How To Stop Your Dog Eating Feces

If your dog is eating feces (faeces - British English) and you want to stop it, then read on!

Canine coprophagia is quite a common problem. Dogs eat poo sometimes out of habit and sometimes because there is something lacking in their diet.

It could be that your dog has simply got into the habit of doing this. It is not an uncommon thing for dogs to do even though for us, it is quite disgusting to witness! Perhaps our first response when our dog did this was to scream and shout and this may have affected the dog’s decision to repeat the activity.

It could be that their diet is lacking in certain nutrients. We were told that a high fibre diet would help. We changed to Burns High Oats dog food. To be fair this may have worked but after two weeks I decided that I couldn’t wait any longer. Something had to be done!

If your dog eats poop then try this device that worked brilliantly for us: the MasterPlus Spray Pro Training System.

This is a waterproof spray collar which the owner controls with a remote controlled device.

• the first is a noise


• the second is a short spray of air


• The third is a longer spray of air.

When I first put the collar on, Georgie went straight to eat her sister’s poo as normal and as she was about to eat it, I set off the remote collar - on the short spray setting. She immediately left the poo and ran towards me. I called her name to encourage her back and gave her a delicious treat for her incredible obedience!

She had another go the following day and rather than using the spray I set off the sound rather than the spray. She immediately changed her mind and left the faeces on the ground.

There were no more attempts until two weeks later when I was walking with my friend. Georgie must have thought no one was looking so had another go. Of course I was watching her out of the corner of my eye and I buzzed the collar (not the spray) - she checked herself and left it immediately.

This device has been the only thing that's worked and after years of trying various things (including adding pinepaple to their diet) this collar has stopped the problem completely.

I only wish I’d bought it earlier.

The first week or so saw Georgie pinned to my side which to be honest I didn’t like. I felt her unease at the collar and she was clearly unsettled by having it on. Within two weeks however she had learned that as long as she listens to me nothing will happen.

I got through that first week by thinking that although she is uneasy it is better than her eating something dangerous and getting ill, or worse.

Our Golden Retriever wore this every day for two or three months. During the time she went exploring, rolled around in the grass, went off to meet other dogs, paddled in ponds - she forgot she was wearing it and after the initial few days, I very rarely activated it. When I did it was the warning sound I used and not the spray - that was always enough to remind her.

After two or three months of constant use she no longer wears it. She's got out of the habit thanks goodness, she does her poop, and carries on leaving her poop untouched. If she ever slipped back however, I would definitely use it again.

Her days of eating poo are certainly behind her and I would highly recommend this product to anyone wanting to deter coprophagia in their dog.

It is a powerful device so it needs to be used very judicously, especially if your dog is very nervous.

Click to find out more about the MasterPlus Spray Pro Training System or read reviews of the collar here.

I’ll leave you with a photo taken of Georgie our Retriever wearing her collar. Here she is frolicking in the grass with her boyfriend Teddy, the Labradoodle!

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