How to stop puppy from eating poop home remedies?

Coprophagia — a puppy eating feces — is one of those behaviors that makes experienced owners pause and new owners panic. It matters because it can affect a puppy’s health, your home hygiene, and how comfortable you feel having visitors over. I typically see this most often in new puppy owners, homes with several dogs where one copies another, and in adopters from rescues where the pup’s early history is unknown. If the behavior starts suddenly, is frequent, or comes with other signs of illness, it deserves prompt attention; if it’s an occasional, brief sniff-and-taste in a well puppy, practical management and training often solve the problem.

Immediate actions to stop your puppy from eating poop — safe fixes you can try today

If you only remember three things, make them these: supervise and remove feces quickly, interrupt and redirect when you catch the puppy at it, and call your veterinarian if the change is sudden or persistent. The following short steps are actions you can apply right away.

• Watch closely and remove stool as soon as your puppy drops it; if you can’t follow the pup, leash them for bathroom breaks so you can control access.
• When you catch them going for stool, calmly interrupt with a firm “No” or a clap, then redirect to a toy or call them for a high–value treat and praise when they leave it.
• If the behavior appears overnight, increases rapidly, or is paired with vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, or lethargy, contact your veterinarian for an exam and basic fecal testing.

Inside your puppy’s instincts: the biological reasons some puppies eat feces

Puppies explore the world with their mouths: tasting, mouthing, and sampling objects is normal during the first months. That oral-stage exploration is a primary reason young dogs sample feces. Beyond curiosity, a few biological possibilities may explain the behavior in some puppies. If a pup is missing digestive enzymes or is poorly digesting food, their stool may still contain partially digested nutrients that are attractive. Similarly, some intestinal parasites or malabsorption syndromes may make feces more appealing or lead the puppy to try to replenish lost nutrients.

Maternal behavior also plays a role. A mother cleans puppies’ sleeping areas by eating stool during the early weeks; puppies may learn that handling feces is acceptable. Finally, attention and reinforcement shape behavior: if a puppy is ignored until they eat poop and then everyone reacts strongly (even negatively), the attention itself can serve as a reward and increase repetition. These are tendencies and possibilities rather than definitive causes in any single dog, so a short diagnostic check is useful when the behavior persists.

When it tends to happen: common ages, situations and triggers

Patterns provide clues. Most owners notice coprophagia soon after meals, when the stool is freshest and often more odorous. It can also show up when puppies are bored or understimulated, particularly if they spend long unsupervised times in a yard or crate. Multi-dog households sometimes show “copycat” episodes: one dog finds something and the others try it. Timing matters too — after vigorous play or exercise when attention is scattered, a puppy may grab a dropped piece of feces. Stressful changes — a new schedule, moving house, or separation anxiety — may increase the behavior. Teething periods, when puppies seek relief by chewing and mouthing, also make sampling more likely.

Spotting trouble: medical red flags that mean a vet visit is needed

Training and management help many puppies, but certain signs mean the problem needs veterinary investigation first. Systemic signs such as repeated vomiting, persistent diarrhea, weight loss despite a good appetite, or lethargy suggest a medical issue that could be driving the behavior. If the coprophagia begins suddenly in an adult dog, or if it continues even after consistent training and removal of feces, that persistence can suggest malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, or intestinal parasites. There’s also a risk of toxin or pathogen exposure if a puppy eats feces from other animals or from wildlife; sudden behavioral changes after such ingestion should prompt a call to your vet or a poison control hotline. Basic fecal testing, a review of diet and body condition, and sometimes bloodwork help rule out these causes.

A practical timeline for owners: what to do over the coming days and weeks

Immediate: remove access. Start by preventing opportunities. Keep the yard picked up, supervise outdoor time, and leash the puppy for potty breaks until they reliably eliminate on cue. If the puppy eliminates in the house, remove the stool right away; do not let the pup have unsupervised access to areas where feces might be left.

Evaluate: check health and diet. Book a vet visit for a physical exam and fecal parasite test, especially if you see any digestive upset or weight changes. Discuss whether the diet is meeting life-stage needs; sometimes a more digestible, higher-quality puppy food or a short trial of a prescribed diet reduces the attraction of stool. In some cases, vets may recommend digestive enzyme supplements if malabsorption is suspected — use only products your vet approves.

Train: set up a consistent training plan that starts with prevention and moves toward reliable cues. Teach a strong “leave it” cue in low-distraction settings using food rewards, then gradually practice near lower-value distractions, and finally around feces under supervision. Use a short leash to guide the puppy away from stool and reward immediately when they choose you over the feces. Keep rewards higher-value than what they might find on the ground; for many puppies that may mean tiny pieces of cooked chicken or special training treats you only use for this command.

Progression: once the puppy reliably ignores stool on leash and offers attention instead, begin to give more freedom in safe, supervised areas and gradually lengthen the time between direct supervision and correction. If the behavior returns, step back to closer management and shorter sessions; consistency is what changes the habit over weeks. Expect measurable improvement over 2–8 weeks with steady practice.

Preventing relapse: training techniques and environment changes that stick

Good management reduces the chance of mistakes. Set a strict potty routine: frequent scheduled outings, especially after meals, wakes, and play sessions, reduce opportunities for the puppy to access fresh feces. Crate training is useful to limit unsupervised roaming during the learning period; crates should be used as a calm, comfortable den rather than punishment. When outside, a short leash and a harness keep you close enough to intervene quickly.

Teaching cues is central. Work “leave it” and a strong recall in separate sessions, then combine them in more realistic scenarios. Practice “leave it” with low-value items first, then build up to things the puppy finds tempting. Use immediate, predictable rewards when the puppy responds correctly. Avoid harsh punishment; it can increase stress and make hiding or sneaky consumption more likely. Instead, focus on removing the opportunity, interrupting gently, and reinforcing the alternative behavior.

Address boredom and attention-seeking by increasing enrichment: regular short training sessions, puzzle feeders, supervised chew toys, and interactive play can reduce the urge to sample non-food items. In multi-dog homes, watch for competition at elimination sites; if one dog starts the behavior, separate dogs during potty breaks until each is steady on a cue to eliminate and leave it.

Products that help: safe tools and supplies to make prevention easier

• Pooper-scoops, long-handled tongs, and disposable waste bags so you can remove stool quickly without touching it; store waste in a secure outdoor bin.
• A short leash and a non-restrictive harness for controlled, supervised potty trips — a 4–6 foot leash keeps the puppy close for immediate interruption.
• High-value training treats reserved for “leave it” practice and recall; puzzle feeders and durable chew toys to reduce boredom.
• Vet-approved digestive enzyme supplements or probiotics only after discussion with your veterinarian; do not start supplements without a clean fecal test and a nutritional review.

If progress stalls despite consistent management, consider consulting a certified applied animal behaviorist or a veterinarian with behavior training. I often see improvement when an individualized plan addresses both medical and behavioral contributors, because the combination is what breaks the cycle in stubborn cases.

If your puppy eats something risky: immediate steps and when to call the vet

If you suspect your puppy has eaten another animal’s stool — especially from wildlife, unknown dogs, or cats — watch closely for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or sudden changes in breathing or coordination. Contact your veterinarian and bring a sample if possible; some pathogens and parasites require prompt treatment. If you believe the stool might contain toxins (for example, rodenticide-laced vomit or feces near treated areas), seek emergency veterinary advice immediately. For non-urgent but concerning behavior, document when and how often it happens, what kind of feces was involved, and what interventions you tried; that record helps your vet and behaviorist tailor recommendations.

Final practical takeaways for everyday life

Expecting instant perfection is unrealistic; most puppies require weeks of consistent management and reinforcement before habits change. Small, steady steps — supervised toileting, rapid removal of stool, clear cues, and a veterinary check — reduce the behavior for most pups. Keep training sessions short and frequent, and celebrate progress: if your puppy chooses you over the feces even a few times a day, you’re on the right track. If you feel stuck, a clinic visit that includes a fecal exam, diet review, and a behavior consult is a practical next step.

References and further reading

• Merck Veterinary Manual: Coprophagia in Dogs — Merck Veterinary Manual, section on behavioral and nutritional disorders related to stool eating.
• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA): Why Dogs Eat Poop (Coprophagia) — owner guidance and veterinary perspectives.
• American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB): Resources for Owners — clinical behavior recommendations including elimination-related issues.
• Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: Coprophagia — behavioral causes and management strategies from the behavior service.
• ASPCA Pro: Coprophagia in Dogs — clinical overview for identification, risks, and management used by shelter and clinical staff.