Why would my german shepard dog eat it's own excretion?

A lot of dogs do this, many people will say that it is related to their diet and not getting the right nutrients but there is no evidence to support it.
I personally had bloodwork done on a dog that eat its own poop and it blew that theory out of the water. The dog was fine and eating good quality food.

Adding pineapple to their diet can work as a deterrent but the only way to completely stop them for sure is to remove the poop as soon as he does it

I also heard that you can sprinkle meat tenderizer on their food and it makes the poop un-appetizing for them (gross!)

I like the pineapple idea better.

I have a border collie and beagle that do this.

The reason I was given was that they're working dogs. One is a herder, the other bred to hunt. Because they have to work around animals that may be nervous or scared of their scent, they eat their poo so that the sheep and rabbits don't smell them around.

It's part of their breeding, even if they aren't actually being used to do the jobs they were bred to do.

German Shepherds were bred to work. This may be why.

Just make sure to pick up the poo on a daily basis, then you can avoid this disgusting habit.

I don't think I ever had a puppy that didn't do this (and everyone had a different theory why) and I never had a dog that didn't outgrow it.

Funny (sort of) story - years ago the Vet said to "use" meat tenderizer. Every time the dog "pooped" I ran outside and sprinkled meat tenderizer on "it." Didn't help at all. I think the dog developed a taste for meat tenderizer. Took the dog back. The Vet meant mix it in the dog's food. I felt like an IDIOT!

I don't think I ever had a puppy that didn't do this (and everyone had a different theory why) and I never had a dog that didn't outgrow it.

Funny (sort of) story - years ago the Vet said to "use" meat tenderizer. Every time the dog "pooped" I ran outside and sprinkled meat tenderizer on "it." Didn't help at all. I think the dog developed a taste for meat tenderizer. Took the dog back. The Vet meant mix it in the dog's food. I felt like an IDIOT!

Judy the tenderiser fairy, sprinkling her magic dust on all the worlds poop :D

And her neighbors thought she was nuts. Seasoning dogpoop!

Judy, I'm sorry, but that's funny.

Judy, you just made me giggle hysterically. Sadly I was drinking beer at the time and now I'm cleaning my monitor. It's no longer funny. :(

German Shepherds were bred to work. This may be why.

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Then they probably consider it 'part time poop patrol' :rolleyes:

Tick