Why Is My Dog Eating Poop? (And How To Make It Stop)

You let your dog out, glance through the back window, and catch it. Your dog is eating poop. Then they trot back inside and try to give you a kiss. If you just gagged reading that, you're not alone. Dog eating poop is one of the most searched dog problems on the internet, and almost every owner deals with it at some point.

The good news: it's usually fixable. The even better news: the most effective fix is also the simplest.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? The Real Reasons

Vets call it coprophagia, and it's surprisingly normal dog behavior. The most common reasons include:

• Boredom: a dog with nothing to do will find something to do, and the yard is full of options.
• Instinct: mother dogs clean up after puppies, and some dogs never lose the habit.
• Attention: if eating poop gets a big reaction from you, some dogs learn it's a great way to get noticed.
• Hunger or diet: some dogs eat poop because they're hungry, or because something about their food or digestion isn't quite right.
• Opportunity: the more poop sitting in the yard, the more chances your dog has to make a bad decision.

When To Call Your Vet

If the habit starts suddenly, your dog is losing weight, seems hungrier than usual, or has diarrhea or other changes, call your vet. Parasites, absorption problems and some medical conditions can show up this way, and it's worth ruling those out first.

How To Stop Your Dog From Eating Poop

• Pick it up right away. Dogs can't eat what isn't there. This is the single most effective step.
• Go out with them. Walk your dog on a leash in the yard for a couple of weeks and reward them for walking away from waste.
• Teach "leave it." A solid "leave it" command, practiced with treats, gives you a way to interrupt.
• Burn off energy. A bored dog snacks. Daily walks and play cut down on the boredom that drives the habit.
• Stay calm. Skip the big reaction, and redirect instead.

The Habit That Shuts It Down: A Clean Yard

Here's the honest truth most articles skip: training only works if the temptation isn't sitting there every time your dog goes outside. In a Florida backyard, waste can pile up fast, especially with more than one dog. A consistently clean yard removes the opportunity, and the habit fades.

That's exactly what we do. We grid-search your whole yard on a regular schedule, so there's nothing left for your dog to find. Pair it with a midday walk and you take care of boredom too. Get your free instant quote for weekly scooping, or add a dog walk to the same visit from $9.99.

Take the Temptation Out of the Yard

Training only works when the temptation isn't sitting there every time your dog goes outside. Remove it for good. We grid-search your whole yard on a regular schedule, so there's nothing left for your dog to find. Weekly service starts at $14.99 with no contracts, and every visit is backed by our Spotless Yard Guarantee: if we miss a spot, tell us within 24 hours and we'll come back and re-clean it free. Still not happy? That visit is free.

We're local, and we serve dog owners in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, San Antonio, Dade City, Lutz, New Tampa and Plant City. Get your free instant quote in about 60 seconds, with no phone call needed.

Keep reading: Why Dog Poop Is a Bigger Health Risk Than You Think and How Often Should You Actually Scoop? We Did the Math So You Don't Have To.

About the Author

Tiffani, Owner of Scoop Dog

U.S. Army veteran and Zephyrhills dog mom to Luna and Snickers. Tiffani personally scoops yards and walks dogs across Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Land O' Lakes, San Antonio, Dade City, Lutz, New Tampa and Plant City, and writes every guide from what she sees in local backyards each week. Read her story.