Poo eating, just what is the story with that?

By far, one of the most common questions I get on the talkback show is….how do I stop me poo eating dog?

The technical term for poo eating is coprophagia. This unsavoury behaviour is a normal canine behaviour.  However, as with most behaviours, there is a range of normal and those that fall outside of normal limits. Dog poo eating is a sign of attention-seeking behaviour, lack of stimulation, learned behaviour from other dogs in the household, self-reinforcing behaviour, hunger, play, environmental stress, anxiety and/or underlying disease.

Where do I start?

First of all, a thorough clinical examination at your regular veterinary will help rule out/in underlying disease.  Chronic pancreatic insufficiency, malabsorption, and starvation are all been linked to dog eating poo.

Although coprophagia is common, it rarely causes any ill-effects

Treatment

When catching the poo eating dog, it is reflexive to react by yelling at it to stop. Due to this reflex,  a dog reacts by eating the faeces in secret or very quickly leaving the owner no time to react.

The most effective behavioural treatments are (1) avoidance, (2) redirection, and (3) response substitution.

Certainly, avoidance is simple for the reason that the owner eliminates the poo eating dog any opportunity to eat poo. Examples include:

1. Keeping the poo eating dog indoors;
2. Keeping the poo eating dog on a lead until all other dogs in the household have pooped and the poo removed;
3. Basket muzzle training can help in early treatment stages, especially in off-lead areas.

A redirection strategy involves using a toy or treat to redirect the poo eating dog’s attention.  The instant the poo eating dog starts sniffing a poo redirect using a favourite squeaky toy.

Because it offers a permanent resolution response substitution is the favoured technique. This involves teaching the poo eating dog a replacement behaviour (e.g., sitting, making eye contact) when it finds poo.  Consistent, positive reinforcement (a.k.a. yummy treats) of the alternative behaviour will make quick work to replace the dog eating poo. For the bored poo eating dog giving them more to do will provide the dog with much-needed enrichment. Click here to discover how.

Taste Aversion Methods

Various products relying on reducing poo palatability applied directly to the poo or added to the diet. This includes adding pineapple and meat tenderiser to the poo eating dog dinners.

Although poo eating dogs are common, it carries very minimal health risks. Once medical causes are ruled in/out treatment focus’s on supervision and teaching alternative behaviours.