Common Dog Behavior Problems
Eating Feces
Jacque Lynn Schultz, C.P.D.T., Companion Animal Programs Adviser. National Outreach
As soon as Roscoe the retriever heard the sounds of the resident cat scratching in the litter box, he made a beeline for the bathroom. There was nothing he liked better than moist, warm "kitty cookies" fresh from the cat! Since his follow-up behavior often included planting a big, wet smelly kiss on his guardian's cheek, this dirty little habit had to be extinguished ASAP.
Coprophagia, the ingestion of feces by an animal, is quite common in dogs. Some eat their own stool (autocoprophagia), some eat the stool of other dogs (intraspecific coprophagia), and some, like Roscoe, eat the stool of other animals (inter-specific coprophagia). While disgusting to humans, fresh stool from healthy, domesticated animals is generally safe to eat. On the other hand, health risks are possible when dogs eat the feces of wild animals who are infested with internal parasites or of free-roaming cats who are infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Unvaccinated dogs are at particular risk for contracting parvovirus or hepatitis if they eat the stool of infected dogs. Most canine coprophagics are four to nine months of age and will outgrow the behavior. However, some dogs find the habit extremely rewarding, making it difficult to extinguish.
Oh, My! Why?
The "whys" of coprophagia are many. Historically, dogs have been
scavengers, living at the edge of civilization on the refuse and
waste of others. Biologically, the mother dog stimulates her
neonates' elimination by licking their genital regions and
consumes their waste for the first three weeks of their lives.
Normal investigative puppy behavior includes running nearly
everything in the environment through one's mouth. The pup learns
that some things taste better than others. Sometimes, that
investigative behavior draws more owner attention than usual,
resulting in a great game of chase around the house or yard. When
coupled with diarrhea or poor weight gain, coprophagia may be the
result of a medical malady such as pancreatic insufficiency,
intestinal infections, or malabsorption troubles. Luckily, the
exact reason why the dog engages in coprophagia does not need to
be determined before a course of treatment can begin.
Pick a Plan
When signs of ill health are present, a veterinary workup is
necessary. However, most coprophagics are simply healthy dogs who
need a program that combines obedience training, careful
management, environmental enrichment, and, possibly, a dietary
adjustment to achieve success. The treatment plan may vary
depending on whether the dog is consuming his own feces or the
feces of others. For the autocoprophagic, leash walks for
elimination are mandatory. You have to clean up the stool quicker
than the dog can eat it. Use of a head halter will give you
control of the dog's head. Teach the dog to hold a sit and stay a
few steps away from the pile so you can clean up. After you pick
up, reward the dog with a high-value treat before releasing him
from the stay. In cases where the dog consumes the stool while
eliminating, a muzzle will be necessary. Change the dog's diet to
one higher in fiber, and feed several small meals a day instead
of one large one.
Dogs who eat the stool of others can be exercised off-lead on their own fenced property but must be leashed and watched when off the premises. The handler must scan the ground a few feet ahead of the dog. When both the dog and the handler spot a pile of feces, utter the command "Leave it," and reward the dog when he averts his eyes from the object of desire.
Cat Cookies
Are cat feces your dog's dessert of choice? Since the dog is
rewarded every time he raids the litter box, managing the
situation—putting the box where the dog can't reach
it—will yield success. If your dog respects barriers, gate
off one room for the cat's litter pan. If your dog is large, cut
a small opening in the vanity or linen closet or inside a large
cardboard box from an appliance store, and set the box up inside.
Got a dog who's wary of the bathtub? Take advantage of that
repulsion by placing the litter box in the tub. This solution
works for households with small or short-legged dogs, too.
There may be a boredom component to this problem behavior. Try
enlivening the environment and the dog's role in it by offering
meals stuffed in food-dispensing toys hidden throughout the house
or yard. Engage the dog in active sports such as swimming,
agility, or long hikes in new territory. Time spent enriching
your dog's life is never wasted and may be the final step in
breaking this dirty little habit.
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Training: Common Dog Behavior Problems:
How to Stop Dog Jumping
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