I'm often asked why dogs eat poop so I thought I'd explain it here. The formal name for a dog eating poop is Coprophagia and whilst you and I may believe it's a disgusting habit, dogs and puppies don't!
Understand the reasons why they do it and what you can do to stop it.
First of all, let me reassure you, you're not alone.
Whilst it may not be very pleasant to witness, it's quite a common sight and if your puppy begins to eat his own poo, you shouldn't really worry too much because he'll probably grow out of it.
In the meantime, continue to do your regular 'poop patrol' in the garden to help reduce his opportunity to snack.
You might like to add pineapple to his diet as this is thought to make his poop unpalatable. (I can't believe I just wrote that!).
You can also step up on the Leave command. You'll need to make sure that the treat you have ready for him is tastier than the poop he's about to eat. Chopped liver or chicken will probably do the trick!
There may be several reasons why dogs eat poop:
Understanding why your dog is eating poop in the first place will help you to rectify his anti-social activities.
It's important to stop your puppy eating poop before the 'indulgence' becomes a habit otherwise it may become more difficult to deal with.
If you catch your puppy in the act, don't get angry with him or punish him for it because you may inadvertently teach him that he's being punished for pooping.
In his mind, the punishment may confirm that his decision to eat (ie, 'dispose of the evidence') was a good one.
Go to the next page to learn how to stop your puppy eating poop and enjoy his sweet scented kisses (albeit slobbery!) and loving licks once more!
Photo Credit: Why Dogs Eat Poop
1. Crabchick at www.Flickr.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/62327186@N00/3523890628