One of the most frustrating behavioral problems families with dogs face is chewing. All puppies go through a period of chewing, especially when teething, around four to six (4 to 6) months of age. Chewing can be controlled, redirected, and modified through exercise, playtime, alternative chew toys, and increased time together. In addition to aiding in housetraining, a crate or playard is also helpful in reducing the chance of chewing your furniture when you’re not home or can’t keep your eyes on your dog. My favorite for puppies going through teething is soaking with water and freezing a braided chew toy.
In its extreme 
form, “Pica,” defined as a medical disorder, is an appetite for largely non-nutritive substances (e.g., coal, soil, feces, chalk, paper, soap, ash, etc. The shocking part is that this definition pertains to humans. With that in mind, imagine what a dog will consume. Because Pica is a medical disorder, your veterinarian should diagnose, rule out, or treat it.
Coprophagia is even more frustrating and upsetting than a dog eating my favorite pair of Jimmy Choo shoes. (Pun intended) The nicest way to define coprophagia is to say that it is the consumption of poop. There are many reasons for this obsession with one’s waste, including but not limited to medical problems, nutritional needs, poorly digestible diet, boredom, curiosity, an attempt to clean up a soiled area to avoid punishment, a learned behavior from the dog’s mother or something as simple as hunger.
My experience with dogs that show signs of coprophagia is that most of them have been confined to small kennels for extended periods, usually in pet shops or overcrowded breeders, where they are forced to eat, drink, sleep, play, defecate, and urinate in the same small enclosure. Some dogs will also eat cat poop out of the litter box. I know it’s one of those “easier said than done” situations, but preventing your dog’s access to litter boxes and immediately cleaning up after your dog does his business is a good start in the right direction. Dogs that exhibit any desire to eat their stool should be leash-walked. Many over-the-counter coprophagia deterrents can offer to help correct this unwanted behavior. Talk to your veterinarian before seeking any products that may be harmful to your dog.
