Veterinarians and dog experts, why do dogs eat poop or roll in poop or anything stinky and with strong odor? Share one tip to prevent this dog behavior when going out on walks with your furry friend. Share one strategy on how to train step by step to stop your dog doing this. Share one real-life example or/and case studie from experts on this topic.

One simple tip when walking? Keep your dog on a short leash near temptation zones—like the edges of trails, trash bins, or spots where other animals frequent. Distraction is your friend. Bring a high-value treat and redirect the second you see them sniff something questionable. Training strategy? Start with the "leave it" command: Hold a treat in your closed hand. Let them sniff—say "leave it"—and when they pull away, reward them with a treat from your other hand. Practice daily in low-distraction environments first. Once they get it, take it outside. When they veer toward something gross, give the "leave it" command and reward with praise and a better-smelling treat. Consistency is key—don't give mixed signals or laugh when it happens (tempting, I know).

Dogs roll in poop or eat it because, instinctively, strong smells aren't gross to them — they're interesting. Rolling helps them mask their own scent (useful in the wild), and eating poop often comes from stress, boredom, or learned behavior as a puppy. What really works is catching it early. Use a long leash on walks, stay alert, and redirect your dog before they reach the smelly target. A firm "Leave it" or "Let's go" paired with a high-value reward (like real chicken) works way better than just yelling after the fact. One real case: A user of our Hundeo Dog Training App had a Beagle obsessed with horse poop. After one week of structured "Leave it" training using strong-smelling items at home and daily practice outdoors, the dog stopped going for it entirely. The key was timing, consistency, and making the alternative (you + treats) way more rewarding than the poop. It's gross, yes — but totally fixable with the right approach.

Honestly? Because to them, it smells awesome. I know—it's totally gross to us, but dogs experience the world mostly through their nose. That stinky stuff is like a scent explosion.

Dogs may engage in coprophagia (eating poop) or rolling in smelly substances due to instinctual behaviors inherited from their wild ancestors, where such actions helped mask their scent and reclaim nutrients. Additionally, nutritional deficiencies in their diet can drive them to seek out feces, as they instinctively sense potential undigested nutrients. Understanding these motivations can help pet owners manage and prevent these behaviors.