"What Can I Do When the Dog Eats Poop?"

Humans are strange creatures but dogs can be really strange. Just when you think you understand your favorite animal, he goes off and starts eating smelly poop. It's so frustrating, for sure.

Many dogs learn to eat their own stools or the poop of other animals when they are very young. Dogs are pack animals and quite simply, they sometimes just learn to eat poop. To them, it seems normal. Of course catching this and correcting this coprophagia (poop eating) early is exactly what you want to do. This assumes that you know how to correct the behavior, which I'll discuss below.

Potty training for children is quite a challenge. This is the same for dogs. It's serious business and you have to treat it that way.

Commanding your dog to poop in the right place at the right time is very stressful, just like it is for children. You need to have compassion and understanding. Be prepared to work with your dog, but do not hurt or punish your dog. You'll only make matters worse!

Dogs feel bad about not doing the right thing. If you catch them and punish them, they will often get worse. Your dog might actually start eating more poop -- their own poop, cat poop, and the poop of other dogs. Stress is a major problem so relax and help your dog relax.

Why is your dog eating poop? There are many potential reasons. For example, your dog might want or need to eat more than one time per day. If you only provide food once per day, your dog might improvise and eat poop as a substitute. Do you know the rhytmn of your dog's eating? Have you estamblished this and reinforced it?

In some other case, you dog will eat poop accidentally. Your dog is a curious creature and will attempt to eat just about anything and everything, kind of like a baby. Dogs discover the world through all senses, like humans. They will eat, smell, and watch everything. Your dog might eat poop just because he's curious!

If you are on this page, I'm going to assume that you want to stop your old pooch or puppy from eating warm turds. That's completely understandable. Look, it's pretty gross and I understand that you want to stop the behavior.

I first suggest that you consider taking your dog to a vet. There could be a medical condition at play. A physical examination might turn up the answers you seek.

I'm going to ask that you be nice to your dog. Please don't hurt him. Be understanding and kind. This is not easy for him, remember. He doesn't want to eat poop. He wants your love and attention.

If you want to prevent coprophagia in your faithful little puppy or old battle axe, consider medication (pill) or training. You can use drugs or modify the behavior. There are anti-poop eating pills for sale on this web site and there are training programs available too. Just look around this site and you'll have answers in no time.