From PoopEaters Anonymous. Hahaha
What about cat poop?? My dog cruises the cat box and eats what is in there!
Most dogs find cat "cookies" irresistible. It is very hard to deter a dog from eating cat poop, because, like eating any poop, it is self-rewarding behavior (the behavior itself is its reward). Cat litter boxes cannot be sprayed with bitter orange or anything like that, or the CAT will be discouraged from using it! In my household, I just position the cat boxes in places the dogs cannot reach. I use a covered litter pan in one area, which is a great deterrent for bigger dogs. In another area, I have the litter box blocked by a baby gate leaning against the doorway so only the cats can fit through (I have taught my dogs to respect the baby gates). A cat door to the basement can be used. Or a door can be kept open only a little, using some means to both keep it open and keep it closed enough so the dog can't get through.
One word of caution about dogs and cat stool. The new clumping litter can pose a health threat to dogs if they eat it. Think of what the litter does when urine is deposited in it. Similar things can happen in a dog's stomach if he eats enough of it.
With enough diligence, stool eating can often be eliminated. Unfortunately, many people would rather not spend the time that is needed.
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Poop%20Eaters%20Anonymous.htm
Since WHEN is eating poop a "self rewarding behaviour"?
Sometimes I will clasp Cody's head between my hands and look at him in his eyes and TRY to figure out what is going on in that little doggy mind of his. What is he thinking when he does it? It can't possibly taste good, and if he was just a LITTLE bit smarter he would realize the error of his ways and not do it anymore.
From PoopEaters Anonymous. Hahaha
What about cat poop?? My dog cruises the cat box and eats what is in there!
Most dogs find cat "cookies" irresistible. It is very hard to deter a dog from eating cat poop, because, like eating any poop, it is self-rewarding behavior (the behavior itself is its reward). Cat litter boxes cannot be sprayed with bitter orange or anything like that, or the CAT will be discouraged from using it! In my household, I just position the cat boxes in places the dogs cannot reach. I use a covered litter pan in one area, which is a great deterrent for bigger dogs. In another area, I have the litter box blocked by a baby gate leaning against the doorway so only the cats can fit through (I have taught my dogs to respect the baby gates). A cat door to the basement can be used. Or a door can be kept open only a little, using some means to both keep it open and keep it closed enough so the dog can't get through.
One word of caution about dogs and cat stool. The new clumping litter can pose a health threat to dogs if they eat it. Think of what the litter does when urine is deposited in it. Similar things can happen in a dog's stomach if he eats enough of it.
With enough diligence, stool eating can often be eliminated. Unfortunately, many people would rather not spend the time that is needed.
http://www.dogtrainingbasics.com/Poop%20Eaters%20Anonymous.htm
Yes. This is why I stopped using the automatic cat tray ("Litter Maid"). You must use the clumping litter or else the machine cannot sweep it up properly. Cody would sit there and wait it out until the cat was finished, so the litter maid wasn't really helping at all. Cody still got to the cat feces in plenty of time to eat it. And I didn't want him injesting the clumping cat litter so we are basically back to step one once again. I am using the cat tray with the hood, even though Cody knows how to pry it off. It was quite a feat getting Oreo to use it in the first place. He didn't like entering and exiting the tray through the hood for the first few days.
The idea of a baby gate in front of the door is a good idea. I may try it. Failing that, I will install the cat door and cut off the flap. The only thing that scares me about it though, is Cody may try to stick his head through it and then get stuck.
Damn animals!!