We've been noticing in the last few weeks that Layla has been having diarrhea whenever we go on a walk. It's usually a lot softer than normal, not watery, and lighter in color (a dark khaki). This is the only time she gets soft stools like this. Otherwise her poops are dark and firm.

I have no explanation for why this happens. My only theory is that she stresses herself out from excitement in the time when we're getting ready to go on a walk and it gives her diarrhea. It doesn't matter if we drive somewhere or go out the door and down the street; if she goes poop on a walk, it's always diarrhea but otherwise everything else is normal. Any other thoughts/theories? Any suggestions as to how to remedy this? We try not to hype her up too much before walks and calmly get ready, get her harness and leash on, etc. We say, "Wanna go for a walk?" in a somewhat excited voice but that's about it.

When you say walk, do you mean just a walking pace? Or is there running and playing involved?

Our Gus gets the runs after his hikes with his dogwalker... every time. By the evening and next morning, it's back to normal though. This recently started happening with us too. For 3 weeks, he didn't go out with his dogwalker (waiting for giardia to go away), and his bowel movements were great. Then when he started going out again, we got soft stools in the afternoon. It could be just out of excitement.

By walk I mean mostly walk, sometimes a little jogging for a little while but not too long because she's still too young to run at a sustained, structured pace. We usually drive to trails in the woods but lately because she just got spayed a week and a half ago we've been taking it easy and just going down the road and back for 15 minutes a few times a day. It doesn't seem to matter where we go or when; any time we take her somewhere for a walk, if she goes poop on the walk, it's diarrhea or at the least a soft stool.

If we go to the dog park or go on a hike, Gus is guaranteed to have a soft bowel movement at the end, or near the end of it. If it just a potty break, then it's usually ok.

Is this something new that just started? Or has it been going on for awhile? Maybe you could do a stool test?

We've noticed it for the past few weeks to a month. The more I think about it the more it has to be that she gets excited. She will sometimes have soft stool at the dog park, too, but not all the time. She does really love her walks and loves hiking. She goes to the vet tomorrow to get her stitches out from her spay, so I can ask them then.

Definitely follow up with your vet. I'm curious are car rides involved with these excursions? It could be excitement/stress for sure-

Sometimes car rides are involved, sometimes we just walk out the door and go down the road. She's always been very good in the car, no issues, no stress at all from what I can tell from her body language. I talked to the vet today and they couldn't offer any explanation other than to say to keep an eye on it and if it becomes liquidy and not just really soft like it is now to give them a call.

And, like I said, this only happens on walks. Otherwise her poops are fine, firm and dark like they should be. We haven't changed anything in her diet at all.