No bones about it, can you tell me about doggie poo?

Question

I'm trying to housebreak him. He's got #1 down pretty well, but he doesn't seem to understand #2 yet. Is there anything I can feed him to firm up his stool so that when he makes a mistake, it's easier to clean? Right now it's usually very delicate and, well lets be honest here, I can't clean it without smears on the carpet and I'm running out of stain spray. I've generally been feeding him dry Pedigree for small breeds, and just now discovered the mistake of giving canned food (one word: pudding. . . YUCK!). He is a 2 year old scottish terrier. Thank you

Answer 1

The really good quality foods produce a smaller, firmer less stinky stool. (That's because of not using fillers) Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. "Vet approved" means they have a vet on staff to approve their product. In other words, someone paid to approve it. Same with foods most vets recommend. Salesmen "gift" vets then the vet recommends the food. Most vets are not nutritionists! Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359& more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm

Answer 2

Watch him for sniffing! Take him outside promptly, about twenty minutes after eating, and wait for him to do some business. Praise him like crazy if he goes! Do it again in an hour. If he hasn't gone yet, do it again until he does.

Never praise him for going indoors (like you would...), he'll want the praise he gets for doing it right, and start to hold it until you take him outside. Praise should include treats, cuddles, and maybe a brief tussle with a favored toy.

You can create a "trigger" phrase. When you see him hunch and start to do a bowel movement, say the phrase ("time to poop", or what I use "Drop Turd, Rascal) clearly a couple of times. Repeat this for the next few times. Whenever I take Rascal outside, all I have to do is say "Drop Turd, Rascal", and he tries to go right there.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Feed him what he'll eat in 15 minutes - and do this at scheduled times - that is, at 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. etc. Do not feed him free choice.

after he's eaten, wait 15 - 20 minutes to get his digestive tract started.

Then take him for walkies. when he poos outside - tell him he's a good boy and pet him a lot - praise, praise.

So it's Feed, wait, walkies.

That's setting him up for success.

If you let him eat when he chooses, he'll "go" when he chooses.

In between times, be sure to watch him - he'll start to "hunt" for a spot to poo - just like he hunts for a spot to peepee. Again, take him out for walkies and tell him he's a good boy when he is "a good boy."

If he accidents in the house - especially if you catch him in the act (not easy to do) make a huge clattering noise - bang on things and holler - make it not a pleasant thing to do. Then take him outside calmly - when he finishes his business, tell him he's a good dog.

Eventually he'll get it. It will take time - but he'll get it.

Answer 4

I am not real sure on this, but I had a man reccomend "science diet" brand for that.