Tips to Prevent Your Dog from Eating Poop

Do you find your dog engaging in the less-than-pleasant habit of eating poop? Coprophagia, as it's technically known, can be both frustrating and concerning for pet owners. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to discourage this behavior and keep your canine companion healthy and happy. Here are some effective strategies to get your dog to stop eating poop:

1. Keep the Environment Clean: One of the simplest ways to prevent coprophagia is to promptly clean up after your dog. Remove feces from your yard or litter box as soon as possible to eliminate the temptation for your dog to indulge in this behavior. Need a quick and easy tool to clean up the poop in the backyard? The Ultimate Grass Poop Scooper is easy to use poop scooper that allows you to clean up without having to bend down.

2. Supervise and Redirect: Whenever possible, supervise your dog when they are outdoors or in areas where feces may be present. If you catch your dog attempting to eat poop, calmly interrupt the behavior and redirect their attention to a more appropriate activity, such as playing with a toy or engaging in training exercises. This step is especially important when the snow melts in Canada and they discover more feces before clean up.
   

3. Training and Positive Reinforcement: Utilize positive reinforcement techniques to train your dog to avoid eating poop. When your dog ignores feces or shows disinterest, praise and reward them with treats or verbal praise. For reward treats we recommend the Aura Soft Bites they are a low calorie taste treat! Consistency and patience are key to reinforcing desired behaviors.

4. Distaste Aversion: Some products are available that can be added to your dog's food to make their feces less palatable. These products contain natural ingredients that create an unpleasant taste or odor when consumed, deterring your dog from eating their own waste. 

5. Medical Evaluation: In some cases - although unlikely, coprophagia may be a sign of an underlying medical issue such as digestive problems, parasites, or malabsorption disorders. If your dog continues to exhibit this behavior despite your efforts, consult with your veterinarian to rule out any potential health concerns. The NaturVet Coprophagia Deterrent helps deter dogs from consuming their own stool or other dogs’ stool if they are also given NaturVet Coprophagia Stool Eating Deterrent Soft Chews. Another product you could try is the Bitter Apple Chew Deterrent, simply spray it on the poop to try to deter your dog from eating it.

6. Environmental Enrichment: Ensure your dog receives plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom and reduce the likelihood of engaging in undesirable behaviors like coprophagia. Provide interactive toys, engage in regular exercise, and incorporate training sessions to keep your dog mentally stimulated and fulfilled.

7. Dietary Adjustments: Ensure your dog is receiving a balanced and nutritious diet. Sometimes, dogs eat poop due to dietary deficiencies or poor absorption of nutrients if you are not feeding a premium pet food. Read out blog on "How to choose a healthy pet food". It has some great insights on what makes a dog food great and what ingredients you should be avoiding.

While coprophagia can be a challenging behavior to address, with patience, consistency, and the implementation of preventive measures, you can help discourage your dog from eating poop. By maintaining a clean environment, providing a balanced diet, using positive reinforcement techniques, and addressing any underlying health issues, you can promote your dog's well-being and discourage this unsavory habit. Remember, each dog is unique, so it may take time to find the most effective approach for your furry friend.