How to Stop Your Dog from Eating Poop

Rule Out Medical Causes First

Before addressing behavior, talk to your vet. While coprophagia is often behavioral, it can stem from medical issues like malabsorption disorders, pancreatitis, intestinal infections, or food allergies. Some dogs eat feces to get nutrients they’re missing, especially if they’re not absorbing food properly. If your dog is eating stool from other animals, they risk picking up intestinal parasites or bacteria, which can also spread to humans.

Control the Environment Completely

Your dog can’t eat poop if they can’t access it. Supervise your dog closely when outside—keep them on a leash so you can stop them before they start. Clean up waste immediately after your dog poops, both in your yard and in public areas. This removes the opportunity entirely. If your dog is eating cat litter box waste, keep the litter box inaccessible, as cat feces are high in protein and highly appealing.

Use Positive Reinforcement Training

When your dog shows interest in poop, interrupt the behavior with “leave it” and redirect their attention with “look at me.” Reward them with a treat immediately when they obey. This turns the moment into a training opportunity. Over time, your dog will learn that looking at you is more rewarding than eating poop. Practice this consistently, even if it feels like a secondary training session. Reward intermittently to strengthen the behavior long-term.

Address Hunger and Boredom

Some dogs eat feces because they’re always hungry or bored. Feed a high-quality diet and divide meals into smaller portions throughout the day. Use puzzle toys or activity feeders to slow down fast eaters and provide mental stimulation. Dogs from stressful backgrounds—like puppy mills or shelters—may turn to poop as a form of entertainment due to lack of enrichment.

Avoid Ineffective or Harmful Methods

Don’t use bitter sprays, pepper, pineapple, or mint on feces. These often don’t work because dogs swallow quickly, and the taste never registers. Some ingredients can even cause adverse reactions. Punishing your dog after they eat poop can backfire—your dog may learn to hide or bury their waste to avoid punishment, which reinforces the behavior.