This, and eating deer, cat or bunny poop, is definitely one of the grosser things our dogs will do. However, it is actually a really common thing AND quite normal. 

Our dogs learn this behavior from their mother's during puppyhood. It's mom's job to keep their puppies safe from danger in the wild so they instinctively clean up their puppies messes.

By clean up I mean, eat their poop. Yes. Eat their poop.  Puppies can't pee or poop on their own when they are first born. So good ol'Mom must stimulate the puppies bodies so that they can pee and poop. Once the puppies can pee and poop on their own their mother will still eat their poop to keep predators from finding the den. 

So as gross as this is it's pretty natural. Most puppies grow out of it and fairly quickly. There are the few exceptions though and I think it's safe for me to assume that if you are reading this you are probably living with one of them. 

I am sorry.  Even though it's normal it is still really gross.  So for the reason you are reading this.

​How can we get our dog to stop doing this disgusting, though normal behavior?  Here are a few ideas. 

1. Supervise your pup when they are outside going potty and clean up their poop right away. This can help to break the habit. 
2. Try mixing pineapple in their food (or feed it to them as a treat). Pineapple tastes good going in but not so good going out. 
3. Try mixing meat tenderizer in their food too. 
   
4. Last you can go to your vet to get something or you can try some over the counter products. Here are a few suggestions: FurroLandia No Poo Treats, Solid Gold Stop Eating Poop, Forbid, Healthy Solutions Deterrent for Poop Eating

These ideas will help you to break your pup's gross habit but you also need to make sure that you are no longer giving your pup opportunities to continue the habit.  If one thing doesn't work try something else. Every dog is different.  Hope this helps! 

Does your dog jump and go crazy when the leash comes out? Do you find yourself annoyed and hate getting ready for walks?

I can help you change that and it's easier then you think.

​What we want to do is teach our dog that four paws on the ground gets them outside for a walk. Right now they think that you actually WANT them to act crazy when the leash comes out.

I know you don't think that's the case BUT it's true! Just look at how your dog is acting. I know this isn't how you want your dog to behave so let's change that right now!

Always remember that your goal is to have your dog act calmly when it comes time to go out. We want to reward behavior that encourages calmness and not behavior that rewards jumping, whining or whatever it is your dog does.

Before beginning you want to:

• Make sure your dog has gone to the bathroom and your not doing this at a potty break. It's not fair to your pup and that's just asking for accidents.
• Make sure you have ample time to do this. A weekend or evening when you have an hour or more is best (it shouldn't take that long, but just in case). If you stay calm and don't get frustrated this will work better for you.

This is really so simple your gonna wonder why you didn't think of it yourself.

Follow these steps in order and repeat until you get a calm dog waiting for the leash to be put on.
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1. Get the leash.
2. If your dog does anything other then stand quietly,  put the leash back without saying a word.
3. Repeat Steps 1  &  2 until your dog is standing quietly.

When your dog is standing and waiting quietly it's time to move on to the next steps.

4. Try to hook the leash to your dogs collar.
5. Repeat Step 2.
6. Repeat Step 3.

That's it! Simple right?!

​It might take a little bit for your pup to get it, depending on how long they've been doing this. Remember the jumping is FUN for them. Have patience and keep going until you the behavior you are looking for. You can do this!

Watch the attached video to see what the end result looks like as Mattie (off Screen), Ryder and I get ready for a walk. Leashes are just no longer exciting in my house.
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