With the utmost certainty, I assure you if the neighbors in our condo building ever listened to the conversations in our home, they were horrified and moved on. That\u2019s because most of the time, my partner and I talk about dog poop.<\/p>\n
Our Labradors, Daisy and Jackson, have pooping issues. It makes city living in our backyard-less Boston neighborhood a challenge. When one of us returns from a stroll with the dogs, the post-walk interrogation and bickering begins: \u201cDid Daisy eat poop? Why didn\u2019t you watch her more closely? Did Jackson poop? You know he hates pooping in that park!\u201d<\/p>\n
Picky Poopers<\/h3>\n
For Jackson, the wind, barometric pressure and temperature need to be just right for him to poop. He also requires the perfect bush. Once he finds this treasured shrub, he backs his rear end right into it and defecates. Sometimes his deposits fall onto different branches, adorning them like Christmas tree ornaments. When I pick it up with a baggie, I can\u2019t jiggle the limbs or poop falls on my arm.<\/p>\n
Why are some dogs such picky poopers?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t we all a little particular about where we, well, go to the bathroom? Dogs are no different,\u201d says board-certified veterinary behaviorist Lisa Radosta from Florida Veterinary Behavior Service.<\/p>\n Canines have different reasons for being choosy. \u201cSome dogs were taught by their human parents, sometimes inadvertently, to eliminate in one area or on one surface,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cIf a dog lives in a house with a yard and always eliminates on grass, it may be a challenge to get that dog to eliminate on concrete or rock.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Radosta suspects that Jackson is fearful when he\u2019s outside. \u201cDogs who are scared are constantly hypervigilant, scanning the environment,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is tough to be vulnerable and settle down for a good poop when you\u00a0\u2192 Interestingly, before we adopted Jackson, he was a stray in a rural area and likely had to be watchful to stay alive.<\/p>\n For some pups, being choosy may be a turf battle. \u201cDogs can use urine and feces to mark territory,\u201d says board-certified applied animal behaviorist Megan Maxwell, PhD. \u201cYou might see a dog looking for an elevated spot to poop or one where the wind is likely to carry the scent.\u201d<\/p>\n While Jackson\u2019s pooping is mysterious, Daisy suffers from a seasonal grossness disorder. In the winter, she gobbles down poopsicles, frozen dog waste irresponsible owners leave behind. Excrement eating \u2014 coprophagia \u2014 is downright horrifying to humans, but experts say it\u2019s common.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is normal dog behavior,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cMother dogs eat their pup\u2019s feces to keep the den clean. Dogs may learn to eat feces through normal exploration. Dogs can certainly lack proper nutrition or have underlying systemic disease, which can also contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Radosta adds that feces containing undigested food may smell appetizing to dogs. My guess is Daisy, who eats nearly anything, likely thinks, \u201cOh, the aroma! I need to devour this quickly before my mom flips out!\u201d<\/p>\n Cori Johnson definitely can\u2019t participate in those social media games where people are asked to post the third photo in their phone because chances are hers is a pile of doggie doo.<\/p>\n The former nurse volunteers for an animal rescue and uses her medical skills to field fosters\u2019 concerns. Cori\u2019s phone is filled with poop pics and texts that say, \u201cDoes this look normal to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome dogs come right out of shelters,\u201d Cori says. \u201cThey haven\u2019t always had the best nutrition or care. The pictures are revealing.\u201d<\/p>\n Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Lindsey Bullen with VetScoop.com says her inbox is also flooded with feces photos, and she\u2019s thrilled. \u201cPoop is a window to the inner soul. It tells us a lot about the body.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what is normal? \u201cWe want stool to be formed and have that log appearance,\u201d Dr. Bullen says. \u201cWhen you pick it up, it shouldn\u2019t fall apart. It shouldn\u2019t smear, but it shouldn\u2019t be dried out.\u201d<\/p>\n If a pup\u2019s poop changes appearance, is stinkier than usual or turns a different color, that could signal a problem. If a dog goes more or less often, take note.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the expert when it comes to your pet,\u201d Dr. Bullen explains. \u201cYou know what their poop used to look like. You know what it used to smell like. You know how easy or hard it was to pick up. Any changes could warrant investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n Anything out of the norm is worth seeking medical advice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is never wrong to call your vet. I want to emphasize the importance of finding a vet pet parents feel comfortable with to talk about poop or send pictures,\u201d Dr. Bullen says.<\/p>\n Veterinarians can run tests to find the cause of a pooping problem. But don\u2019t wait for a predicament; regular exams, fecal tests and heartworm prevention with a de-wormer are crucial to keeping dogs healthy.<\/p>\n What are solutions for dogs who dine on doo and peculiar poopers? If pooches with coprophagia have no underlying medical issues, scoop up backyard poop immediately, so there\u2019s nothing to eat. And work on training.<\/p>\n \u201cTeach the dog a leave-it cue,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cWhen you see your dog moving toward the poop, ask her to \u2018Leave it,\u2019 and when she comes back to you, reward her with a tasty treat every single time.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Maxwell also suggests positive reinforcement for picky poopers like Jackson. \u201cYou could walk him in more open spaces, so he gradually gets used to relieving himself on grass,\u201d she says. \u201cBring treats, and as soon as he finishes pooping on a flat surface, praise merrily and provide a treat.\u201d<\/p>\n Veterinarians, behaviorists, and certified trainers are excellent resources for pet parents concerned \u2014 or even bickering \u2014 about their dog\u2019s pooping habits.<\/p>\n If a\u00a0pup\u2019s\u00a0poop changes appearance,\u00a0is\u00a0stinkier\u00a0than usual or turns a\u00a0different color, that could\u00a0signal a problem.\u00a0If a dog goes more or less often, take note, too.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Poop problems can be caused by quite a variety of things, which is why dog lovers have to become poop police.<\/p>\n Causes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n It may be a sign of:<\/strong><\/p>\n If a dog is straining or pooping less frequently, it might be:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cleaning up poop is so much easier with today\u2019s poop products. Here are just a few:<\/p>\n Nature\u2019s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator $15.49<\/em>; chewy.com<\/a><\/p>\n The Original Poop Bags: USDA Biobased Peanuts Leash Rolls and Peanuts Dispenser $4.99\/60 bags and $4.99\/ dispenser<\/em>; poopbags.com<\/a>. *part of the company\u2019s You Buy, We Donate program, helping pet shelters, dog parks and animals in need.<\/p>\n The post Poop Problems<\/a> by Mary Schwager<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n The post Poop Problems<\/a> by Mary Schwager<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n With the utmost certainty, I assure you if the neighbors in our condo building ever listened to the conversations in our home, they were horrified and moved on. That\u2019s because most of the time, my partner and I talk about dog poop.<\/p>\n Our Labradors, Daisy and Jackson, have pooping issues. It makes city living in our backyard-less Boston neighborhood a challenge. When one of us returns from a stroll with the dogs, the post-walk interrogation and bickering begins: \u201cDid Daisy eat poop? Why didn\u2019t you watch her more closely? Did Jackson poop? You know he hates pooping in that park!\u201d<\/p>\n For Jackson, the wind, barometric pressure and temperature need to be just right for him to poop. He also requires the perfect bush. Once he finds this treasured shrub, he backs his rear end right into it and defecates. Sometimes his deposits fall onto different branches, adorning them like Christmas tree ornaments. When I pick it up with a baggie, I can\u2019t jiggle the limbs or poop falls on my arm.<\/p>\n Why are some dogs such picky poopers?<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAren\u2019t we all a little particular about where we, well, go to the bathroom? Dogs are no different,\u201d says board-certified veterinary behaviorist Lisa Radosta from Florida Veterinary Behavior Service.<\/p>\n Canines have different reasons for being choosy. \u201cSome dogs were taught by their human parents, sometimes inadvertently, to eliminate in one area or on one surface,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cIf a dog lives in a house with a yard and always eliminates on grass, it may be a challenge to get that dog to eliminate on concrete or rock.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Radosta suspects that Jackson is fearful when he\u2019s outside. \u201cDogs who are scared are constantly hypervigilant, scanning the environment,\u201d she says. \u201cIt is tough to be vulnerable and settle down for a good poop when you\u00a0\u2192 Interestingly, before we adopted Jackson, he was a stray in a rural area and likely had to be watchful to stay alive.<\/p>\n For some pups, being choosy may be a turf battle. \u201cDogs can use urine and feces to mark territory,\u201d says board-certified applied animal behaviorist Megan Maxwell, PhD. \u201cYou might see a dog looking for an elevated spot to poop or one where the wind is likely to carry the scent.\u201d<\/p>\n While Jackson\u2019s pooping is mysterious, Daisy suffers from a seasonal grossness disorder. In the winter, she gobbles down poopsicles, frozen dog waste irresponsible owners leave behind. Excrement eating \u2014 coprophagia \u2014 is downright horrifying to humans, but experts say it\u2019s common.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is normal dog behavior,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cMother dogs eat their pup\u2019s feces to keep the den clean. Dogs may learn to eat feces through normal exploration. Dogs can certainly lack proper nutrition or have underlying systemic disease, which can also contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Radosta adds that feces containing undigested food may smell appetizing to dogs. My guess is Daisy, who eats nearly anything, likely thinks, \u201cOh, the aroma! I need to devour this quickly before my mom flips out!\u201d<\/p>\n Cori Johnson definitely can\u2019t participate in those social media games where people are asked to post the third photo in their phone because chances are hers is a pile of doggie doo.<\/p>\n The former nurse volunteers for an animal rescue and uses her medical skills to field fosters\u2019 concerns. Cori\u2019s phone is filled with poop pics and texts that say, \u201cDoes this look normal to you?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSome dogs come right out of shelters,\u201d Cori says. \u201cThey haven\u2019t always had the best nutrition or care. The pictures are revealing.\u201d<\/p>\n Board-certified veterinary nutritionist Lindsey Bullen with VetScoop.com says her inbox is also flooded with feces photos, and she\u2019s thrilled. \u201cPoop is a window to the inner soul. It tells us a lot about the body.\u201d<\/p>\n So, what is normal? \u201cWe want stool to be formed and have that log appearance,\u201d Dr. Bullen says. \u201cWhen you pick it up, it shouldn\u2019t fall apart. It shouldn\u2019t smear, but it shouldn\u2019t be dried out.\u201d<\/p>\n If a pup\u2019s poop changes appearance, is stinkier than usual or turns a different color, that could signal a problem. If a dog goes more or less often, take note.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re the expert when it comes to your pet,\u201d Dr. Bullen explains. \u201cYou know what their poop used to look like. You know what it used to smell like. You know how easy or hard it was to pick up. Any changes could warrant investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n Anything out of the norm is worth seeking medical advice.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is never wrong to call your vet. I want to emphasize the importance of finding a vet pet parents feel comfortable with to talk about poop or send pictures,\u201d Dr. Bullen says.<\/p>\n Veterinarians can run tests to find the cause of a pooping problem. But don\u2019t wait for a predicament; regular exams, fecal tests and heartworm prevention with a de-wormer are crucial to keeping dogs healthy.<\/p>\n What are solutions for dogs who dine on doo and peculiar poopers? If pooches with coprophagia have no underlying medical issues, scoop up backyard poop immediately, so there\u2019s nothing to eat. And work on training.<\/p>\n \u201cTeach the dog a leave-it cue,\u201d Dr. Radosta says. \u201cWhen you see your dog moving toward the poop, ask her to \u2018Leave it,\u2019 and when she comes back to you, reward her with a tasty treat every single time.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Maxwell also suggests positive reinforcement for picky poopers like Jackson. \u201cYou could walk him in more open spaces, so he gradually gets used to relieving himself on grass,\u201d she says. \u201cBring treats, and as soon as he finishes pooping on a flat surface, praise merrily and provide a treat.\u201d<\/p>\n Veterinarians, behaviorists, and certified trainers are excellent resources for pet parents concerned \u2014 or even bickering \u2014 about their dog\u2019s pooping habits.<\/p>\n If a\u00a0pup\u2019s\u00a0poop changes appearance,\u00a0is\u00a0stinkier\u00a0than usual or turns a\u00a0different color, that could\u00a0signal a problem.\u00a0If a dog goes more or less often, take note, too.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Poop problems can be caused by quite a variety of things, which is why dog lovers have to become poop police.<\/p>\n Causes include:<\/strong><\/p>\n It may be a sign of:<\/strong><\/p>\n If a dog is straining or pooping less frequently, it might be:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cleaning up poop is so much easier with today\u2019s poop products. Here are just a few:<\/p>\n Nature\u2019s Miracle Advanced Stain and Odor Eliminator $15.49<\/em>; chewy.com<\/a><\/p>\n The Original Poop Bags: USDA Biobased Peanuts Leash Rolls and Peanuts Dispenser $4.99\/60 bags and $4.99\/ dispenser<\/em>; poopbags.com<\/a>. *part of the company\u2019s You Buy, We Donate program, helping pet shelters, dog parks and animals in need.<\/p>\n The post Poop Problems<\/a> by Mary Schwager<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LabJacksonMarySchwaeger.png\")
\nare always looking for the monsters behind the next house. He may back up to the bush because that seems safer.\u201d<\/p>\nPoop Eating<\/h3>\n
Does this look normal?<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/LabDaisy.heic_copy.png\")
Fecal Matters<\/h3>\n
Solving Problems: Behavior Challenges<\/h3>\n
\n
Fecal Fluctuations<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/s36700.pcdn.co\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/1_Poodle_poop_Getty137154275-600x501.png\")
\n
\n
\n
Picky Poopers<\/h3>\n
\nare always looking for the monsters behind the next house. He may back up to the bush because that seems safer.\u201d<\/p>\nPoop Eating<\/h3>\n
Does this look normal?<\/h3>\n
Fecal Matters<\/h3>\n
Solving Problems: Behavior Challenges<\/h3>\n
\n
Fecal Fluctuations<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n