Why does my dog sniff everything and eat poop? Are they related?

Question

When on walks Wendy (mixed hound breed) spends excessive time sniffing and also will eat dried poop if we can not stop her in time. I've seen her with same behavior in the back yard and try to keep it clean as much as possible. Are both behaviors related and what are possible reasons for these behaviors (she is 9 and has always done this but more so as she ages). Thanks

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Sniffing on walks is a completely normal behavior - most dogs do this to some degree, but since Wendy is a hound mix, it makes sense that she would be especially fascinated with smells in the environment! This is not a problem at all, and she should be allowed to sniff as much as she likes when you walk her. As far as eating dried poop, you can easily teach her a "leave it!" cue to use on walks when needed. Start by using one of her toys at home to practice. When she has the toy in her mouth, say "leave it!" in a cheerful tone and hold a treat in front of her nose. When she lets go of the toy to get the treat, praise her and let her have the reward. Over time, with practice, she will begin to drop her toy on the verbal cue alone - but make sure to reward every time with a treat, to keep this behavior reliable! On walks, just carry some treats in your pocket in case you need them. If she starts to grab some poop, tell her "leave it!", and praise and reward as soon as she does.

Why does my dog sniff everything and eat poop? Are they related?

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