Quick Answer: The fastest fix: pick up immediately after every toilet — no access means no eating. Coprophagia (poop eating) in dogs is usually caused by boredom, nutritional gaps (eating their own poop is most common, eating other animals' poop can be instinctive scavenging), attention-seeking (even negative attention is attention), or in puppies, copying their mother's natural den-cleaning behavior.
Solving by Cause
- Boredom — dramatically increase enrichment. Snuffle mat meals and frozen lick mats give a more interesting outlet.
- Nutritional — discuss with vet. Adding digestive enzymes or dietary supplements sometimes resolves the behavior.
- Attention-seeking — remove all reaction when you see it happening. Any reaction (even 'no!') is rewarding.
- Puppies — usually grows out of it by 6-9 months. Manage access in the meantime.
The Management Rule
Never allow access — pick up immediately every single time. The behavior cannot be maintained without opportunity.
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