Doberman Fixing this problem has almost nothing to do with discipline.
That’s the part most Doberman owners get wrong. They catch their dog in the act, say "no" firmly, maybe redirect, and assume the behavior will fade. It doesn’t. Because coprophagia (the technical term for poop eating) is rarely a behavior problem at its core. It’s almost always a signal. And once you learn to read that signal, the fix becomes a lot more obvious.
The dog isn’t being gross on purpose. The dog is trying to tell you something.
Let’s get into it.
First, Why Do Dobermans Do This?
Their Instincts Are Older Than Their Manners
Dobermans are smart. Deeply, almost unnervingly smart. But underneath all that intelligence is an ancient mammal brain that hasn’t fully caught up with modern life.
Mother dogs eat the feces of their puppies to keep the den clean and to mask scent from predators. It’s hardwired. And some dogs, especially ones who were with large litters or spent extra time in kennels early on, carry that behavior into adulthood without understanding why they’re doing it.
It’s not a moral failing. It’s biology.
Nutritional Deficiency Is a Big One
Here’s where owners often have a genuine lightbulb moment. A dog that regularly eats its own stool or the stool of other animals may be missing something in its diet.
Specifically, look at these potential gaps:
Digestive enzymes. Dobermans can have trouble fully breaking down and absorbing nutrients from their food. When kibble passes through without being properly processed, the stool still contains partially digested material that smells, to the dog, like food.
Vitamin B deficiency. This is one of the most cited nutritional links. B vitamins are essential, and a dog deficient in them may seek them out in unconventional places.
Protein or fat imbalance. If your Dobe isn’t getting enough high quality protein, their body may push them toward compensatory behavior. Gross? Yes. Logical? Also yes.
Boredom and Anxiety Play a Role Too
This is a Doberman specific issue in ways it isn’t for other breeds. These dogs are intense. They need mental and physical stimulation at a level that can catch new owners completely off guard.
A bored Doberman will find something to do. Chewing furniture, pacing, barking, and yes, investigating (and eating) whatever is available in the yard.
A Doberman without a job is a Doberman looking for one. Sometimes that job turns out to be the worst one imaginable.
Separation anxiety can also trigger this behavior, particularly if the dog eats poop when left alone but not when supervised.
Medical Issues You Shouldn’t Ignore
Before you try anything behavioral, rule out the physical causes. Parasites, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), thyroid issues, and Cushing’s disease have all been linked to coprophagia in dogs.
EPI in particular is worth knowing about. It means the pancreas isn’t producing enough digestive enzymes, so food passes through largely undigested. Dogs with EPI are often ravenously hungry despite eating normally, and their stools retain a strong, food-like odor.
If your Doberman is losing weight, seems constantly hungry, or has chronic soft stools alongside this behavior, call your vet before doing anything else.
How to Actually Stop It: A Clear Plan
Okay. Now you have context. Here’s what to do, in order.
Step 1: Schedule a Vet Visit
Start here, not at the pet store, not with home remedies. Get a full panel done. Ask specifically about EPI, parasites, and nutritional deficiencies.
If your vet gives the all clear, now you know you’re working with a behavioral or dietary issue rather than a medical one. That clarity matters.
Step 2: Audit the Food
Not all kibble is equal, and Dobermans are particularly sensitive to food quality. Look at the first five ingredients on your current bag. If corn, soy, or unnamed meat byproducts are in the top tier, consider switching.
What to look for in a better food:
- A named protein source as the first ingredient (chicken, beef, salmon, etc.)
- No artificial preservatives
- Added digestive enzymes or probiotics where possible
- Fat content appropriate for an active, muscular breed
This step alone solves the problem for a significant percentage of dogs.
Step 3: Add Digestive Enzyme Supplements
Even if you’re already feeding a good quality food, some Dobermans simply don’t produce enough digestive enzymes on their own. Adding an enzyme supplement to their meals can dramatically change what their stool smells like to them, which removes much of the appeal.
Papain (from papaya) and bromelain (from pineapple) are two enzymes commonly used for this purpose. There are also commercial products specifically formulated to deter coprophagia; some work better than others, and results vary by dog.
Give it at least three to four weeks before deciding whether it’s working.
Step 4: Add Deterrents Directly to the Diet
Some owners swear by adding small amounts of pineapple, pumpkin, or zucchini to their dog’s meals. The theory is that these foods change the scent or taste of the stool enough to make it unappealing.
It doesn’t work for every dog. But it’s low cost, low risk, and worth trying while you’re sorting out the bigger picture.
Sometimes the answer is embarrassingly simple. Add some pumpkin. Watch the problem disappear. Never tell anyone what fixed it.
Step 5: Environmental Management (The Underrated One)
Pick up immediately. Every time. Without exception.
This is the most boring advice in the article, and also probably the most effective short term tool you have. A dog cannot eat what isn’t there. If you clean the yard before letting your Doberman out, you eliminate the opportunity entirely while you work on the root cause.
This isn’t the permanent solution. It’s the bridge that keeps the habit from getting more deeply ingrained while you address everything else.
Step 6: Rule Out Anxiety and Increase Stimulation
If your vet cleared your dog medically and the food upgrade hasn’t fixed things, look hard at your Doberman’s daily life. How much exercise are they actually getting? Not just a walk around the block but real exercise: running, fetch, structured play, off leash time if safe.
Then look at mental stimulation. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, nose work, and games like "find it" can take the edge off a Doberman’s intensity in ways that physical exercise alone often can’t.
For dogs showing signs of separation anxiety, this is worth addressing with a professional. A certified trainer or veterinary behaviorist can help you build a desensitization plan that actually sticks.
Step 7: Use Taste Deterrent Sprays on Problem Spots
If your Doberman is targeting a specific area of the yard or eating the feces of another household pet, taste deterrent sprays can help break the habit loop. Apply them consistently to the target areas.
This works best when combined with management and diet changes, not as a standalone fix.
A Note on Punishment
Don’t.
Scolding your dog after the fact accomplishes nothing. They do not connect the correction to the act, especially if any time has passed. What they do connect it to is your energy when you discover the mess, which can actually increase anxiety-driven behavior.
Catch, redirect, and reward something else. That’s the whole framework.
What to Expect From the Process
Most owners who work through this systematically see significant improvement within four to eight weeks. Some see it faster, especially if a simple dietary change was the culprit all along.
Be patient with your Doberman. They are not doing this to disgust you. They’re doing it because something in their world, whether physical, nutritional, or emotional, is out of balance.
Fix the imbalance, and most of the time, the behavior fixes itself.