By TB Thompson DVM

Ashley usually enjoyed being awakened by her puppy Charlie’s morning kisses. It was so nice to be loved and appreciated. Then one day, she noticed a bad smell when Charlie licked her face. She realized he had been eating poop! After she stopped scrubbing her face and screaming, she made an appointment to see Charlie’s vet and asked, “Why does my dog eat poop?”  

For dogs, coprophagia (eating poop) is actually a normal behavior. It’s something mother dogs do for their puppies to keep the den clean. Young puppies may eat stool in order to populate their GI tracts with healthy microorganisms. When the behavior persists past early puppyhood, there could be a problem. For sure, it’s an unwanted behavior for the people who live with these dogs. 

The loud noises and surprising booms that come through the house can create stress and anxiety for a dog. To best prepare for the upcoming New Year festivities today we'd like to share tips and tricks for helping your dog cope on New Year's Eve.