[bixlewlyimila]

Just wondering if anybody has experienced anything like this with their dogs.

My boy Fenway was roughly 4-6 months old when I brought him home from the shelter back in December. When I got him, he was not exactly adoptable material. He was cage aggressive and would freak out when anyone tried to put him back into his kennel after cleaning. He was incredibly vocal and would scream and carry on whenever anybody walked past his kennel. He was bowl aggressive and wouldn’t let his roommate eat or drink. Got him home and found he also had a habit of eating poop - if he pooped in his crate he ate it, when I took him outside he’d graze for dog poop, and he was always snacking out of the cat litter box. Also, when I got him home he became a total lap dog. Had to sleep on top of me with his head on my shoulder the minute I sat down.

Cut to this summer - he’s been through 12 weeks of family dog training and 8 weeks of beginner’s agility. He goes into his crate willingly at least 95% of the time. He still pitches a fit in the crate but only when I’m home and he wants out (he doesn’t get out until he stops, though). He shares the water bowl with the other dogs. He sits and waits his turn while I hand feed all three of them every evening. He’s even stopped the poop eating. He also didn’t seem to feel the need to cling to me the minute I sat down.

And then, in the past two weeks he’s started the poop eating again. To the point where a couple of times he’s eating it while Avery is still pooping. He’s also gotten back in the habit of clinging to me when I sit down. In my lap, preferably on me, when I’m on the couch, and curled up next to me at bedtime.
I have no idea what has caused this backslide. There has been no changes in the routine, other than the fact that there’s no training class for August so his exercise has just been our usual walks and agility practice. Has anybody ever had their dog regress like this? If our age estimate was correct when he came to the shelter, then he just recently hit his first birthday.

I’m not too concerned about the clingy behavior, except when it’s really hot, but the poop eating is a problem and I’m just afraid if he backslides more that he’ll go back to the bowl aggression and tantrums in the crate. Any suggestions?

[DagoIgnog]

All I can say is "What has changed in your household recently? Routine? Additions or subtractions of persons or animals?"

[Jueqelyl]

^ Yep.

Perhaps it is the lack of the obedience class. Some dogs prefer to keep bust and backslide behaviorally when not worked with constantly. Are you picking classes up again in the fall?

[viagra_generic]

All I can say is "What has changed in your household recently? Routine? Additions or subtractions of persons or animals?"

^ Yep.

Perhaps it is the lack of the obedience class. Some dogs prefer to keep bust and backslide behaviorally when not worked with constantly. Are you picking classes up again in the fall?

Both of those.

Any household changes can set a dog back. When my daughter was born both my dogs regressed. But we worked with them and they adjusted pretty quick. And then when my poodle died my Terrier she um picked up some not so welcomed habits that we thought we broke years ago. Well we worked with her and she is back to her old obedient self for the most part. And some dogs just need to keep at when it comes to classes and training. I know a dog that is perfect the whole time he is in classes. But then when the 8 week course ends he goes back to his ways. And its not the owners lack of working with him. It seems to have something to do with the routine.

[ArrichMer]

If he isn't getting as much exercise, it could definitely lead to old behaviours. Also, some dogs eat poop if they are missing nutrients. I've heard that feeding pineapple makes poop undesirable, or let him out to potty by himself after you've cleaned the yard.