throw some pepper on it... lol... Seriously I would keep a eye on your dog and if he goes to eat the sh.. then spray him with some water so he knows that it is bad and he will be punished if he trys to do it. I dont condone physical abuse but definitely get your point accross someway.

Mike !
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Sand would just make your garden more attractive to the cats.

If you watch your dog when it's outside, you can train it to not eat the feces if you correct it after it's spotted it. Walking your dog on leash in your garden may provide the opportunity to curb the behavior. Remember that you need to catch the dog in the act (or thinking of the act immediately beforehand) for any correction to be effective. Punishing the dog after the fact will just confuse it.

There are a variety of chemicals you can spray on the cat feces to make them less attractive, but this won't change the behavior, as the dog will likely eat any uncontaminated ones it can find.
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My dog usually eats her own poo poo when she's bored. Try taking your dog for a walk. Sometimes a change of scenery will do them a world of good.

You might also try visiting your local pet store and asking them about training supplies or ask their advice on the situation.

I have a cat as well. She poops inside in the litter box. Maybe that's what you should do. My vet's technician also told me that a cat's lifespan increases dramatically when they are kept strictly indoors.

If all else fails, I'm not sure about your ethical opinions of a shock collar or electrical fence, but those may be options as well.
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I actually came across an item for this particular problem in the recent Doctors Foster and Smith catalog (pet products company). They have a product called For-Bid that you can use on cats or dogs. You get packets of powder that you sprinkle on food (has to be given to animal that is depositing the poo) to make it unpalatable for the dog.
Source(s):
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=595

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If dogs are eating poo it is a sign of a dog not getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals. Suppliment your dogs diet to take care of the problem. Until that takes care of the problem, sprinkle the poo with crushed red pepper. It is not harmful for the dog but will keep him from eating it.
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You could put a fence around the garden which would solve the problen. Of course the cats would just do it somewhere else. The cats must not be doing a good job of covering it up, unless the dog digs for the special treat.
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