Okay so, I just caught my dog eating poop and I’m freaking out a little lol. Like, why do they even do that?? Is it something to worry about or just one of those weird dog things? I’ve heard puppies might do it sometimes but my dog’s not even a puppy. Could it be stress or something else? Kinda gross but I’m curious if anyone else has dealt with this and figured it out.
Yeah, it’s actually a thing. It’s called coprophagia. Some dogs do it when they’re anxious or bored.
Rory said:
Yeah, it’s actually a thing. It’s called coprophagia. Some dogs do it when they’re anxious or bored.
Wait, what’s coprophagia? Never heard that before 
Rory said:
Yeah, it’s actually a thing. It’s called coprophagia. Some dogs do it when they’re anxious or bored.
Wait, what’s coprophagia? Never heard that before
Haha yeah it’s just the word for poop-eating. Weird word, I know. Basically means dogs eating their or other animals’ poop.
Rory said:
Yeah, it’s actually a thing. It’s called coprophagia. Some dogs do it when they’re anxious or bored.
My pup used to do it when we crated him too much. I think it was anxiety + boredom. Toys helped a lot.
It could also be a nutrition thing. Like, if they’re missing stuff in their diet they might go after poop. Gross but true.
Willow said:
It could also be a nutrition thing. Like, if they’re missing stuff in their diet they might go after poop. Gross but true.
Fr? So like, should I switch up their food or something?
@Blake
Maybe! But I’d ask a vet just in case. They can check for parasites or vitamin stuff too.
Some dogs do it just to get attention. Like if you freak out every time they do it, they think it’s a game 
Gale said:
Some dogs do it just to get attention. Like if you freak out every time they do it, they think it’s a game
Omg that makes sense. I probably made it worse yelling at him 
@Harlan
Lol same here. I started ignoring the behavior and rewarding him for good stuff instead. Helped a lot.
If they were punished hard as puppies for accidents, they might eat it to ‘hide the evidence’. Like a shame thing.
Bennie said:
If they were punished hard as puppies for accidents, they might eat it to ‘hide the evidence’. Like a shame thing.
That’s kinda sad tbh. Dogs really remember that stuff huh.
@Ori
Yeah they do. That’s why it’s better to go with treats and praise instead of yelling.
If you’ve got a pup doing it, just clean up their poop fast and reward them when they leave it alone. Worked for mine.
Phoenix said:
If you’ve got a pup doing it, just clean up their poop fast and reward them when they leave it alone. Worked for mine.
How fast are we talking? Like, right after they go?
@Barrett
Yeah basically. I bring treats and clean up while they’re still munching on the reward lol.