coprophagy is the technical condition for a dog that eats feces . There are behavioural and psychological reasons why a dog may be doing this , but we ’ll get to that subsequently in this guide for how to stop a pup from eating dirt .
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Coprophagia in Puppies
It is common for puppies to sample eating commode , both their own and that of other animals . While it is virtually harmless to eat their own poo , eat another animal ’s faecal issue could be dangerous . Viruses and parasites can be well contracted this way .
An interesting discipline perform in 2012 byDr . Benjamin Hartrevealed some disgusting , yet fascinating entropy about coprophagia in dog . For example :
Most puppy will outgrow this gross wont . If your dog seems passably set on eat on poop , thankfully , there are a issue of ways to discourage this behavior . When learning how to quit a puppy from eating poop , it ’s important to start as presently as the substance abuse is spot .
How to Stop a Puppy from Eating Poop
1. Don’t Reward Bad Behavior
The first thing to notice , whenever you spot your dog eating poop , you’re able to not reinforce the dog withanykind of attention , positive or negative .
Waving your munition or chase after the dog around may seem like a game to your puppy . While you see it as a way to get him away from the stool , the hot dog will see it as entertaining play and something they will attempt to retroflex in the time to come .
2. Use Redirection
The good manner to dole out with this is through redirection training . So when you tell apart the dog about to eat feces , applaud your hands to divert your dog ’s aid .
Clap once to redirect the attention , and then essay to move your pooch along to another domain . If he die back to the stool pile after the first clap , then spat again and proceed trying to redirect your pet in a calm manner .
As you ’re working through redirection training with your hotdog , also look into any other likely causes of coprophagia in your dog . Some of the most vulgar ones are listed below .
3. Adjust Your Dog’s Diet
A poor diet is one of theleading causesof coprophagia in dogs . Those seeking extra nutrition may count for it in stool . Undigested nutrients are go through canine ’s ordure , which may pull a malnutritioned dog .
If your cad is eating poop and you ’re feeding him a low tone diet , you should consult your veterinarian for advice on what dietary change you need to make . A vet will evaluate your pet ’s nutrition to help oneself you assess any unmet motivation .
You will also necessitate totransition your dog to a higher caliber dietthat will adjoin his unique nutritional want , thereby decreasing the animal ’s impulse to seek nutrients in fecal matter .
4. Relieve Boredom
Boredom can also leave to a dog ’s coprophagia doings .
For example , if your puppy isleft unattended for too long , he will look for things to do to think of himself . As utter as it may seem to you , searching for a collation in the yard will be mentally engaging for your dog .
To keep this , exempt tedium in your dog – there aremany ways to do it . At the very least , go alfresco and play fetch or tug - of - war . Take your dog-iron for a tenacious walk to incinerate his vitality . If your dog is an greedy faecal matter eater , it ’s best not to leave him outside neglected while attempting to retrain and cease a dog from eating poop .
5. Check for Underlying Health Issues
In very rare cases , there may be anunderlying health conditioncausing your dog to eat quarter . Certain health problems that cause a general increase in a dog ’s appetite , and some disease of thedog ’s pancreasandsmall intestinecan cause dogs to seek out potty to ingest .
If your dog beginseating feces out of the blue , you should consult your vet . This is especially honest for older wiener , since deplete poop is less common when they are n’t puppies any longer .
6. Use a Leash
It may be that your cad is exceptionally stubborn . If so , you will need to take the air your pup on a trinity .
If the dog goes near a pile of poop , airt him and reward him for leave the the skinny alone . Use a unmarried command , such as “ No ” or “ Leave it ” , and then lead your dog away from the stool .
If all else fails , muster in the assistant of a trained professional . Call dog trainers in your domain and ask if they have experience with this case of grooming ( most of them do ) . Choose a trainer that has work with poo eating dogs before .
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