Dog Training-Train your dog to stop eating feces (Coprophagia)

Eating feces is a dog behavior referred to as coprophagia. Have you ever actually seen your dog eating feces? A very unpleasant part of dog behavior, wasn’t it? It's amazing how a simple name substitution can tidy up such a graphically foul concept.

In the past it was believed that this dog behavior resulted poor health or diet. Today, some researchers say it's more likely boredom, stress or anxiety that causes this unappealing dog behavior.

Some even say it is a holdover from long ago when wild dogs ate the feces of their pups to eliminate odors that might signal the pups’ presence to predators in the area. Whatever the cause, it is almost universally viewed by pet owners as a dog behavior that needs correction.

Although today you might even cook a nice meal for your dog on

occasion, you must realize that in the world of dogs and normal dog behavior, there's nothing inherently distasteful or inappropriate about a dog eating feces. However, since humans domesticated dogs as pets, we see this issue a teensy bit differently than the dogs do.

Coprophagia is usually found in younger dogs that are less than nine months old that never have any dog training. It can also be found in more mature dogs, especially if they have been treated with antibiotics. Unfortunately, dog behavior doesn’t always result in activities we thoroughly enjoy like this one.

Stumbling upon your dog actively devouring his own "stuff" and finding your new carpet full of poop is not only repulsive but also unsanitary and can expose your dog to parasitic diseases. It definitely gives you a new appreciation for dog behavior and for learning how best to deal with your dog’s less desirable habits.

Ok, so now that you accept that dog behavior that includes eating feces is not a good thing as Martha might put it, What do you do about dog training besides keeping his area clean and free of feces?

You could start this dog training trick by keeping a little bottle of Tabasco handy when you take him for a stroll. Keep a vigilant eye for that telltale “feces-eating grin” that comes over his face just before he pounces on his latest deposit. Assuming you have fast hands, you could then quickly splash it with a hefty dose of the fiery brew to hopefully make him think twice about wolfing it down.

Some dog training manuals suggest mixing vegetable oil or MSG with garlic and pumpkin or perhaps even pineapple and spinach into your dog’s food (heck, sounds tasty even to me!) so that he won’t go near his feces again. Some pet stores suggest a product called "Forbid" but again, results can be lacking in your particular dog.

What are the two best dog training ways to control this undesirable dog behavior? Walk your dog on a taut leash and immediately lead him away, forcefully if necessary, from the presence of his latest deposit. If dog behavior proves stronger than your tugs on his leash, be sure to quickly offer him one of his favorite treats to divert his attention as you leave the area and get him to forget about his intended target.

Since you cannot watch over him 24 hours a day, you may have to muzzle him for those off dog training periods where you leave him to romp around outside un-attended where he is free to engage in his favorite dog behavior at will. Also, if you have cats, be sure to place their litter box someplace the dog cannot reach.

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