| Archive for The Brittany Forum For all friends of the versatile Brittany |
| jane |
Problemshi everyoneI am a new person to these forums. The have male brittany who is a year old, i have had him since 6 months old and have had nothing but problems his worse problem is he likes to eat his own poo and other dogs poo, then he likes to sick it back up on my carpets. When he is running loose he goes in seach of poo and does not come when i call him even if i have treats or a toy. He is always seeking attention and cant relax he paces from one end of the room to the other. He is attenting puppy training classes but is very disruptive and does better when he is home. i do not intend to work him i just wanted a house dog and think i may have chosen the wrong breed, me and the dogs relationship is not going to well and he has picked up on this. So any suggusts on how to approach this would be great. many thanks Jane |
||
| Annie as admin |
Hi Jane
Sorry you are having these problems. This is a working breed and the person you bought him from should have given you a lot of information on that. Have you been in touch with his breeder? They have a responsibility to you and the dog as they brought him into the world! It sounds like he is needing to do something. Could you perhaps take up agility? He is too young to do the big jumps as yet but he could start on the routines - tgry to find an agility club near you. It is worth travelling half an hour or more to get your dog under control. Also check his diet, he may be getting too much protein. They don't need more than 21% and some even less - I had one on 18% and another on a little tripe and a lot of plain terrier biscuit. He must have regular discipline or he will be a nuisance to both you and others so keep up the good work with the trainign classes. Try to find a titbit he would die for - maybe hard baked liver or liver cake. Give him things to do when he is at home, collect things for you, do sit stays then recalls as you are watching TV, throw soft toys for him to retrieve. Teach him to look at you - every time you see him looking in your direction say watch or look and throw a titbit - don't feed him, throw enough titbits and he won't go hungry. Use his food for this if you like, with occasional bits of liver. Brittanys make very good house dogs provided they have enough regulare ewxercise - is he getting enough of that? Mine get two half hour free running outings plus a few shorter road walking trips every day, as wellas their ongoing obedience training and show training. As a matter of interest, what is his breeding? Hope this helps Annie |
||
| Annie as admin |
Sorry, forgot about the poo eating - there may be something missing from his diet so again check that. Also, my friend, Jan, will tell you to give him Minadex (a children's tonic) she says it works on her bitch. I haven't tried it yet although I bought some in case. I have given mine pineapple in their food - they don't like it recycled  If he won't eat the bits, chop it up really small or just use the juice.
Annie |
||
| guy |
Welcome Jane.
First question where abouts in the country are you - maybe you could meet up with someone? Mine are very partial to a bit of cow muck, sheep or even rabbit. Talking to my vet he pointed out that eating omnivore faeces was not a problem, but dog and fox was as they often carried intestinal worms etc. anyway a quick google search brought up this. Why Dogs Eat Poop: 20 Reasons 1. Your dog might be hungry. If your dog doesn't have access to food, he might eat poop. 2. Some dogs will eat poop to clean up an area like a housekeeper. This is most likely if your dog is confined to a crate or kennel, or when he's chained up or otherwise restricted. He's taking care of his space. 3. If your dog likes to carry poop, and then eat it, it could be genetics. Some dogs have instincts to carry stuff in their mouths. 4. Your dog might be eating poop because of parasites or worms. They can suck nutrients out of your dog, driving him to eat poop. It might also leave him extra hungry because of the lack of proper fuel. 5. Your dog might be eating cat poop or other animal poop to get key nutrients and minerals not available in his own food. 6. Some dogs will simply eat poop to pass the time. Dogs will eat poop because they are bored or lonely. It can be a sign of neglect. 7. Your dog might eat poop because he's anxious, nervous or otherwise upset. Stress will drive animals to do odd things. 8. Some dogs will eat poop to hide the evidence. If you punish your dog for pooping, he might eat it to stop you from getting angry. 9. If your dog has puppies, she might eat puppy poop. This is an instinct to hide the poop from predators. Poop is evidence. Getting ride of it keeps her puppies safe. 10. Some young dogs and puppies will eat poop as a novelty. That is, they'll eat poop as an experiment. They don't know better. 11. If your dog watches you pick up poop, he might learn to do the same. This is called allelomimetic behavior. Your dog observes you and learns from you, by putting the poop in his mouth you put poop in a bag. 12. Your dog might see others dogs eating poop. From this, they learn to eat poop too. 13. Many dogs simply like the taste of poop. This obviously doesn't make sense to dog owners but that's irrelevant. Some dog like to eat it and that's that. It's warm, moist, and very much like what your dog was given as a very young puppy. 14. If your dog food lacks key nutrients, he might eat poop. Your dog is trying to get "food" with nutrients any way possible, even from his own poop. 15. Sometimes dog poop seems like dog food. This can happen when dog food is low quality and includes materials that are easily passed and not absorbed by your dog. When the dog poops, it seems to be very much like the food he just consumed! 16. In some cases, dogs will eat poop if they are given too much food. This is especially true if your dog's diet is high in fat. 17. Some dogs will eat poop to gain attention. Many dog owners get very upset when their dog eats poop, which means the dog gets attention. This is a wonderful opportunity for your dog to interact with you, although it is because of negative attention. 18. It is possible that some dogs will eat the poop of other, more dominant dogs. Your dog might be more submissive than other dogs, resulting in strange poop eating behavior. This seems to occur more in households with multiple dogs where dominance and submission is a factor. Obviously this doesn't explain much about dogs eating cat poop or other animal poop. 19. It is possible that your dog wants to eat more than one time per day. If you only feed your dog once per day, and your dog eats poop, it could be an indication they want to eat more frequently. 20. In some cases, your dog will eat poop by accident. Dogs are curious and will try to eat almost anything, including poop. Dogs explore the world through taste and smell, much more than humans. |
||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
On the other hand it could just be that he's a brittany and they like to show you up 
Merlin has done this on a couple of occasions, he eats Ghillie's and she eats his. Look at it this way, if they clear it up then you won't have to....and yes, I throw some minidex [available from Boot's] down their gullets if I catch them doing it. Wear a BIG apron when you give it to him as he will splother all over you. Jan |
||
| guy |
splother - is that a technical term? | ||
| Annie as admin |
yes it means spewtle | ||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Yes.....you objecting 
|
||
| guy |
just checking to see if it was technical rather than vernacular. | ||
| johnhod |
"his worse problem is he likes to eat his own poo and other dogs poo"
If this is his worse problem don't worry too much. Moss did this when he was younger but now seems to have grown out of it. As others have said earlier Brittanys need exercise, both physical and mental. I don't think I've come across a breed with a lower boredom threshold, I'm sure they only sleep to dream up other forms of mischief. Stick with it though, if you can, they are a great breed and full of fun. |
||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
He is also going through that teenage phase [lasts from birth till around 4]
and he will try it on. You have to be VERY firm with him and insist on him doing what YOU want him to do, not the other way around. If he persists do what his mother would have done and growl at him, hold him either side of the scruff of the neck lift his front feet off the ground and shake him, growling at him the whole time. Don't lift him so far off the ground that his rear comes up and when you have done it do some heelwork on the lead then praise him [he should be on the lead anyway] If he is really naughty in the house shut him in his pen and leave him, don't speak to him as this is the attention he wants. Just think I have all this to come.....must be mad to get another one.
Jan |
||
| Annie as admin |
And DON'T give up on him - they are a super breed and worth putting effort into!
Ask any questions you like - we have probably all had your problems at some stage and we will try to help! Annie |
||
| honeys humans |
hi jane, don't worry brittanys make fantastic pets, honey is now 10, has never bitten and loves children. of course when she was a pup she got into plenty of mischief but its in her nature to want to please us and she's an important part of the family
never had the problem of poo eating (except horse and fox - its irresistable!) but i did find this interesting article on the subject: http://www.petbehaviourcentre.com/us/us_articles/us_poo.htm whats his name? do you have a photo of him to share? best wishes |
||
| june colley |
ProblemsEating poop seems to be a common thing to do. Both of mine like sheep, horse, rabbit, fox, cow an on occasion human poop (some humans can be so disgusting althought they have been known to leave the loo roll behind! Don't ask why someone is using a footpath across a field as a toilet, I can't work it out either). My two get fed twice a day and are on Hills Science which is a complete dry food so that should rule out some of the reasons listed earlier. Only thing that works (some of the time) is to keep them away - fresh horse droppings are the favourite and usually quite easy to spot. Wait while he discovers rolling in fox poo - that's a real challenge, the smell stays for ages... |
||
| Naomi |
Hi,
I too am new to the forum and new to Brittanys. We got our first Brittany a month ago and she’s 7 months old now. I am amazed at what a wonderful, clever, loving but crazy dog she is! We were originally looking for a companion/playmate for our 3 year old Beagle. We didn’t want another Beagle basically because they are very hard to train, he’s very aloof and doesn’t like much cuddles etc and we still can’t walk him off the lead however our Brittany is a complete contrast, she will do what we ask because she seems to want to please us. I’ve taken her to a few local shows and she seems to love it too. She’s a wonderful family pet getting along with the kids and the barmy Beagle just fine. I’m so glad we stumbled across the Brittany! Naomi 
|
||
| guy |
welcome aboard Naomi. | ||
| johnhod |
Hi Naomi, welcome to the forum. I got my first Brittany in December last year and I'm hooked. If you ever need any help or advice the forum is a great place to start, the people on it are friendly and always prepared to share their knowledge.
John |
||
| guy |
John - hooked is a good word - I had my first a couple of years ago and now have three! So Naomi be warned :-) | ||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Yes I now have two and...but then it's a well known fact that I'm off my rocker
Jan |
||
| guy |
who's got my marbles? | ||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Marbles Another game for the club show evening
Jan |
||
| Annie as admin |
Julia????????? |
||
| honeys humans |
hello naomi, what's your brittanys name? do you have a photo you'd like to share? you still have time to join the latest photo competition 'dog day afternoon' at: http://www.epagneulbreton.org.uk/BCGB/cpg1412/index.php
regards |
||
| Naomi |
Hi everyone and thanks very much for the warm welcome,
My Brittany's name is Cedar and she's beautiful but aren't they all I will take some pic’s on the digi camera and upload them soon. We haven't had any problems with her to date so fingers crossed! I'm taking her to the Brittany Champ show in October. I'm really looking forward to seeing more Brittanys. All the family are completely smitten with her even the Barmy Beagle who she torments relentlessly, her favorite game is tugging on his ears.
Naomi 
|
||
| Annie as admin |
Hi Naomi - remember to say hello to all of us - just had a thought - should we all wear a badge with our screen name on?
Annie |
||
| Ghilliegumdrop |
Well Ghillie won't need to Naomi, she's the one in Open Bitch that goes up and down like a yoyo
Jan |
||
| Naomi |
Ahhh so they all bounce? It's like Cedar is on springs! I'd love to say hello to you all. Cedar is in minor puppy bitch and puppy bitch so please feel free to come and say hello.
Naomi |
||
| Annie as admin |
If you give us her KC name we'll look up the catalogue and know who you are by your number.
Annie |
||
| Naomi |
lol Yes I guess that would be the easiest, her kennel club name is Eastonite Cedar. We didn't change her name as she was 6 months old when we got her.
Naomi |
||
| Victoria |
Hi Jane, welcome to the forum. I am sorry you are having problems with your puppy.
The eating of canine droppings is not good, not good AT ALL!! Make a point of picking them up and disposing of them before he has a chance. Boil up some good beef bones and let him gnaw away at them; he may need worming. Over here (New Zealand) we can buy dry roasted pig ears which keeps a Brittany puppy occupied for a long time and they love them!! I wonder if you have them over there. Try incorporating Kelp powder (seaweed meal) in his diet. Check to see if he is not constipated. His constant need for attention may indicate a lack of confidence in him. Constant reassurance from you will help so any 'game' you can play with him in which results in a win for him and thus your praise will help him gain confidence. Make a point of saving some time to have real close moments with him so he knows you are on his side and that he can trust you - even when you are hanging out washing for instance, call him and include him in the activity by getting him to go with you. Structured activities such as obedience classes etc at this stage would be a bit premature because he needs to learn to trust you first. Brittany's make the most wonderful of companions with their lively, intelligent sense of humour, and the need to please. And as you say Jane, the Brittany is very sensitive to their humans so he will know that all is not well. Have fun with your puppy. Get out on the lawn and play with him (the neighbours will probably think you've gone completely loopy but what the heck!!!!!) 
|
||