You never discipline a dog for eating poop (coprophagia) as it causes fear and confusion, worsening the behavior; instead, immediately remove the feces, use positive reinforcement like high-value treats and "leave it" training to redirect them, and manage access by supervising walks and cleaning up quickly to prevent the opportunity. Focus on teaching your dog what to do (like sitting for a reward) when they finish their business, not punishing them for eating it.
Tip: Speak with your vet to ensure there's no underlying illness causing your dog's hunger, then discuss options for switching dog foods that provide highly concentrated nutrition in a form that's easy for your dog to digest or adding a digestive supplement with enzymes to their diet.
Eating poop can be tied to behavioral and medical issues, so while it's not a fun topic to discuss, it's important for owners to understand why dogs do this and how to stop it. Enzyme Deficiencies: Your dog's pancreas produces vital enzymes that help them digest nutrients in their food.
If your dog is eating their own poop because it tastes good to them and they've developed the habit, try using a coprophagic supplement dog chew. Coprophagic supplements discourage dogs from eating poop by changing the poop's taste. Probiotics can also be used to help stop your pet from eating their stool.
Wipe around their mouth with a cloth and some water. Use your dog's toothbrush if you already use one. Don't ever use human toothpaste as some of them may be toxic to dogs. Give them a dental stick to chew on.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Adding apple cider vinegar to your dog's food can also help discourage them from eating poop. The apple cider vinegar changes the pH balance in your dog's digestive system, which makes it easier for them to absorb nutrients from their food.
The best way to stop your dog eating poo is to distract them, take away the temptation, and give them something better to do. Don't punish your dog or shout at them - this will be unsuccessful and confusing.
Vitamin or Nutrient Dietary Deficiencies
Some dogs may eat poop as a means of trying to get nutrients that are lacking in their regular diet. Some studies suggest that a vitamin B deficiency might lead some dogs to eat poop. So this could be a dog's way of getting the enzymes and nutrients they're missing.
There were also some breed dispositions: 38% of border collies had a history of eating poop and 40% of shelties did, too. Now that's something that probably will never show up in a breed description.
Dietary deficiency: One long-standing theory is that dogs eat feces because they're missing something in their diets. Vitamin B deficiency, in particular, has been suspected since scientists found bacteria in the intestines make thiamin, a B vitamin.
It's not dangerous for a puppy to eat their own poop, but consuming poop from other animals may cause health problems for a puppy if the animal's stool is contaminated with parasites, viruses, or toxins. In most cases, this behavior will fade before the puppy is about nine months old.
Behavioral factors also play a significant role in why dogs engage in coprophagia. For some dogs, eating poop can be a response to stress, boredom, or anxiety. Puppies, in particular, may exhibit this behavior as part of their exploratory learning.
Puppies watch their mother groom her litter and clean up the den to protect against predators. This usually involves eating any feces excreted by nursing pups. Typically, a young dog will outgrow this behavior after being weaned, potty trained, and becoming more reliant on a household structure.
Add 2-3 chunks of pineapple to your dog's food once a day, and the enzymes will make your dog's poop smell bad and undesirable. When you take your dog out, keep them away from any areas with dog poop and monitor what your dog gets into.
While most cases of coprophagia appear to be purely behavioral, there are indeed numerous medical problems that can cause or contribute to coprophagia. These problems must first be ruled out before a purely behavioral diagnosis can be made.
Dogs react to this fearful situation in various ways, and one way is to eat the feces so it will not be there to make the human angry. This is one of many reasons not to use punishment when housetraining a dog.
Keep your yard clean, supervise your dog during bathroom breaks, and dispose of waste as soon as possible. Use Deterrents: Some pet-safe products can be added to your dog's food to make their waste less appealing. These deterrents are designed to create an unpleasant taste, discouraging your dog from eating their poop.
By addressing potential health issues, modifying the environment, and reinforcing positive behaviors, you can help your dog break this habit. Regular veterinary check-ups, a healthy diet, and proper training are key to ensuring your dog stays healthy and happy.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
Coprophagia is most common in puppies up to a year old, but can occur at any age. Fortunately, there are many techniques and training methods you can use to correct this habit.
What to Do Immediately If Your Dog Eats Poop and Vomits
How to prevent your dog from eating stool
Puppies are more adaptable, making it easier to incorporate brushing into their routine. But even if you've got an older dog, it's never too late to start. The key is patience, consistency, and using the right tools, like a dog-friendly toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste.