We have a 5 month old lab/shepherd mix who had stopped - and now just started this behavior as well (eating his own - not other dogs). I think my Dad is the ultimate accidental cause of this; he goes outside to stop him from doing it which actually causes him to do it. I read that feeding him a bit of pineapple (not a lot, and not everyday due to the high acidity) would get them to stop doing it. Sounds better than dousing his poop in hot sauce (?!?). <---A suggestion I've heard many times but refuse to do.