Pooping multiple times on walk

by Elsa
(Rochester Hills, MI, USA)

Our miniature schnauzer, Dez, was a rescue but has been with us over a year now. He loves to sniff on walks and I'm learning that is typical for this breed. What drives us crazy is that he poops 3 or more times on the walk. It's almost like he is trying to mark with his poop in addition to his pee which I guess could be true. The concern, besides the irritating clean up, is that he strains to poop even when there is no poop left. It gets mushy the second and third time and after that it is basically watery. I want to let him sniff, but I don't know how to do that without the pooping and I don't know if that could be harmful.

Thoughts?

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Apr 05, 2021
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Multiple Poops on Walk
by: Elaine

My mini schnauzer poops multiple times on walks. Trying to train her not to but she keeps asking for okay. She is not a rescue. My prior schnauzer only did this when we went to Petsmart. Has to be an excitement issue.

Oct 02, 2018
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very interesting comments
by: Linda

There are some very interesting comments to this thread, I have learned something new! It seems that this excitement on walks and excessive pooping is not uncommon, particularly with rescue dogs. It makes sense, Mini Schnauzers are sensitive little critters. I understand he only does it on walks, but still think a raw diet may be worth considering to reduce the pooing.
Anyway, good to know you are not alone!

Oct 01, 2018
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Pooping multiple times on walk
by: Mily

We have a mini schnauzer that is 7. He was 2 yrs old when we rescued him.

He is the same way when we walk him; poops 3-4 times. Strains & the stool is minimal/soft by the 3rd or 4th time.

Re-assuring to know we are not alone.

Sep 20, 2018
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Change of food?
by: Helen

We used to have this problem with our miniature schnauzers but since we've fed them a raw food diet they no longer do this. Agree with the previous post, the breed can have a very delicate digestive system. If a change of food,done gradually, doesnt improve his condition I would check with your vet.

Sep 19, 2018
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Adrenelin Rush?
by: David A

Could be an "excitement poo"; releasing in anticipation of "fight or flight" - I'm not suggesting timidity or anxiety. Certainly my eldest acted in this way before I moved her on to raw. My youngest, who is generally more excitable, will show signs of similar behaviour at times.

I'm not suggesting raw is the answer but rather seeking a balance between what you choose to feed and the frequency and nature of exercise.

Sep 19, 2018
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Pooping
by: Anonymous

Our Charlie is exactly the same. We rehomed him (a rescue really) when he was 4, now nearly 9. He always does 2 poops in the morning, it's the afternoon which is worse, a small one, an even smaller one and then one or two others when nothing or almost nothing comes out.

Sep 19, 2018
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Only on walks
by: Elsa

Thanks Linda, but he doesn't do this when we are at home. He only tries to poop a lot when we are out on walks. We stopped walking him for awhile because of it and had no problem until we took him on a walk again.
NOTE: Interesting that some other owners of Rescue Schnauzers have had the same issue. Sounds like it could be a nervous/excitement issue, like another reader suggested?

Sep 19, 2018
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intolerance
by: Linda

Hi Elsa,
it sounds like he has an intolerance (rather than an allergy) to something, probably his food.
Over the course of a week, change his food to another high quality brand - you can't do it in a day, he will be pooping even more.

If he still poops a lot, and if you can afford it look at freeze dried or raw food. Something is not agreeing with him.
If it persists, get him checked out by a vet for a gastro problem.
Good luck!

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