Eating her own poop?!?! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

DukesMommy · 07-13-2008, 12:22 PM

Lucie has been eating her own poop! I keep a potty pad in her playpen at all times and when she is running around I keep one on the floor. Whenever she goes potty, I have to pick it up right away or she eats it

Which is kind of hard to do all the time because if she is in the playpen I am not right there to see if she goes potty all the time. Is it normal for them to do this??? Duke never did this as a puppy so I don't know what to do about it.

she is almost 13 weeks, and I am having another potty problem too. She was doing really good with the potty pads at first, but now, in her play pen she has started going pee everywhere instead of just on the pad, and I always make sure there is a clean one in there. At night if she is ready to go sleep I put her in the bed with my husband and I, I try to have her go potty before we put her in the bed, but she has been going in the bed more and more, last night she was laying by me, got up, went to my husbands side and peed right next to him!! I wasn't actively potty training yet, I thought she is too little, and all her shots aren't done yet, but are there any suggestions for how to encourage her to go on the pad and not on the bed?
I never had this much trouble with Duke as a puppy!!

BethPurk · 07-13-2008, 12:59 PM

I wish I had some advice for you! The other day Sadie ate the cats poop right out of the kitty litter box (that even has a cover on it) and then she threw it up all over the floor! Talk about disquesting stuff!!! I dont think she'll do THAT again though!! LOL!!

jennylee333 · 07-13-2008, 01:05 PM

As far as eating the poop...The dog trainer (english woman) says if you feed them small piece of pineapple it makes thier poop gross to eat! and they will stop!!!

DukesMommy · 07-13-2008, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BethPurk

I wish I had some advice for you! The other day Sadie ate the cats poop right out of the kitty litter box (that even has a cover on it) and then she threw it up all over the floor! Talk about disquesting stuff!!! I dont think she'll do THAT again though!! LOL!!

Oh yuk!

Duke has tried getting in the litter box but I caught him before he did anything. sooo grossssss!!

DukesMommy · 07-13-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennylee333

As far as eating the poop...The dog trainer (english woman) says if you feed them small piece of pineapple it makes thier poop gross to eat! and they will stop!!!

hmm..I'm willing to try anything, hopefully it will make her stop! Thanks.

Nancy1999 · 07-13-2008, 01:20 PM

This is called Coprophagia, and can be caused by many things, but many experts say it's because they smell some undigested nutrient in the poop, and BethPurk, don't believe that the dog won't do it again, cat poop is especially appealing and many people find that they have to place the litter box in a place the dog can't reach or up high. Some people have found that placing a gate in front of the door helps because cats can jump over it and dogs can't. If the dog is eating his own poop there are several methods that might help. Unseasoned meat tenderizer has an ingredient in it that helps digest the protein when dog first processes it so poop won't seem nutritious to him. Pumpkin and pineapple are also said to work. In addition, there is an additive sold at pet stores that make poop taste awful, like doesn't taste bad enough already? Here's a link for more information: Stopping Dogs From Eating Poop

For the pee pad problem, some people use more pee pads so that its hard for them to make a mistake. I suggest not allowing her to sleep in the bed this early, she won't pee where "she" sleeps, but this doesn't keep her from thinking the other side of the bed, is a whole other state. We kept a small kennel-like bed next to ours. It was small enough that Joey wasn't tempted to go in it. He usually cried one or two times a night, and I would place him on a pad in the bathroom and keep him on it until he peed, then he returned to his "crate." In the morning I took him outside because I wanted to train him both ways. After several months he graduated to our bed and I keep a pee-pad on the chest at the foot of the bed and he had no problem learning this. Then the pad was moved to the floor with steps of course, and later we moved it to a different room. This is a great link to house training: Free House Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs - No More Accidents Starting Today!

DukesMommy · 07-13-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

This is called Coprophagia, and can be caused by many things, but many experts say it's because they smell some undigested nutrient in the poop, and BethPurk, don't believe that the dog won't do it again, cat poop is especially appealing and many people find that they have to place the litter box in a place the dog can't reach or up high. Some people have found that placing a gate in front of the door helps because cats can jump over it and dogs can't. If the dog is eating his own poop there are several methods that might help. Unseasoned meat tenderizer has an ingredient in it that helps digest the protein when dog first processes it so poop won't seem nutritious to him. Pumpkin and pineapple are also said to work. In addition, there is an additive sold at pet stores that make poop taste awful, like doesn't taste bad enough already? Here's a link for more information: Stopping Dogs From Eating Poop

For the pee pad problem, some people use more pee pads so that its hard for them to make a mistake. I suggest not allowing her to sleep in the bed this early, she won't pee where "she" sleeps, but this doesn't keep her from thinking the other side of the bed, is a whole other state. We kept a small kennel-like bed next to ours. It was small enough that Joey wasn't tempted to go in it. He usually cried one or two times a night, and I would place him on a pad in the bathroom and keep him on it until he peed, then he returned to his "crate." In the morning I took him outside because I wanted to train him both ways. After several months he graduated to our bed and I keep a pee-pad on the chest at the foot of the bed and he had no problem learning this. Then the pad was moved to the floor with steps of course, and later we moved it to a different room. This is a great link to house training: Free House Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs - No More Accidents Starting Today!

Thanks!
I just might have to get a smaller crate for her at night, I thought she was getting the hang of using the pads because she was using them, but some days she does good on the bed and other days she doesn't. The wierd thing is, she will hold it through the night until I get up to put her on a pad, it's just when I first put her in the bed that she will potty.

Safire · 07-13-2008, 01:48 PM

Both dogs I had ate their poop when they were puppies, but they both grew out of it on their own. Firmly tell Lucie 'no' if you catch her doing it. (This probably won't stop her from doing it again, but at least she won't do it in front of you!)

And I'd watch out for puppy kisses until she's out of the woods on this one...

Nancy1999 · 07-13-2008, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukesMommy

Thanks!
I just might have to get a smaller crate for her at night, I thought she was getting the hang of using the pads because she was using them, but some days she does good on the bed and other days she doesn't. The wierd thing is, she will hold it through the night until I get up to put her on a pad, it's just when I first put her in the bed that she will potty.

If she's holding it through the night, she may be unconfortable doing this. I mean many dogs will hold it forever rather than pee in a small confinement, that why it's relatively easy to crate train. I think I would get her up once and place her on the pee pad, I wake up during the night so that's not hard for me. As you can see, left to her own devises she will just pee, but not next where she's sleeping. Would it be possible for you to place her on the pad sometime during the night?

DukesMommy · 07-13-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

If she's holding it through the night, she may be unconfortable doing this. I mean many dogs will hold it forever rather than pee in a small confinement, that why it's relatively easy to crate train. I think I would get her up once and place her on the pee pad, I wake up during the night so that's not hard for me. As you can see, left to her own devises she will just pee, but not next where she's sleeping. Would it be possible for you to place her on the pad sometime during the night?

Yeah, I usually wake up at least once during the night, she just stays asleep when I do so I don't wake her up. But I can start getting her up each time I do, to get her to try.

Nancy1999 · 07-13-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DukesMommy

Yeah, I usually wake up at least once during the night, she just stays asleep when I do so I don't wake her up. But I can start getting her up each time I do, to get her to try.

It probably sounds a little crazy, but especially if you want her to sleep with you, I'd try this. I think when she's around 4-5 months it may not be necessary, but Joey seemed to have a very small bladder, and I think even at 6 months was getting up at night.

JENNGENE01_ · 07-13-2008, 05:17 PM

I have tons of experience with pups eating poops (from rescuing). There are several reasons why dogs eat poop 1) they smell undigested food 2) having worm or parasite in them that they are constantly hungry 3) from poor breeding-meaning coming from a backyard breeder or kennel that isn't cleaning up so the mother would eat the poop and make sure everything is clean for her pups and little pups learn from her eating the poop so they continue the same the habit.

There are tablets at your local pet shop that helps them from eating their poop. (you will just need to ask because different makers have their own names) I would first try the pineapple but it might not work for all dogs. I've known some that it didn't work for at all. Also you can't give them the chance to try to eat it. As soon as she/he poops pick up or even try giving a small treat when he/she ignores the poop.

On the peeing on the bed my little one did the same thing. The problem with a puppy that is only a 13 weeks old is that they don't know that your bed is your bed. They think that it is another part of the floor. So for the first couple of months it is training and teaching them that the bed is for sleeping and crating at night mgiht be your best option. If he/she starts crying because they want to get up on the bed or out of the crate just simply get small table or something that is at level of your bed and put the crate on there and pet them to sleep. This will be good for the both of you as they will be secure and your bed will be free from wet spots. I hope this helps and if you have any questions please don't be shy to pm me

Jenn

BethPurk · 07-13-2008, 07:26 PM

Nancy, Ya know, I was talking to my husband today about how Sadie ate the cats poop and he said that we should put the door on the kitty litter box thing! A DOOR?! Theres a DOOR on it that Ive never seen?! LMAO!! So he put the door on it today - Who knew??? LOL!! Sadie went right over (because she watched us put it on) and she cant bump it open! That should work for the time being; atleast until she grows stronger to push it open and maybe by then she will have grown out of wanting to eat it! Maybe?! LOL!!

spoiledgirls · 07-13-2008, 07:34 PM

Jasmine is one and eats her poop! I might try the pineapple thing though! Never heard that.

07-13-2008, 12:22 PM	#1
DukesMommy YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: CA Posts: 682	Eating her own poop?!?! Lucie has been eating her own poop! I keep a potty pad in her playpen at all times and when she is running around I keep one on the floor. Whenever she goes potty, I have to pick it up right away or she eats it Which is kind of hard to do all the time because if she is in the playpen I am not right there to see if she goes potty all the time. Is it normal for them to do this??? Duke never did this as a puppy so I don't know what to do about it. she is almost 13 weeks, and I am having another potty problem too. She was doing really good with the potty pads at first, but now, in her play pen she has started going pee everywhere instead of just on the pad, and I always make sure there is a clean one in there. At night if she is ready to go sleep I put her in the bed with my husband and I, I try to have her go potty before we put her in the bed, but she has been going in the bed more and more, last night she was laying by me, got up, went to my husbands side and peed right next to him!! I wasn't actively potty training yet, I thought she is too little, and all her shots aren't done yet, but are there any suggestions for how to encourage her to go on the pad and not on the bed? I never had this much trouble with Duke as a puppy!! __________________ Kati,Duke,and Lucie

07-13-2008, 01:20 PM	#6
Nancy1999 I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 25,396 Blog Entries: 2	This is called Coprophagia, and can be caused by many things, but many experts say it's because they smell some undigested nutrient in the poop, and BethPurk, don't believe that the dog won't do it again, cat poop is especially appealing and many people find that they have to place the litter box in a place the dog can't reach or up high. Some people have found that placing a gate in front of the door helps because cats can jump over it and dogs can't. If the dog is eating his own poop there are several methods that might help. Unseasoned meat tenderizer has an ingredient in it that helps digest the protein when dog first processes it so poop won't seem nutritious to him. Pumpkin and pineapple are also said to work. In addition, there is an additive sold at pet stores that make poop taste awful, like doesn't taste bad enough already? Here's a link for more information: Stopping Dogs From Eating Poop For the pee pad problem, some people use more pee pads so that its hard for them to make a mistake. I suggest not allowing her to sleep in the bed this early, she won't pee where "she" sleeps, but this doesn't keep her from thinking the other side of the bed, is a whole other state. We kept a small kennel-like bed next to ours. It was small enough that Joey wasn't tempted to go in it. He usually cried one or two times a night, and I would place him on a pad in the bathroom and keep him on it until he peed, then he returned to his "crate." In the morning I took him outside because I wanted to train him both ways. After several months he graduated to our bed and I keep a pee-pad on the chest at the foot of the bed and he had no problem learning this. Then the pad was moved to the floor with steps of course, and later we moved it to a different room. This is a great link to house training: Free House Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs - No More Accidents Starting Today! __________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals Last edited by Nancy1999; 07-13-2008 at 01:22 PM.

07-13-2008, 01:48 PM	#8
Safire Addicted to Tetley Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 964	Both dogs I had ate their poop when they were puppies, but they both grew out of it on their own. Firmly tell Lucie 'no' if you catch her doing it. (This probably won't stop her from doing it again, but at least she won't do it in front of you!) And I'd watch out for puppy kisses until she's out of the woods on this one... __________________ Safire Tetley See me on Dogster: http://www.dogster.com/?452576

07-13-2008, 07:34 PM	#14
spoiledgirls Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Kansas Posts: 724	Jasmine is one and eats her poop! I might try the pineapple thing though! Never heard that. __________________ Yorkies are like potato chips, you can never have just one! Amy , Breanna and Gracie , Sasha , Jasmine , Gretchen, and Izzy Proud member of Petite Pups Unite, and the YAP club Join YAP Here!

07-13-2008, 12:59 PM	#2
BethPurk Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Susanville, Ca, USA Posts: 160	I wish I had some advice for you! The other day Sadie ate the cats poop right out of the kitty litter box (that even has a cover on it) and then she threw it up all over the floor! Talk about disquesting stuff!!! I dont think she'll do THAT again though!! LOL!!

07-13-2008, 01:05 PM	#3
jennylee333 YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Missouri Posts: 274	As far as eating the poop...The dog trainer (english woman) says if you feed them small piece of pineapple it makes thier poop gross to eat! and they will stop!!!

07-13-2008, 05:17 PM	#12
JENNGENE01_ Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: SADDLE BROOK Posts: 145	I have tons of experience with pups eating poops (from rescuing). There are several reasons why dogs eat poop 1) they smell undigested food 2) having worm or parasite in them that they are constantly hungry 3) from poor breeding-meaning coming from a backyard breeder or kennel that isn't cleaning up so the mother would eat the poop and make sure everything is clean for her pups and little pups learn from her eating the poop so they continue the same the habit. There are tablets at your local pet shop that helps them from eating their poop. (you will just need to ask because different makers have their own names) I would first try the pineapple but it might not work for all dogs. I've known some that it didn't work for at all. Also you can't give them the chance to try to eat it. As soon as she/he poops pick up or even try giving a small treat when he/she ignores the poop. On the peeing on the bed my little one did the same thing. The problem with a puppy that is only a 13 weeks old is that they don't know that your bed is your bed. They think that it is another part of the floor. So for the first couple of months it is training and teaching them that the bed is for sleeping and crating at night mgiht be your best option. If he/she starts crying because they want to get up on the bed or out of the crate just simply get small table or something that is at level of your bed and put the crate on there and pet them to sleep. This will be good for the both of you as they will be secure and your bed will be free from wet spots. I hope this helps and if you have any questions please don't be shy to pm me Jenn

07-13-2008, 07:26 PM	#13
BethPurk Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Susanville, Ca, USA Posts: 160	Nancy, Ya know, I was talking to my husband today about how Sadie ate the cats poop and he said that we should put the door on the kitty litter box thing! A DOOR?! Theres a DOOR on it that Ive never seen?! LMAO!! So he put the door on it today - Who knew??? LOL!! Sadie went right over (because she watched us put it on) and she cant bump it open! That should work for the time being; atleast until she grows stronger to push it open and maybe by then she will have grown out of wanting to eat it! Maybe?! LOL!!