However, this theory is not supported by current research. Dogs are historically scavengers, and this is believed to be a scavenger behavior. Newborn pups must learn to urinate and defecate. The mother teaches the pups by licking their bottoms. Some pups learn this behavior from their mothers and will stimulate themselves and consume their own feces.
Most pups stop by the time they are weaned.
It is more difficult to understand why adult dogs eat feces. Some dogs will learn this behavior from other dogs. In some cases, eating feces may be an attention-seeking behavior. For some dogs it is possibly due to anxiety or boredom. Most often the motivation for eating feces is just not known.