I have a confession to make. It is a rather dirty, little secret.  I have been keeping something from many people for the past six years. My dogs EAT poop! They eat their own poop and each other’s poop. The first time I observed this most disgusting indecency was shortly after bringing the Miniature Pinscher pups home. Horrified, I could not believe my eyes when I saw Aspen walk over to a piddle pad and eat a fresh stool as if it were a delicious delicacy.  It was the grossest thing I have ever seen in my entire life!  To say that I never again saw such behavior from Aspen or her littermates would be a lie. Before long, Bob and I were witnessing all three girls participate in poop eating parties on a regular basis.

I know now that this heinous habit is not as rare as I first believed.  Many dogs eat poop, perhaps even your own dog! This poop eating picnic even has a name: coprophagia. If you research the topic of canine fecal ingestion, you will learn various reasons as to why dogs participate in this “activity.” For my girls, it has become a game to see which one of them can get to the poop before the humans.  Appearing to truly enjoy snacking on morsels of the turd variety, the girls will grab a tidbit, run with glee around the backyard, and celebrate their victory.  The Min Pins score one for the team, again! Hanging our heads in disgust, we resolve to beat them next time.  We can always dream, can’t we?

Many products can be found in pet stores and online that claim to put an end to poop eating. We tried one and it seemed to work, but it upset our Min Pins’ stomachs. The irony of that still astounds me! Therefore, for us, the only solution that is 100% effective is to remove the poop before any of the dogs can get to it. In our backyard, Bob and I have learned to be lightning quick and scoop the poop before it becomes a tasty snack. If two dogs are going at the same time and I am flying solo, a split decision must be made as to which direction I should head.  A word to the wise, always go towards Malibu first!

Over the years, there has been a significant decline in poop eating. Mostly, because we have learned to watch the girls like hawks. One eye taken off of them for an instant is all it takes. We have been taught that lesson on more than one occasion.   Teaching basic commands, such as “drop it” and “leave it” have helped too. Although I must admit, sometimes the girls pretend that those phrases have never been taught. Quest is the most obedient when it comes to obeying those commands.  Once, I believed that she had a rock in her mouth and asked her to drop it into my hand.  Well, she did what I asked, but the object did not turn out to be what I thought it was!  Quest was praised for obeying and I went into the house to vigorously scrub my hands.

So, I have just shared my deepest, darkest secret with you. Can we keep it between us?