The Direct Approach That Works
Most dogs stop eating poop when you combine three tactics: immediate redirection with a high-value treat, consistent "leave it" training, and removing access to feces within 60 seconds of elimination. I've seen this approach work with about 80% of dogs within 2-3 weeks of consistent application.
The key isn't just stopping the behavior—it's understanding why your dog finds poop so appealing in the first place.
Why Dogs Eat Poop (And Why It Matters)
In my 15 years training dogs, I've identified the most common reasons behind coprophagia:
- Ancestral cleanup instinct: Mother dogs naturally clean their puppies' waste, and some dogs retain this behavior
- Nutritional deficiency: Poor-quality food or digestive issues can drive dogs to seek nutrients elsewhere
- Attention-seeking: Even negative attention reinforces the behavior for many dogs
- Stress or boredom: Especially common in dogs left alone for 8+ hours daily
- Medical issues: Parasites, enzyme deficiencies, or medications like steroids increase appetite
Understanding your dog's specific trigger helps you choose the most effective training approach.
Seven Proven Methods to Stop Poop Eating
Method 1: The "Leave It" Foundation
This is your most powerful tool. Start indoors with low-value items:
- Hold a treat in your closed fist
- When your dog stops pawing and sits back, say "leave it" and reward
- Practice 5-10 times daily for one week
- Graduate to dropping treats on the floor
- Finally, practice outdoors near (but not with) feces
Most dogs master indoor "leave it" within 3-5 days, but outdoor application takes another 2-3 weeks of consistent practice.
Method 2: Management and Immediate Cleanup
Prevention beats correction every time. I tell my clients to follow the "60-second rule"—clean up all feces within one minute of elimination. This requires:
- Supervised potty breaks for the first month
- Daily yard cleanup before letting dogs out
- Keeping treats handy to redirect attention while you clean
This method alone reduces incidents by 70% in most households.
Method 3: Strategic Redirection
The moment you see pre-poop-eating behavior (sniffing, lowering head toward feces), immediately:
- Call your dog's name enthusiastically
- Show a high-value treat or favorite toy
- Reward heavily when they come to you instead
- Practice recall games in the yard daily
Timing is everything—waiting until they've already started eating makes this method ineffective.
Method 4: Taste Deterrent Products
Commercial products like "For-Bid" or "Deter" can help, but they're not magic bullets. I've seen about 50% success rates with these supplements. They work by making the dog's own feces taste unappetizing.
Important note: These products won't stop dogs from eating other animals' waste, which is often the bigger problem.
Method 5: Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Bored dogs are much more likely to eat poop. I recommend:
- 30-60 minutes of physical exercise daily (breed-dependent)
- Puzzle feeders for every meal
- Training sessions 2-3 times daily, even just 5 minutes each
- Rotating toys weekly to maintain novelty
High-energy breeds like Border Collies or Labs often need 90+ minutes of activity to reduce unwanted behaviors.
Method 6: Address Nutritional Issues
If your dog suddenly starts eating poop, consider:
- Switching to a higher-quality food with better digestibility
- Adding digestive enzymes to meals (consult your vet first)
- Feeding smaller, more frequent meals
- Ruling out parasites with a fecal exam
I've seen dramatic improvements when dogs switch from grocery store brands to premium foods with named meat sources as the first ingredient.
Method 7: The "Trade" Game
Teach your dog that dropping poop earns something even better:
- Start with less appealing items like regular kibble
- Say "drop it" and immediately offer a high-value treat
- Practice until your dog automatically drops items when asked
- Apply this to poop situations outdoors
This builds on your dog's natural tendency to make beneficial trades rather than fighting over resources.
What If It's Not Working?
If you've tried these methods consistently for 4-6 weeks without improvement, consider these factors:
Medical issues first: Schedule a vet visit to rule out enzyme deficiencies, parasites, or dietary sensitivities. I've seen cases where underlying digestive problems drove the behavior entirely.
Consistency gaps: Everyone in your household must follow the same approach. One family member allowing the behavior undermines weeks of training.
Stress factors: Major changes like moving, new pets, or schedule changes can trigger behavioral regression. Address the stressor while maintaining training consistency.
Access to other animals' waste: Cat litter boxes, wild animal droppings, or other dogs' feces often remain appealing even after your dog stops eating their own waste.
Common Mistakes That Make Things Worse
Through years of working with frustrated dog owners, I've identified these training killers:
Chasing and yelling: This turns poop-eating into a fun chase game. Dogs learn to grab and run, making the behavior harder to interrupt.
Punishment after the fact: Scolding your dog minutes after they've eaten poop doesn't connect to the behavior. It just makes them more secretive.
Inconsistent timing: Saying "leave it" while your dog is already chewing makes the command meaningless. You must interrupt before contact.
Using regular kibble as rewards: When competing with the appeal of fresh feces, your everyday treats often aren't motivating enough.
Giving up too early: Behavioral changes take 3-8 weeks depending on how ingrained the habit is. Many owners quit right before seeing breakthrough results.
Breed and Age Considerations
Certain factors make training easier or harder:
Puppies (under 6 months): Often stop naturally as they mature, but don't wait—bad habits become harder to break. Focus on prevention and basic "leave it" training.
Senior dogs: May have developed this habit over years, requiring more patience. Medical evaluation is especially important for older dogs showing new behaviors.
High-drive breeds: Labs, Beagles, and other food-motivated breeds often respond well to treat-based redirection methods.
Independent breeds: Cats, Basenjis, and similar breeds may need more creative motivation since food rewards alone might not be sufficient.
Rescue dogs: Previous starvation or poor living conditions can make this behavior more persistent. Patience and consistent nutrition help address underlying anxiety.
Creating Long-term Success
The dogs I've worked with who permanently stop eating poop share common factors:
- Owners who stayed consistent for at least 6-8 weeks
- Daily mental and physical exercise appropriate for the breed
- High-quality nutrition that improves overall digestive health
- Strong "leave it" and recall training that transfers to other situations
Remember, some dogs may always have the urge but learn to control it through training. That's still a complete success.
For personalized guidance specific to your dog's situation, our AI Dog Trainer can help you create a customized training plan based on your dog's breed, age, and specific challenges.