Feed dog pineapple, monitor potty breaks to curb gross dining habits

Warning: What you’re about to read is icky, at least for humans.

Does your dog eat feces — and would you like him to stop?

Try this tip from pet trainer Jan Fennell, author of “The Seven Ages of Man’s Best Friend.” She says to feed the animal pineapple or zucchini, which evidently makes poop unpalatable.

But why do dogs dine on doo-doo, anyway? No one seems to know, but theories abound. Some experts say dogs eat it because they are bored. Others say they need more protein in their diets, or they’re mimicking their mothers’ work of keeping the nest clean, or they’ve got pancreatic problems.

In her book, Fennell also notes that it’s common puppy behavior. So here’s what you do: Put him outside right after feeding him, let him do his business, then take him inside and clean up. (Some experts suggest using a catch word such as “potty” when you put him outside.)

If your dog continues to gross you out with his dubious diet, your best bet is to check with your vet to rule out medical causes, according to an article in AKC Family Dog magazine.

‘TALES’ FROM A VET

Denver-area veterinarian Jeff Wells has a new book, “All My Patients Have Tales.” In the vein of James Herriot, his book relays both the amusing and sobering tales of a vet traveling rural back roads.

From the amusing files comes this story about treating a puppy: “As I stood holding the container of soapy water with plastic tubing that was inserted in Sam’s you-know-where, I felt so proud thinking of how I spent eight years in college to become Dr. enema.” (In case you’re wondering — the blockage ended up being lots and lots of grasshoppers.)

And from the sadder side: “Euthanasia is the hardest aspect of veterinary practice, yet one of the most important. . . . It was hard to see Thomas leave the clinic in tears and alone. He placed the empty cat carrier into the back seat of his Honda and pulled away.” A couple of days later, Wells, with an ulterior motive, persuaded Thomas to baby-sit two abandoned kittens for a night. The next day Thomas called to say that one of the kittens had not eaten very much and he was going to work with it one more day. Three days later, he told Wells, “I’m afraid these kittens don’t want to leave.”

The book, which won a Colorado Independent Publishers EVVY award this year, is available in most bookstores, or at allmypatients havetales.com for $14.95.