for #3 - until that can be addressed properly by a trainer - take the dog for a walk or run first. that will burn off some of the excess energy so he won't be quite as "boundful". also stay with him and correct his behavior - "no jump" etc. remember that this behavior could be adversely affecting the kids too....big dog jumping - scary to see through kid's eyes.

for #4 - amazing! i feed my dogs the same things and one of them is a periodic poo eater too. I have been trying LOADS of ideas to break this. unfortunately none have worked. I keep coming back to the possibility that there is something missing from his diet that he craves. Tomorrow i start weaning them over to another dog food to see if that will help fill the need. i understand that this behavior is normal in canines, but his habit is out of control and extremely excessive....its like an adult on pain killers and then addicted...