Help Now Please

HersheyBear · 11-09-2005, 03:28 PM

Ok ... Here is the story. My dog has suddenly became atticted to kitty litter. He eats it and goes into the box and will just eat it. I know it is gross but what do I do? I dont want him to be sick or anything but he will just come into my room and eat the litter and the poop. I have now a rule that he cannot lick me anymore. but it is just gross and the litter is very expensive and I am worried about my dog .. What do I do .. Please help me ..

Bianca

mrsgrubby · 11-09-2005, 03:32 PM

Hmmmm, I guess I will suggest a few things. First, can you move the kitty litter box to a higher place, like on top of the washer and dryer, or on a shelf in the hallway, or another shelf in a closet that you can leave the door open?

Can you put up a baby gate in the doorway of one of the rooms so the dog can no longer go into the room, and then put the litter box in that room, like maybe a spare bedroom or something?

Mom2Many · 11-09-2005, 03:32 PM

Pretty much the only way to cure that kind of a problem is to move the kittylitter to a place your dog will not have access to. I hope someone else will maybe have more ideas for you!
My dogs love to eat bunny poop so we have to be sure to keep them away from that area, it's tough but worth it since eating litter can cause obstruction issues not to mention the passing of parasites, ugh.

TribalRats · 11-09-2005, 03:32 PM

I really have never had that issue before but I would suggest moving the cat litter box up somewhere that the dog can not reach.

HersheyBear · 11-09-2005, 03:40 PM

There are not many "places" for the cat litter to go. My mom moved in for fiancal reasons and we already had a cat in the house. My mom has two and that is there litter box. I tryed to have a baby gate but then the kittens couldnt quite get over it and Hershey is my dog and loves to be with me. Whenever I hear him in the night I always yell at him and spank him not hard because I am only and teen and half asleep. I shouldnt say spank because I never hit a dog hard, I will hit it enough to quite what they are doing. This is sounding like I am a dog abuser but I am not. Anyway, he know that what he is doing is bad and when he gets caught by my dad then he will put himself in 'time out' in the garauge but with me he doesnt. I guess we can put it in my moms closet but there is not a high place either. He also will eat everything. He eats loafs of bread, candy, anything that is out, and kitty food. Hope this helps alittle but please KEEP THE POSTS COMING!!!!!!!

***Cassiepeia*** · 11-09-2005, 03:50 PM

Don't EVER hit/spank/slap your dog. Not ever. I don't care if it's hard or soft, it's a big no-no.

It won't make any difference if you "punish" him for eating the cat litter, because the fact that he gets in and manages to eat what he wants to eat is reward enough for him.

I agree that the only way you can stop him really is buy removing the litter trays from places he can get to.

Perhaps you could confine him to a section of the house so that the can't get to them? Perhaps crate him when you can't watch him and when you can watch him make sure he doesn't go near the trays.

You can buy covered litter trays, maybe that would help so that the can't actually 'see' what's in the tray? It's not going to stop him from smelling it and going to investigate, though. Hmmm.....this is a tough one.

I hope someone else comes along with a more definitive answer.

Cass.

HersheyBear · 11-09-2005, 03:58 PM

It is a covered litter box. My dog is a big chocalate lab and he is stuben. I dont hit him hard. It would be a tap and that is to stop him from eating it because he will just keep eating no matter if I yell at him or not. There is not really a place where he can go because this was his house first and he is use to going everywhere

Crossfire Bulldogs · 11-09-2005, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TribalRats

I really have never had that issue before but I would suggest moving the cat litter box up somewhere that the dog can not reach.

I second that.

Mom2Many · 11-09-2005, 04:05 PM

Dogs are scavengers and opportunistic by nature and unless you teach them differently they will grab whatever opportunites present themselves. It's really not his fault, you are asking him to go against his nature. Teaching the "leave-it" command can be helpful but if you are not able to monitor him all the time it will be uneffective because he will just repeat the behavior when you are not around.
Why not try to boundry train him to not be allowed to go into a certain room where the litter box can be placed. They you can put him on a leash and stand outside the door with him, toss a treat in the room and when he goes for it give him a slight pop on the leash and say no, leave it. As soon as he looks to you reward him with a yummier treat than the one you tossed in the room. Eventually move onto having someone in the room he likes and would go to without prompting, repeat the above and do not allow him to cross the doorway.
This is the exact same way to teach the leave it command in general. Praising the dog for doing something right is a much more effective training tool than punishing the dog for doing something wrong and putting your hands on a dog as punishment is not something I would endorse, it can lead to many behavioral problems like becoming hand shy or fear bitters. It is much better to teach the dog the behavior you want, ie: Hershey must now stay out of this room, and be consistent with it. Hope that helps.

HersheyBear · 11-09-2005, 04:08 PM

I will try it.. he loves that room and that is the room where he sleeps. Since it is my room he is in it when I am in it but when I am not in it he will usally not bother it because he will be with me. He goes in the gaugage durning the day when we are at work and school and comes out when we are done. He mostly eats the litter when we are sleeping and I just hear him and tap him and yell to get away or come up on the bed and sleep.

rmci · 11-09-2005, 04:38 PM

Unfortunately, some cats do not like having their litterboxes elevated. I'd work on training him to leave it alone. Some dogs respond well to this & others don't.

***Cassiepeia*** · 11-09-2005, 06:06 PM

If he does it while you're all asleep then I suggest you crate him at night.

I also suggest moving the litter box out of your room (I hope I read that correctly, that's where I gather the litter box is).

This was not his house first...it was yours and your families. You are the boss, not him. He's going to have to get use to the fact that he's just not allowed to go where the litter tray is.

I agree with Mom2Many. Teaching him the 'leave it' command would be great. Even tapping him, is not something I'd recommend.

Cass.

Jenny · 11-09-2005, 08:33 PM

I have a covered litter box also and what works for me is just to turn the opening towards the wall with just enough room for the cat to get in.

Jenny · 11-09-2005, 08:38 PM

You could also have your parents build a wooden box with a hinged top to put the litter box in with a hole just big enough for the cats.

***Cassiepeia*** · 11-09-2005, 09:00 PM

Great ideas Jenny!

Cass.

11-09-2005, 03:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
HersheyBear HersheysOwner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Apex, North Carolina Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Help Now Please Ok ... Here is the story. My dog has suddenly became atticted to kitty litter. He eats it and goes into the box and will just eat it. I know it is gross but what do I do? I dont want him to be sick or anything but he will just come into my room and eat the litter and the poop. I have now a rule that he cannot lick me anymore. but it is just gross and the litter is very expensive and I am worried about my dog .. What do I do .. Please help me .. Bianca

11-09-2005, 03:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mom2Many Owned by 1 GSD & 1 APBT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Untangling Gunnar's Leash Posts: 873 Rep Power: 90	Pretty much the only way to cure that kind of a problem is to move the kittylitter to a place your dog will not have access to. I hope someone else will maybe have more ideas for you! My dogs love to eat bunny poop so we have to be sure to keep them away from that area, it's tough but worth it since eating litter can cause obstruction issues not to mention the passing of parasites, ugh.
	__________________ Thanks to Keyodie for the beautiful signature! SAY NO TO BSL!

11-09-2005, 03:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
TribalRats Take Responsibility Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 3,327 Rep Power: 143	I really have never had that issue before but I would suggest moving the cat litter box up somewhere that the dog can not reach.
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-09-2005, 03:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,265 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 282	Don't EVER hit/spank/slap your dog. Not ever. I don't care if it's hard or soft, it's a big no-no. It won't make any difference if you "punish" him for eating the cat litter, because the fact that he gets in and manages to eat what he wants to eat is reward enough for him. I agree that the only way you can stop him really is buy removing the litter trays from places he can get to. Perhaps you could confine him to a section of the house so that the can't get to them? Perhaps crate him when you can't watch him and when you can watch him make sure he doesn't go near the trays. You can buy covered litter trays, maybe that would help so that the can't actually 'see' what's in the tray? It's not going to stop him from smelling it and going to investigate, though. Hmmm.....this is a tough one. I hope someone else comes along with a more definitive answer. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-09-2005, 04:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mom2Many Owned by 1 GSD & 1 APBT Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Untangling Gunnar's Leash Posts: 873 Rep Power: 90	Dogs are scavengers and opportunistic by nature and unless you teach them differently they will grab whatever opportunites present themselves. It's really not his fault, you are asking him to go against his nature. Teaching the "leave-it" command can be helpful but if you are not able to monitor him all the time it will be uneffective because he will just repeat the behavior when you are not around. Why not try to boundry train him to not be allowed to go into a certain room where the litter box can be placed. They you can put him on a leash and stand outside the door with him, toss a treat in the room and when he goes for it give him a slight pop on the leash and say no, leave it. As soon as he looks to you reward him with a yummier treat than the one you tossed in the room. Eventually move onto having someone in the room he likes and would go to without prompting, repeat the above and do not allow him to cross the doorway. This is the exact same way to teach the leave it command in general. Praising the dog for doing something right is a much more effective training tool than punishing the dog for doing something wrong and putting your hands on a dog as punishment is not something I would endorse, it can lead to many behavioral problems like becoming hand shy or fear bitters. It is much better to teach the dog the behavior you want, ie: Hershey must now stay out of this room, and be consistent with it. Hope that helps.
	__________________ Thanks to Keyodie for the beautiful signature! SAY NO TO BSL!

11-09-2005, 03:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
mrsgrubby Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,476 Rep Power: 142	Hmmmm, I guess I will suggest a few things. First, can you move the kitty litter box to a higher place, like on top of the washer and dryer, or on a shelf in the hallway, or another shelf in a closet that you can leave the door open? Can you put up a baby gate in the doorway of one of the rooms so the dog can no longer go into the room, and then put the litter box in that room, like maybe a spare bedroom or something?

11-09-2005, 03:40 PM	#5 (permalink)
HersheyBear HersheysOwner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Apex, North Carolina Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	There are not many "places" for the cat litter to go. My mom moved in for fiancal reasons and we already had a cat in the house. My mom has two and that is there litter box. I tryed to have a baby gate but then the kittens couldnt quite get over it and Hershey is my dog and loves to be with me. Whenever I hear him in the night I always yell at him and spank him not hard because I am only and teen and half asleep. I shouldnt say spank because I never hit a dog hard, I will hit it enough to quite what they are doing. This is sounding like I am a dog abuser but I am not. Anyway, he know that what he is doing is bad and when he gets caught by my dad then he will put himself in 'time out' in the garauge but with me he doesnt. I guess we can put it in my moms closet but there is not a high place either. He also will eat everything. He eats loafs of bread, candy, anything that is out, and kitty food. Hope this helps alittle but please KEEP THE POSTS COMING!!!!!!!

11-09-2005, 03:58 PM	#7 (permalink)
HersheyBear HersheysOwner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Apex, North Carolina Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	It is a covered litter box. My dog is a big chocalate lab and he is stuben. I dont hit him hard. It would be a tap and that is to stop him from eating it because he will just keep eating no matter if I yell at him or not. There is not really a place where he can go because this was his house first and he is use to going everywhere

11-09-2005, 04:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
HersheyBear HersheysOwner Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Apex, North Carolina Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	I will try it.. he loves that room and that is the room where he sleeps. Since it is my room he is in it when I am in it but when I am not in it he will usally not bother it because he will be with me. He goes in the gaugage durning the day when we are at work and school and comes out when we are done. He mostly eats the litter when we are sleeping and I just hear him and tap him and yell to get away or come up on the bed and sleep.

11-09-2005, 04:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
rmci aka Red Dogs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,221 Rep Power: 86	Unfortunately, some cats do not like having their litterboxes elevated. I'd work on training him to leave it alone. Some dogs respond well to this & others don't.

11-09-2005, 06:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,265 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 282	If he does it while you're all asleep then I suggest you crate him at night. I also suggest moving the litter box out of your room (I hope I read that correctly, that's where I gather the litter box is). This was not his house first...it was yours and your families. You are the boss, not him. He's going to have to get use to the fact that he's just not allowed to go where the litter tray is. I agree with Mom2Many. Teaching him the 'leave it' command would be great. Even tapping him, is not something I'd recommend. Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

11-09-2005, 08:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jenny Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Rep Power: 69	I have a covered litter box also and what works for me is just to turn the opening towards the wall with just enough room for the cat to get in.
Jenny Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Rep Power: 69

11-09-2005, 08:38 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jenny Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Rep Power: 69	You could also have your parents build a wooden box with a hinged top to put the litter box in with a hole just big enough for the cats.
Jenny Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 183 Rep Power: 69

11-09-2005, 09:00 PM	#15 (permalink)
*Cassiepeia* Chihuahua Mum Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NSW, Australia Posts: 8,265 Blog Entries: 9 Rep Power: 282	Great ideas Jenny! Cass.
	__________________ Say NO! to animals in pet shops. Rescue a friend instead: Petfinder Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Book Club ~ Blogs ~ Art Classes ~ Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner.

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