Why does Ringo eat goose poop like it's a delicacy?

[Michelle]

We have a lake on our property, and a half dozen geese live there. Ringo will seek out every bit that he can find, and eat it. If it was just occasionally, I wouldn't really care, but it is becoming borderline obsessive, as in he scours the area looking for it at every opportunity that presents itself. I try to keep my eye on him but if I am talking, or cooking,( it's also our picnic area), he's looking!
I have ruled out a few things, he does not have worms, his bloodwork was as perfect as it could be, and he is certainly not hungry. I do give him vitamins, but not every day.
Will it hurt him? I would hate to have to keep him tied up when we are back there, it's a perfect place for him to run and play in the water.
I cannot get rid of the geese...they were there first.

Thanks for any info that can be given!

Michelle and Ringo

[Adam20v]

This is kind of funny because Charlie does the same exact thing.  We have a pond by our house and the trail around it is covered in goose poo.  He loves it!  We always have him on leash around the pond so I just hold his head high as we go by any poo...I don't have any other advice unfortunately...

[Joego84]

Bo does the same thing! Horse poo as well! There's something in there that they like. If I can catch him I tell him NO. Not sure how harmful it is. They'll be some people on here that will be able to point you in the right direction. Just disgusting haha
 

[rhodesianridgebackd]

Dex does the same thing at the lake close to my place. It's filled with loud, bold ducks. She eats the poo and then wants to chase them. She also likes cat poo. I keep her head up when we pass the poo. I can't imagine poo is good at all..

This is funny. I guess it's a dog thing.

[Vince]

Add Kona to the list. She likes to finish it off with a deer poop chaser whenever possible.

[Michelle]

OMG!!! We are doomed! It's getting harder to catch him and stop him, while retching...I will wait for more info from someone who can tell us if its harmful....Thanks, guys!!

Michelle and Ringo

[CA in TO]

Michelle, I did some googling and it appears that it is not all that unhealthy. Some say it is BUT most say it is not. I do everything I can to prevent them eating it (goose) because in quantity it always results in retching. Trouble, with his cleft palate is at serious risk of aspiration if he vomits.
I can tell your at they both prefer deer droppings. I think they think it's the best feature of going to Terracotta

[CA in TO]

I can tell your at they both prefer deer droppings. I think they think it's the best feature of going to Terracotta

I must pay attention to the auto correct. That should read: "I can tell you that"

[Michelle]

Blech....oh well, he is so good about being off leash and listening that as long as it's not going to hurt him, I am not going to worry about it too much, but I won't just let him go crazy either.
It's a real appetite suppressant though, for those who are having a picnic.

Thanks for the help everybody! Thanks Carol Ann!! I look forward to meeting you at RR Rodeo!

Michelle and Ringo

[heiditr]

The rule here, after visiting the chicken coop or the horses, is NO kissing/licking

Discusting habit, but they are dogs 

One year, our new puppy just gained weight and was turning chubby, despite smaller meals... Turned out he helped himself to big portions of deer poop. Cheap way to raise a puppy?

Heidi

[caro]

My dogs spend every morning when they first go out scouring the orchard for rabbit poo.  It's like ice cream to them.  Unfortunately in excess they will throw up, just like children with too much ice cream.  I don't think it is bad for them, but it is rich and can have a bad effect on a delicate stomach.  Also, as Heidi says no licking or kissing after gorging on such things.  Horrible habbit, bad breath, and dirty teeth can result.

Caroline

[Michelle]

@ Heidi- I would draw the line at chicken poo! I would actually muzzle him before I'd let him eat it!! LOL!! I am one of those people that this habit totally grosses out, it almost makes me vomit to see it.
My lab that I've had for 14 years is horrified at the sight of poo of any kind. I have seen him jump a foot in the air upon spotting any kind of poo to avoid stepping in it!

I think my concerns for his health are unfounded by the responses here...we'd have a lot of sick puppies! I was concerned about bacteria and the like.

Oh, and Caroline, I am working on getting Ringo used to an electric toothbrush!! 

Michelle and Ringo