[megansmomma]

Scotch Guard
Scotch Guard is really nothing more than paraffin based protector. It puts a waxy substance down which repels water and spills (and in this case, urine). You can make your own product by filling a spray bottle about 1/2 full of hot water. Shave off slivers of paraffin wax into the bottle (about 1/4 a bar should be fine) and then microwave until you don't see the slivers anymore. Shake and spray this onto the fabric areas you want to protect, such as the base of the sofa and the carpet below doorways or areas your dog is apt to mark. It may make the area stiff feeling at first but it will normally 'blend' in with normal household temperatures and humidity. (note: This is also great for high traffic areas of your home or along the carpet in front of the couch).

With the use of vinegar and/or homemade scotch guard, you should test a small area of the fabric/fiber that you will be using the product on and make sure it does not discolor, stain, or bleed.

Belly Bands
Sometimes these can be a (male) mill dog owner's best friend. Belly bands can be easily made at home out of things you probably already have. Depending on the size of your dog you can use the elastic end of your husband's tube socks, the sleeve of sweatshirt, etc. Simply fit the material to your dog and then place a female sanitary napkin under the penis. Another easy way is to measure your dog, cut the fabric and sew on Velcro to hold it in place. There are also many sites on the Internet to order these if making them yourself is just not up your alley. Just remember to take the belly band off every time you bring your dog out to potty. Again, this is not a solution, but a protective measure.

Quirks
Nothing is grosser than owning a dog that eats poop! Coprophagia is the technical term, but for the purpose of this article, we're just going to call it the 'affliction' . Dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes have the affliction but in puppy mill rescues, it is not uncommon at all to find dogs afflicted with this horrible habit. As in any bad habit, the cure lies in understanding the unacceptable behavior. There are three primary reasons that a puppy mill survivor is afflicted.

It tastes good and they are hungry! Rescues that have come from a mill where dogs were not fed properly often resort to eating their own or other dog's feces as a source of food. These types of situations will usually remedy themselves when the dog realizes that he is always going to get fed. It is also easy to discourage this behavior by adding over-the-counter products to their food which are manufactured for this purpose. Ask your vet what products are available and you will normally see results in 2-4 weeks.

Learned behavior
This is usually the cause of puppy mill dogs that have the affliction. There are several reasons why a dog learned to behave like this, but the most common cause is being housed with dominant dogs that fight over food. These dominant dogs will often guard the food dish and prevent the more submissive dogs from eating even if the dominant dog is not hungry. Food aggression in caged dogs is usually fast and furious and often results in injury to the submissive dogs. Because the dominant dog is often eating much more than is needed, the stool is virtually undigested and contains many of the nutrients and 'flavors' as the original meal and is therefore almost as tasty to the submissive dog as if he'd ate the real thing.

This eating pattern is usually maintained throughout the dog's life, so the age of your dog will play a big role in how hard it is to correct the behavior. It's become habit...and as the saying goes, "Old habits are hard to break". It may take weeks or months before your dog 'unlearns' to seek out stools.

As mentioned above, Coprophagia means 'eating poop'. Coprophagia is a form of a much more serious problem called Pica. Pica is the unnatural 'need' to eat foreign objects. Dogs suffering from Pica will eat rocks, dirt, sticks, etc. Remember the kid in school who ate paste and chalk and 'other unspeakables' ? Pica is a psychological disorder which is very in depth and serious.

A good rescuer will observe dogs prior to placement and will recognize the seriousness of this problem. A dog suffering from Pica should never be placed in an inexperienced home or any home that is not aware of the problem and the dangers. Dogs suffering from Pica will often end up having surgery ... often several times ... for objects they have ate that can not be digested. If you are the owner of a dog that you believe suffers from Pica, consult your vet.

These dogs often require medication for their disorder and only your vet can guide you on the best way to proceed. True Pica is rare. Most dogs will chew on sticks or rocks...or sofas and table legs. However, a dog suffering from Pica will not just chew on these items. They will eat these items any chance they get. Just because your dog is eating his own stool (and also the bar stool at the kitchen counter) does not mean that he is suffering from Pica. If in doubt, consult your vet.

The "special" ones
Occasionally, we see the survivor who has survived the mill, but at such a great cost that they can never be "brought around". These are the dogs that have endured so much suffering that they remind us of children who are abused who survive by separating their mind from the body. They will never fully trust anyone. So where does that leave these poor souls? Most are still capable of living out a wonderful life.

They need a scheduled environment but most importantly, a home where they are accepted for who and what they are. They may never jump up on a couch and cuddle with you, or bring you a ball to play catch. But you will see the joy that they take in living each day knowing that they will have clean bedding, fresh food and water, and unconditional love. To them, those small comforts alone are pure bliss.



Disclaimer: The preceding is the opinion of the authors (Michelle Bender and Kim Townsend) and is based on their years of experience with dogs and the knowledge they have gained. Also, please note that an adopted puppy mill rescued dog may be at different "stages" of rehab so they have tried to start this from the beginning stand point.