cat poop problems

storyist said:

I don't think eating cat poop has anything to do with what you're feeding your cat. Some dogs just are poop eaters, and the only way to stop it is to make it inaccessible. That means putting the cat box somewhere the cat can get to it and the dog can't - covered cat box (if the cat will use it), box high where cat can jump up to it and dog can't reach it, box in room with door opening fixed so narrow cat can slip through but dog can't (works if dog is considerably larger than the cat), box in room with barrier across it the door (needless to say a sturdy barrier the dog can't knock down) so the cat can slip under but dog can't (ditto, dog size), etc. If it's only happening at night when you're asleep, you can crate train the dog and confine her at night.

If the cat is healthy, it's probably not going to make the dog sick. You're the one getting sick since it's disgusting and it is potentially exposing you to it. I bet you can think of a way to make the cat box impossible for the dog to get to and still available to the cat. Good luck.

Click to expand...

Knute said:

To help battle the "breath" issue. Try brushing the dogs teeth every day or every other day. Use a toothpaste formulated for pets.

Place the litter box out of dog access and start training to ignore the litter box.

Click to expand...

Knute said:

There are multiple ways to teach the ignore behavior.

Just like training the dog to Pass an object. Research different methods.

I have been successful training the command "Pass" during our walks. My dog would desire to stop and sniff and dribble on every tree during our walk. This became troublesome. After I knew he had emptied his bladder and was shooting dust. I began saying the word "Pass" and at the same time I would shorten my leash grip and just keep walking. After a few days, my dog understood the "Pass" command. I no longer needed to shorten the leash and could just keep walking. The "Pass" command has since expanded to include any item, animal, people, car, tree, bush........ Many times, my dog doesn't pay any attention to other animals, he just ignores them and we keep walking. He may look, but that is the extent of his attention to "Pass" items.

Be aware, I never dragged my dog, just a firm steady pull on the leash to keep moving forward. I only gave verbal praise. I was also training the command "WC" for potty time during the first part of our walks. "WC" became meaningless when he was empty, then I would shift to the "Pass" command

I guess the key is to make the "Ignore" item not interesting by offering a more interesting item. In my case, the continued walk was the reward along with verbal praise. You could try a similar technique with the litter box.

Save a bit of the used litter minus any special buried treats. Remember, dogs key on smell. Place the litter into a box, leash the dog, walk past the box, say command and shorten leash, keep walking. When the dog shows any reduced interest, give a reward. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat, until the dog is showing no interest. Now, you continue, but quite saying the command, dog still on leash. Soon, you will be able to walk past on a slack leash. Then work to a no leash situation. Then try with the box located where you can observe it, let the dog roam and do his normal thing. If the dog shows interest, say the command, don't forget the reward when he respond.

In the mean time, take steps to place the litter box out of the dog's access.

Sorry, almost forgot. The command word you use to ignore can be anything you want. Just stay consistent.

Click to expand...