Introduction
If you’ve recently welcomed a new puppy into your home, you may soon be faced with an unpleasant problem. Coprophagia, or the ingestion of feces, is a common behavior among puppies. It can be disgusting and embarrassing, but it is also very normal.
The purpose of this article is to provide home remedies and tips to help you stop your puppy from eating poop. We will discuss ways to keep your puppy active, feed a nutritious diet, discourage poop eating, use taste deterrents, train your puppy, and increase supervision.
This article is intended for pet owners who have recently acquired a puppy, as well as those who are looking for ways to address coprophagia in their adult dogs.
Keep Your Puppy Active
One of the most effective ways to prevent your puppy from eating poop is to ensure they get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Dogs that are bored and lacking physical activity are more likely to engage in undesirable behaviors such as coprophagia.
Provide Plenty of Exercise
Exercise not only helps to keep your pup physically fit, but it also helps to keep them mentally stimulated. Make sure to take your puppy outside for regular walks and playtime. This will help to tire them out and prevent them from seeking out other sources of entertainment, such as poop.
Mental Stimulation
In addition to providing your puppy with physical exercise, it is important to give them mental stimulation as well. Puzzles, treat-dispensing toys, and training classes can all help to keep your puppy’s mind engaged and prevent them from engaging in undesirable behaviors.
Feed a Nutritious Diet
One of the main reasons why puppies eat poop is because they are nutritionally deficient. To prevent this, it is important to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need from their diet.
Ensure Proper Nutrition
It is important to feed your puppy a high-quality, balanced diet. Look for food that is specifically formulated for puppies and consult with your veterinarian regarding the best type of food for your pup.
It is also important to monitor your puppy’s food intake. Many puppies are given too much food and become overweight, which can contribute to coprophagia.
Prevent Seeking Out Other Sources of Food
In addition to feeding your puppy a nutritious diet, it is important to make sure they are not getting food from other sources. Pick up any spilled food and make sure no other pets in the house are feeding your puppy.
Discourage Poop Eating
Once you have ensured that your puppy is getting enough exercise and a proper diet, it is time to start discouraging the behavior. There are several steps you can take to discourage poop eating.
Remove Any Feces Found
Whenever you take your puppy outside, make sure to remove any feces found. If your puppy has already eaten the poop, make sure to clean up the contaminated area and wash your hands thoroughly.
Clean Up Contaminated Areas
If your puppy has been eating poop in a particular area, it is important to clean up the area thoroughly. Use a pet-safe cleaner to eliminate any lingering odors that may attract your puppy back to the area.
Use Taste Deterrents
Taste deterrents are substances that are sprayed or coated onto the feces to make them unappealing to your puppy. These substances include bitter apple sprays, lemon juice, and hot sauce.
Spraying or Coating with Bitter Substances
Bitter apple sprays are often used to deter puppies from eating poop. These sprays contain a bitter-tasting substance that makes the feces unappealing. Make sure to follow the directions on the bottle and spray the feces before your puppy has the chance to eat it.
Hot Sauce or Lemon Juice
Another option is to spray or coat the feces with hot sauce or lemon juice. These substances have a strong odor and taste that will make the feces unappealing to your puppy.
Train Your Puppy
Training is an important part of preventing coprophagia. Teaching your puppy commands such as “leave it” can help to redirect their attention away from the poop.
Teach Commands such as “Leave It”
Teaching your puppy the command “leave it” can help to redirect their attention away from the poop. When your puppy starts to sniff or move towards the poop, use the command “leave it” and reward your puppy for following the command.
Redirect Attention Away from the Poop
When your puppy starts to sniff or move towards the poop, use the command “leave it” and reward your puppy for following the command. You can also try to redirect their attention by giving them a treat or toy.
Increase Supervision
It is important to supervise your puppy while they are outdoors. This will help you catch them before they have the chance to eat any poop.
Watch Puppy While Outdoors
Make sure to keep an eye on your puppy while they are outdoors. If you see them sniffing around or moving towards the poop, immediately distract them with a treat or toy.
Catch Before Eating Poop
If your puppy has already started to eat the poop, calmly say “no” and remove them from the area. Do not punish your puppy as this could make the behavior worse.
Seek Professional Help
If you’ve tried all the above remedies and your puppy is still eating poop, it may be time to seek professional help. A dog trainer or behaviorist can help identify the root cause of the problem and develop a plan to address it.
Dog Trainer or Behaviorist
A dog trainer or behaviorist can help you identify the cause of your puppy’s coprophagia and develop a plan to address it. They can also teach you how to properly train your puppy and provide guidance on how to prevent the behavior in the future.
Address Root Cause of the Problem
It is important to address the root cause of the problem rather than just trying to mask the symptoms. A dog trainer or behaviorist can help you identify the cause and develop a plan to address it. As Dr. Stephen Zawistowski, Science Advisor at the ASPCA, points out, “It is critical to understand why a dog is engaging in the behavior so that appropriate steps can be taken to address it.”
Conclusion
Coprophagia, or the ingestion of feces, is a common behavior among puppies. However, there are several steps you can take to stop your puppy from eating poop. Keeping your puppy active, feeding a nutritious diet, using taste deterrents, training your puppy, and increasing supervision are all effective methods of discouraging this behavior. If you’ve tried all the above remedies and your puppy is still eating poop, it may be time to seek professional help. A dog trainer or behaviorist can help you identify the root cause of the problem and develop a plan to address it.
By following these tips and taking the necessary steps to address the underlying causes of the behavior, you can help to stop your puppy from eating poop.
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