Our mini schnauzer eats sand don't know why. I am also a nurse and I think dogs just like the taste of dirt. If they are missing something in their diets what could it possibly be what nutreints are in dirt that would be beneficial to a dogs health? How abouy sand? My chickens eat sand and small stones to help grind their food as does most all birds. Maybe the dog has thought he was a chicken all this time?haha