My Pet World: Curbing your dog's attraction to cat poop may take some creativity
There are all sorts of ways to curb this habit. Sometimes, it's merely a matter of litter box positioning, angling the box such that cats can hop right in, but dogs can't stick their noses in. But most dogs aren't so easily deterred.
There are baby gates on the market with a door big enough for a cat to enter but too small for a mid-sized or larger dog. Or you could buy a standard baby gate and cut a hole through it. Be aware, though, that persistent dogs will knock over gates.
As an alternative, install a doggy door which electronically opens when a cat approaches wearing a "magic collar." Check out www.cathole.com or www.petdoors.com.
You could also control how far the doors open to the room with the litter box by using a Peek-a-Boo latch: http://www.woofwoofcastle.com/.
If you're a softie and think your pup misses eating those cat turds, check out dog treats shaped like cat poop at www.catlogsfordogs.com.
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Q: Why does my dog roll around in cat feces when she finds it in our backyard? -- C.R., via cyberspace
A: For the same reason we dab perfume or cologne on ourselves. Many dogs find this as repugnant as we find their habit of rolling in cat or deer droppings, dead fish, or the carcasses of dead critters in the woods. I suppose you can chalk this up to a cultural difference.
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Q: Why does my dog snatch dog treats out of my hand and run off with them? It's like he'd rather eat them in private. -- C.C., Cyberspace
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