Stop Dogs Eating Dog Poop - Dog Coprophagia

Dog Coprophagia is one dog problem that us dog owners hate. To us it's a filthy habit that just doesn't make any sense. I mean why would our much loved pets eat dog or cat poop when weare feeding them perfectly good meals?

Dog Coprophagia is most common in puppies up to a year old, but can occur at any stage in a dogs life. For such a wide spread problem there hasn't been much research conducted into how to stop dogs eating dog poop.

The good news though for us dog lovers is that there are many proven techniques or training methods we can call on to correct this habit.

There are lots of theories as to why our dogs eat their poop - they can be broken down into two groups:

1. Canine Behavioral Problem

2. Underlying Medical Problem

An important thing to remember for all dog owners who's dogs eat poop, is to keep their vaccinations up to date, and they must be regularly wormed. The reason for this is that various diseases and internal parasites can be passed from dog to dog through Coprophagia.

• It simply tastes good to your dog (disgusting I know!).

• Could be a symptom of anxiety or boredom.

• Puppies may have a vitamin or mineral deficiency.

• If a puppy is punished for eliminating (pooping) inside your house he may on future occasions eat his poop to "hide the evidence". This could happen because your puppy is confused, he thinks that he was punished for pooping, rather than for pooping inside.

• Could be that your dog is cleaning up his living area. This of course should be the owners job.

• Sometimes dogs develop this habit because they are copying other dogs behavior. There is also a theory that some dogs eat their poop because they see their owners cleaning it up, and they just decide to do it for themselves (not sure about this one).

• Bitches with a young litter of pups will often eat the puppies droppings. This is to keep the area clean and also to help conceal the litter from any predators.

• Could be the result of over feeding. If a dog is over fed he doesn't properly digest his food, therefore his feces still smell and taste like his dinner!

• If you only feed once a day, some dogs can become very hungry and scavenge around for any food (including poop).

• Some dogs have been known to develop Coprophagia when on antibiotics.

• A dog may eat the poop of a sick dog. This behavior is an attempt to conceal or protect the sick dog from predators.

The techniques below have proven to be an effective way to stop dogs eating dog poop. You should try one method or combine a few until you break your dogs habit. Remember that punishing or getting angry with your dog does not work - for this or any other behavioral problem.

• Feed well balanced and nutritious meals.

• Try feeding twice a day instead of once.

• Always keep your dogs living area clean of feces.

• Be sure to adequately exercise and stimulate your dog.

• Teach your dog the basic obedience command "Off". If you have established yourself as the alpha dog in your owner-dog relationship, this command will work immediately. To learn how to properly obedience train your dogs try SitStayFetch Coprophagia Treatment, I have had great results using these methods.

• A technique I successfully used to stop my mother's Shih Tzu from eating her poop was to put a tablespoon of pineapple in her food. Apparently pineapple tastes terrible when eaten in poop - can't say I've tried it myself! Other people have used Pumpkin, Spinach, Pickles or Garlic for the same purpose.

• As soon as you see your dog pooping provide a distraction. Maybe run off on him or call him over to you straight away, you can then praise or reward him. This may be sufficient to break the habit but you must be consistent using this method.

• If you visit your local pet store you will find various products specifically designed for this problem. Forbid and Deter are a couple of products which have proven to be effective.

• Another method (I haven't tried this one) which you could adopt is to slice your dogs poop length wise and lace it with tabasco sauce or cayenne pepper.

• Use the power of "negative association" through the use of a choke or prong collar. Fit your dog with the collar and every time he goes to eat poop give a short sharp tug on the leash.This correction will quickly teach your dog that eating poop is not a pleasant experience. This is an obedience training technique, you can learn how to properly bond and obedience train your dog with this training resource.

Whichever method you try with your dog be sure to be consistent. You must enforce it every timeto stop dogs eating dog poop. The longer you let this habit establish itself, the harder it will be to break.

One last thing - most dogs do grow out of their poop eating habit, just not fast enough for us owners!

More information on how to Stop Dogs Eating Dog Poop.