Gun Dog Forum

Hey all, this is my first post! I've had a quick look around the forum and I'm excited to learn from and share with the community!

I have a 22 month old male GSP, Otto. He's currently around 28kg (62 lbs) in weight.

For around the last 7 months he's been eating other dog poos whilst out, off lead, in popular dog walking areas local to me. I'm obviously concerned about the health affects this has caused with vomitting the poo back up and parasites, worms etc.

I've fed him Hill's Science Plan since I've had Otto as him and his family/litter were fed this from birth. Reading that this may not have given him the full nutrients he needed 2 months ago I've swithched him onto a raw (80:10:10) diet supplemented with fish oils, egg, turmeric, raw veg and fruit (he has about 600g of food per day (around 21oz)). The problem still persists...

Since around 5 months Otto was introduced to being walked daily with around 7 or 8 other dogs whilst I was at work. He'd generally get 3-4 hours walking but nothing too strenuous, just enough to get him socialised with other dogs. For the last 3 months he has daily 1 to 1, off-lead walking in fields/woods/trails where he is extremely active for around 1.5 hours a day.

Is he likely hungry? Bored? Or is it something inherently common with GSP's at this age and something he'll grow out of?

Any help/advice would be well received..

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/healt ... -eat-poop/

Relative to his diet, if you aren't a dog nutritionist, you really have no way of knowing if what you are feeding RAW is adequate or healthy. As an example, grain free foods/diets have been tied to heart issues. Personally, I would feed a name brand dog kibble with corn/grains and go from there but to each their own.

Thanks for the reply. I have read through the link you posted and it's reassured me more so thanks.

I also take on board the comments with regards the food.
Having researched the raw diet before I switched from the Hills kibble (https://www.hillspet.co.uk/dog-food/sp- ... hicken-dry) I understand there are conflicting debates for and against. I decided to take advice from a friend whose dogs have thrived from raw food for years. I'll continue to monitor the results with mine.

I'm gonna say it's lack of nutrition from the hills science diet. Feed him a high protein and fat content food with some sort of grain to fill him. It could also be not enough food, although you said he's 62lbs so I doubt that. I wouldn't feed him raw, that's just me though. Moniter him on the walks and if he starts to eat some interrupt him.

Google: why dogs eat poop

AKC has a good read.

I can understand why female dogs do, but not males.

To stop it I use a training collar. HOWEVER it does not cure it. Sort of like counter surfing. The reward is worth the risk.

I worry more about porcupines.

DeanOtto wrote: ↑

Tue Jul 12, 2022 6:16 pm

Thanks for the reply. I have read through the link you posted and it's reassured me more so thanks.

I also take on board the comments with regards the food.
Having researched the raw diet before I switched from the Hills kibble (https://www.hillspet.co.uk/dog-food/sp- ... hicken-dry) I understand there are conflicting debates for and against. I decided to take advice from a friend whose dogs have thrived from raw food for years. I'll continue to monitor the results with mine.

Attached is an article that discusses some findings on the subject.
You have a whole lot more to lose than gain by not feeding a well “researched”, readily available and proven feed.

https://www.ucdavis.edu/curiosity/blog/ ... d-your-dog

Garrison

They will eat the nastiest stinkiest thing they find. Unless it is too stinky to eat and then they roll in it.

Now isn't that true.