How to Stop Dog from Eating Poop

Coprophagia — the technical term for eating poop — is one of the most revolting habits a dog can have, and unfortunately one of the most common. Whether your dog eats their own feces, other dogs' poop, or cat litter box contents, it's a behavior that needs to be addressed for both hygiene and health reasons. Here's what causes it and how to stop it.

What You'll Need

• Coprophagia deterrent supplement: No Poo Chews with probiotics and enzymes are added to your dog's food and make their stool taste unpleasant, deterring them from eating it. One of the most effective tools for self-coprophagia.
• Treats and a treat pouch: Reward your dog for leaving poop alone and coming away from it on command. A treat pouch with magnetic closure keeps rewards ready for outdoor training sessions.
• A training clicker: A dog training clicker marks the moment your dog leaves poop alone and redirects to you.

Why Dogs Eat Poop

Coprophagia has several possible causes:

• Nutritional deficiency: Dogs may eat poop if they're not absorbing nutrients properly or if their diet is lacking
• Enzyme deficiency: Undigested food in stool can attract dogs to eat it
• Learned behavior: Puppies sometimes learn it from their mothers, who clean up after them
• Boredom or stress: Under-stimulated or anxious dogs may eat poop for stimulation
• Attention-seeking: If eating poop gets a big reaction from you, some dogs repeat it for the attention
• Instinct: In the wild, eating feces helped hide the pack's presence from predators
• Medical issues: Parasites, malabsorption disorders, and thyroid problems can all cause coprophagia

Step-by-Step: How to Stop Eating Poop

Step 1: Rule Out Medical Causes First

Before starting behavioral training, see your vet. A fecal exam can rule out parasites, and bloodwork can check for malabsorption or thyroid issues. If there's a medical cause, treating it may resolve the behavior entirely.

Step 2: Use a Coprophagia Deterrent Supplement

Add a coprophagia deterrent supplement to your dog's food daily. These supplements contain ingredients that make stool taste unpleasant to dogs. They work best for dogs that eat their own poop and take 2–4 weeks to show full effect. Follow the dosage instructions on the package.

Step 3: Pick Up Immediately

The simplest prevention: remove poop from the yard immediately after your dog goes. A dog can't eat poop that isn't there. Make immediate cleanup a non-negotiable habit, especially during training.

Step 4: Teach "Leave It" for Poop

Practice leave it specifically with poop on walks and in the yard. Say "leave it" the moment your dog moves toward poop, click when they back off, and reward with a high-value treat. Build this into every outdoor session until the response is automatic.

Step 5: Teach "Come Away" After Going

The moment your dog finishes eliminating, call them away immediately with a happy "come!" and reward generously. This interrupts the habit of turning around to eat what they just produced. Over time, coming to you after going becomes the automatic behavior.

Step 6: Supervise All Outdoor Time

Don't let your dog roam the yard unsupervised until the habit is broken. Every time they eat poop unsupervised, the behavior is reinforced. Supervise all outdoor time and interrupt immediately if they approach poop.

Step 7: Block Access to Cat Litter Boxes

If your dog raids the cat's litter box, place it in a room with a baby gate or cat door that only the cat can access. This removes the opportunity entirely.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

My dog eats other dogs' poop on walks

Practice leave it specifically on walks. Keep your dog on a short leash near poop and reward heavily for leaving it. The deterrent supplement won't help with other dogs' poop — leave it training is the primary tool here.

The supplement isn't working

Give it 3–4 weeks before evaluating. Make sure you're giving the correct dose and that all dogs in the household are on it (if your dog eats another dog's poop). Combine with immediate cleanup and leave it training for best results.

How Long Does It Take?

With immediate cleanup, deterrent supplements, and consistent leave it training, most dogs show significant improvement within 3–4 weeks. Some dogs require ongoing management — especially those that eat other animals' poop on walks.

Final Thoughts

Stopping coprophagia requires a multi-pronged approach: rule out medical causes, use a deterrent supplement, pick up immediately, and train a reliable leave it. With consistency and the right tools, most dogs can be redirected away from this habit within a month.