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Dog Training/Frequent Bowel Movements in Puppy

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Expert: Erica Slomka - 1/3/2008


Question
Hello, I have a female American Bulldog puppy that is almost 4 months old. When we picked her up from the breeder at 8 weeks old, she had an urinary tract infection. We have been using the crate training method since day one and always put her outside to go in the same spot and give her plenty of praise and a treat when she does go outside. Our only problem with her is that she has bowel movements at least 5 or 6 times a day,sometimes more and poops in her crate several times a week and eats the poop too. Her bowels movements are normal and solid, sometimes jsut a little loose. We are feeding her Nutra brand large breed puppy food and we were feeding her 1 and 1/2 cups twice a day but the vet recently told us to increase the food a little more. It is getting to be out of hand, we are trying our best to listen to her cues, and take her out every hour but she is continuing to poop in her crate. Any advice that will work is greatly appreciated, as we really love our puppy, but are close to our wits end with two small children as well.

Answer
I found the Nutro to be too rich for a couple of my dogs.  This caused loose stools and can stimulate the poop-eating (coprophagia), and I found switching foods helped tremendously.  I would discuss with your vet, as well as do some research on different premium or super-premium foods to make your decision.  I am not a vet, so choose not to give nutritional advice by brand or specific foods.  I will tell you that I have tried many different foods, and my dogs have all done very well on Pro-Plan.

The potty in the crate could be due to loose stools, or upset stomach.  Even switching to a formula for sensitive stomachs may help.  Keep the crate very clean, and she should grow out of this awful habit-and I do feel for you, as even I have had issues with dogs messing their crates as pups.

Best of luck,
Erica Slomka
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Erica Slomka

Expertise

I am experienced in behavior modification and various curricula of training. I can answer questions regarding specific issues in the home, in public and when relating to humans, dogs or other animals. Ask questions about beginning, intermediate and advanced obedience as well as competitive obedience events. I also am versed in agility instruction, hunt training for tree and other game animals, upland bird and waterfowl retrieval. I teach Therapy Dog Preparation and am an evaluator for the AKC Canine Good Citizen program. Ask about scent tracking and preparing for Search and Rescue work. My methods are mainly positive, however I do feel life has consequences and sometimes your dog needs to know when a behavior is inappropriate. I can give you positive motivation skills to ensure your dog will work for you and with you eagerly as well as helping you develop correction techniques that are fair, humane and will truly guide your dog to understand what you are asking of them.

Experience

I have been teaching professionally for 13 years, 5 of them in classroom settings. Prior to that my work was one-on-one with obedience techniques and behavior modification for specific issues. I am not only an "obedience" instructor, but also a behaviorist. I have spent 30 years studying dogs and how they interact with humans and each other, and developing techniques to effectively teach them how to live in society when their instincts tell them only how to coexist with other dogs. I have competitive obedience, agility and hunt dogs and working therapy dogs. I have instructed trainer certification programs for Petco Pet Supplies and have developed a program to teach children how to interact more safely with dogs and when not to interact at all, which is taken to schools, community centers, boys & girls clubs, 4-H and other community events.

Organizations
United Kennel Club American Kennel Club Professional Kennel Club Bluetick Breeders of America National Rat Terrier Association Midwest Terrier Racing Club Imlay City Coonhunters

Education/Credentials
Most of my education is through experience. I read extensively and research throughout other trainer's information to continually increase my knowledge base and am currently apprenticing under a specialist in K-9 Protection. I have learned through teaching others as well as training many breeds/temperaments. I believe the best education in this arena is hands-on, and when developing techniques to have a working instinct to understand what is effective and the common sense to know what isn't.

Awards and Honors
Michigan Tails Reader's Choice Award for Best Agility Instruction and Best Trainer. Vice-President of the Midwest Terrier Racing Club

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