
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do shih tzus smell bad?

Answer by zvdfgah
Submitted on 6/19/2004
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penis is good

Answer by Ann
Submitted on 6/24/2004
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My 6mnth old puppy Maltese has been eating her poop ever since we bought her home...we tried Deter and forbid (powder/pill that makes faeces taste bad) but they both didn't work. The only thing that stops her is if I'm around....I also feed my puppy Royal Canine...any suggestions? I had a German shepherd before...and she grew out of it after 1 yrs old...so I'm hoping my pup will too...

Answer by Janice
Submitted on 8/3/2004
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I also have a 4 month old Shih Tzu that eats his poop. I have tried putting pepper on it, but he just licks the pepper off. I will try the meat tenderizer and hopefully that will help. If I tell him no he just picks it up and runs with it, so I have to catch him right after he goes poop and pick him up and carry him in doors. I was glad to find out I'm not the only one with this problem.

Answer by yvette
Submitted on 8/5/2004
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My 1 year old shih tzu has been eating her poo since I've gotten her. She even takes my cat's out of his litter box!! I've heard of a powder you can buy to put in her food to get them to stop. I have yet to try it.

Answer by sjfinch@bigpond.com
Submitted on 9/2/2004
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i never herd of this problem but i feed my babies raw chicken drumies & i cut the knoby grisele bits at each end off, some dry food at their leisure & the meat cut into bite size now their pooh is very easy to pick up as my babies pooh & pee on a towel in da bathroom, toilet towel trained these shih-tzus are very smart they know yes & no maybe they are not getting enough attention they need more luv then you do so i hope this will help you'sall.

Answer by morganazul
Submitted on 9/9/2004
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My doggie does that too! I hate it-I just say no , If I catch him, put the litterboxes where only the cats can reach them and being very careful and watch him all the time. The sour smell on my babies faces I take care of by washing their faces two or three times a day-check their ears too:many ear infections give them a horrid smell and they are prone to them.My shih love to have their faces washed!I also put eye drops on them to help from any debri from the eyelashes etc.They seem to like it too. Get rid of the bad breath with those cookies that they sell at the petstore,they really work!

Answer by PNut
Submitted on 9/30/2004
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My 12 week old Shih Tzu puppy also eats his poop. Because of the hurricanes down here in Florida, I've mat/paper trained him so he wouldn't get rained on or blown away, anyway, he eats his poop when I'm not around. Not only that, but he will poop OUTSIDE his cage, and then pick up his poop and eat it inside his cage/bed. I am SO sick of cleaning his cage I've just started locking it during the day, so he eats it on the mat. ICK. It's disgusting and I don't know how to stop it. :-( Help PLEASE

Answer by Ely
Submitted on 9/30/2004
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I have a 12 week old German Shepherd and he has been eating his poop. But, he stops when I tell him "NO" or I say "HEY". He'll stop and he'll walk away from it. I am hoping that he grows out of it.

Answer by VERONICA
Submitted on 3/7/2005
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WELL MY 5 MONTH OLD HAS BEEN DOING IT FROM DAY ONE BUT IF YOU ROLL UP A NEWSPAPER AND TAP THE DOG ON THE BUTT IT WILL STOP NOT FOR ALL PEOPLE IT SOMETIME WORKS FOR ME BUT IF YOU SAY IT REAL LOUD AND FIRMLY LIKE NO! IT SHOULD STOP

Answer by jsyfkghckjh
Submitted on 5/1/2005
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I like chicken, I like liver! mow mix, mow mix please deliver p.s I am gay, and like penis!!!

Answer by Gina
Submitted on 10/6/2004
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I have a 6month old Boxer puppy. He has been eating his poop ever since we got him. I have too get him too stop. Just the Idea makes me sick. It is nice too know that other dogs do this. I thought there was something wrong with him. He has a vet Apt. on Friday. I'll ask the Dr. about the pills. I can not say "NO" to him when he does it because he only eats it when I am not with him. I REALLY hope the pills help. ----Gina----

Answer by chelli
Submitted on 10/16/2004
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my shih tzu used to eat his poop but after we had his coat clipped by the vet..(undercoat matting)he stopped doing it..maybe he was bored and uncomfortable.

Answer by Alea
Submitted on 11/18/2004
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I have a five month little shih tzu female who consistently eats her own poo. The vet also recommended Adolf's meat tenderizer. Someone told me Pineapple juice. I gave Sophia canned pineapple, and it seems to work when I remember to do it. The other stuff, deter, I am told will make them not want to eat the food.

Answer by lovemyshu
Submitted on 12/8/2004
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I have a puppy as well and it likes to eat my cats poop. dont know what to tell you because i have found a solution. as far as the smelly face. smell there ears and you will probably notice the smell if from there. use vinager and water. it takes the smell away.

Answer by kristen
Submitted on 12/21/2004
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my shihtzu also eats his poop. do you have any idea how to get rid of his smell?

Answer by taz
Submitted on 1/3/2005
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hi everyone my female shih tzu did this once i put meat tenderize on it and it work but not for my big dog i guss it depends on the dog but she stop they have stuff out for dogs that do this i dont remeber what it is it was in dr. froster and smith

Answer by ruf
Submitted on 1/7/2005
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My 2 month lhasa apso also does that i try to discard the poo as fast as possible

Answer by TM
Submitted on 1/12/2005
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I am thinking about getting one of these types of dogs. Is this a "norm" for this type of dog?

Answer by bobo
Submitted on 1/20/2005
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try putting hot sauce on their poop. this has work so far for my 3 month old shih tzu. you just have to do it once and then they learn.

Answer by Lala
Submitted on 2/27/2005
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I have a Pekingese that is about 3 months thats eats his and my Lhasa Apso poo and the only thing that worked was putting Cayenne (sp?) pepper on it. The meat tenderizer didn't work and neither did using "Forbid" sold in pet stores that works the same way the tenederizer does. Obviously I cant get to it most of the time so I would love to know what else can be done. Its disgusting.

Answer by mema
Submitted on 4/26/2005
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my Shih Tzu (kyza) is a very well trained dog but for some reason she has been eating her poop too and it is discusting but i have to deal with it and i dont know how to stop it

Answer by hunter
Submitted on 5/5/2005
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We found something on yahoo one time that suggested giving them fresh pineapple. I bought one, but they are expensive to keep up.

Answer by esco
Submitted on 5/11/2005
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I have two Shih Tzu, my oldest has never eaten poop.She is very obedient. The other in the other hand loves to eat her poop and the others dogs poop. I have taken her to the vet and he gave me some powder in packets to put it in her poop. She still has not stop. I spank her, i have tried everything. I think i am going to put hot sauce next. She is pretty stubborn. I think it has to do with the dog from the get go.

Answer by peggy
Submitted on 5/20/2005
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My pup is eating her poop too I am trying the meat tenderizer will let you all know if it works

Answer by plmswt2u
Submitted on 6/3/2005
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Hello, I think my male shihtzu is gay? He is 7 months old and my female that is 2 years old is in heat. He wont even smell of her? Is he gay or too young? Help!

Answer by Michelle
Submitted on 6/23/2005
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My 9 month old shih tzu is always eating her poop. I am afraid something wrong could happen if she still eats it. I'm also worried if she doesn't stop until adult age.We try giving food so she be distracted but that hasn't work...any suggestions? P.S she really gets bad breath

Answer by T-BIRD
Submitted on 7/4/2005
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Shih tzu'sare known for eating their own feces. They are not able to distinguish between food and their own feces. This behavior is also linked to a vitamin B deficiency.

Answer by Dog lOver
Submitted on 7/13/2005
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Well my dog has been eating his own fecal matter as well. I even tried eating it myself and I still don't see why he does it. He also tries to lick himself while urinating. Any tips would be very grateful.

Answer by Nadine
Submitted on 7/23/2005
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My dog always eats his poop its discusting he seems to even like it! does anyone know how to stop this????

Answer by Blanchey
Submitted on 8/4/2005
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What is wrong with you people. You all need to get different dogs. Shih Tzu are obviously twisted and perverse animals!!!!!! I've had my Staffordshire Bull Terrier for ages does not eat any poo at all and never has. And he does not smell either. You all need different breeds!!!!!!!!!!!!!