Stop Puppies From Eating Feces

Puppies are often caught eating fecal material and humans tend to think it is because they are hungry. This is false. The condition is called coprophagia and is normal in small pups. There are mineral and vitamin deficiencies that can cause the pup to eat the feces to try to gain the vitamins he needs. It is a rather disgusting habit the pup adopts and most will continue this behavior after the deficiency is fixed due to the habit. Breaking the habit as a puppy will ensure a fresh mouthed pup and a less disgusted owner in the long run.

Instructions

1. Spray the training paper with Bitter Apple spray. This should only go on the paper you are using to train your pup to potty. If you are not training with paper, spray the area that the pup normally goes in so the pungent smell will make the pup avoid the fecal matter already present.

2. Administer one puppy vitamin a day, or as directed, to give the vitamins and minerals that your pup seems to be lacking. Add one package or the recommended dose of Forbid to your dog's food every day. This gives the fecal matter a bad taste and the dog will no longer like it. Follow the directions on the package specific for your dog's weight.

3. Walk your dog on a leash if you are not training indoors. Every time the dog begins to nibble or bite on fecal matter, tell the dog NO and remove him from the area. Eating other dog's feces can lead to worms and other diseases that require a veterinarian's care.

4. Spray Bitter Apple on the excrement as soon as your dog is finished going. This will deter the dog from wanting to eat it due to the bitter taste and pungent odor. Bitter Apple has no ingredients that will hurt your animal, but does give the stimulation needed to avoid almost any material it is placed on.

5. Repeat these steps daily for a week to give your puppy time to get used to the new routine. Be repetitive and consistent with your actions and praise the dog for going to the bathroom and not eating it, when you no longer see the pup engaging in the habit. A treat given after going to the bathroom can also aid in breaking this habit.

Tags: Bitter Apple, fecal matter, going bathroom