Stopping both puppies from eating their poop.

It's a pretty common (and understandably gross) concern, especially with young dogs! The behavior even has a clinical name — coprophagia (basically just means eating feces) — and it shows up fairly often in puppies. The good news is that many dogs grow out of it, and there are some practical steps you can take in the meantime.

Why puppies do this
There's no single cause, but common reasons include:
- Curiosity and exploration (puppies investigate the world with their mouths)
- Boredom or under-stimulation
- Wanting attention (even negative reactions from you can reinforce it)
- Nutritional factors — though this is less common than people think
- Simply learning the habit from another dog in the household

With two puppies together, they can absolutely pick up and reinforce the behavior from each other, so it's worth addressing sooner rather than later.

Practical steps to try at home
- Clean up immediately. The fastest fix is removing the opportunity — pick up waste right away so it's not available to eat.
- Supervise outdoor time. Keep both pups on leash or stay close so you can redirect them the moment they show interest.
- Teach a "leave it" cue. This is one of the most useful things you can train a young dog. Reward heavily when they turn away from feces and look at you instead.
- Keep them mentally and physically busy. A tired, stimulated puppy is less likely to get into trouble. Puzzle feeders, training sessions, and appropriate chew toys all help.
- Review their diet. Make sure both pups are eating a complete, age-appropriate food in the right amounts for their size. A 7-month-old Cane Corso is a large-breed puppy with specific nutritional needs — your vet can confirm you're on the right track.

There are also some food additives marketed to make feces less appealing, but results are mixed and it's worth asking your vet before adding anything to their diet.

When to see your vet:
Schedule a visit if:
- Either puppy is losing weight, seems lethargic, or has digestive upset (vomiting, diarrhea, soft stools)
- The behavior is happening very frequently or seems compulsive
- It continues past about 6 months of consistent management
- You notice either pup eating non-food items in general (this can signal a broader issue worth checking out)

Since Hemi is already 7 months old and you have two dogs reinforcing each other, it's a great idea to bring it up at your next routine vet visit even if nothing else seems wrong — they can rule out any nutritional gaps and give you personalized guidance for both pups.