How do I get my dogs to stop getting in my trash can?
Lindsay asked:
I have two dogs one is 3 the other is 2 1/2 both get plenty love and attention lots of toys and a full dog bowl of food and water. Lately every time I leave home they get in the trash and make a huge mess. Any ideas on why the sudden bad behavior from otherwise very well-behaved dogs? And how do I make them stop?
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I have two dogs one is 3 the other is 2 1/2 both get plenty love and attention lots of toys and a full dog bowl of food and water. Lately every time I leave home they get in the trash and make a huge mess. Any ideas on why the sudden bad behavior from otherwise very well-behaved dogs? And how do I make them stop?
February 25th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Uh, put it where they can’t get to it, and/or crate them while you’re gone so they can’t be destructive because they’re bored?
February 25th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Get a tall trash can with a lid.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Put the garbage can up where they are not able to get into it. We had this problem too…took care of it right away…I would suggest doing it soon too because dogs can die from things that they get into in the trash…
February 28th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
its very simple. first u pick up the garbage can. second u go to a room with a door that closes and latches shut. next u set the garbage can down. then u leave the room. now here is the most complicated part. u shut the door
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 am
Dogs have crazy days just like us….just put the trash up some where or take it out before you leave..
March 2nd, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Put the trash out of their reach
March 5th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Put the trash can in the garage or in a closet while you’re out. Or make sure the can has a lock or seal on it (a childproof lock would probably work). The dogs are still pretty young, so they may need more activity during the day, may be bored.
March 7th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
I would use a crate while you are not home. Crates work great when used properly and the dogs know that is thier own place.
March 8th, 2009 at 6:57 am
You either have to prevent the dog from getting to the trash or you have to be able to correct them each and every time they get into it. Each time they successfully get into the trash they are being rewarded, which makes it tougher to break the habit.
Since they do it when you are not home you’ll need to set them up to fail. A good way to do this is to put some snappy traps in the trash on top of the “goodies” so that when they go to get into the trash they set off the traps and think the trash can is “biting” them.
Or, use prevention and put the trash cans up where they can’t get to them.
March 8th, 2009 at 7:48 am
They are acting out because you are leaving them. If you don’t have a garbage can with a lid get one. You can put ammonia in the trash the smell will make them leave it alone and will not hurt them. Cayenne pepper also works
March 11th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
Put the trash in a cabinet with a baby-lock on it.
March 13th, 2009 at 8:42 am
I found that both of my dogs got bored during the day and would chew on anything they could or get into the trash, we solved the problem by putting them in a crate when we leave the house and go to bed, providing them with a comfy bed and make sure they always have a bone or raw hide to chew on, they always choose those over the trash.
March 14th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
although all those other answers are givens, but you have obviously set up your house the way you want it, regardless of the dogs and cats running around. you can go to petsmart and get this stuff called bitter spray. you spray it on anything you don’t want the dogs to chew on, and they taste it…and believe me, it tastes gross, and it doesn’t wear off, it’s a lingering taste in ur mouth, but, it works! did with my dogs.
March 17th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Uh, put the trash where they can’t get it! Or try using trash cans that they can’t get into.
March 19th, 2009 at 6:22 am
One dog might get into mischief from sheer bordom (let’s face it… one’s man’s trash is another dog’s treasure!) and two or more dogs are bound to go looking for excitement where ever they can find it. Their “doggie” personalities are different when you aren’t around. You may try moving your trashcan to another room that you can close off. Or put the trashcan under one of your kitchen sink cabinet. As long as there are food scents coming from the bag, they are going to be drawn to it.
March 19th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Pepper discourages them.
March 21st, 2009 at 7:27 am
Dogs can smell food inside the garbage can, and they go for it. Mine started doing this thanks to a roommate who would always toss rests of food.
What I do is, every time I see her (mine is a she) smelling the garbage can, I tell her not to do it, so it’s clear it’s a no no.
However, the solution I found was nothing special, I put the can on a higher place, where she can’t reach, anytime I need to leave her by herself.
March 22nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
watch them carefully when you are at home. when you notice them getting near to the trash, make a really loud sound to distract them. Do it every time they get around there so they’ll get it set in their mind that going near that thing means bad business! also, spray it with Bitter Apple (can be bought in any pet store). Only 1 out of 10 dogs will actually like the smell. hopefully yours won’t be one of them.
also, the silent punishment works just as well. it’s not really punishment. when they get near the trash, throw something small (like a hacky sack) their way. just don’t let them see you throw it, so they can’t connect you to it and they’ll still love you :]
best of luck!
March 26th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I have 3 dogs and foster up to 5 more at any given time. I have never had this problem but I crate all when I am not home. When I have a problem with them like this I spray it with Bitter Apple from PetsMart. Must taste real bad cause they don’t like it.
March 28th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
We decided to make our life easy, we place our trash can under the sink in the cabinet. You will not be able to correct this unless you can catch them doing it, there’s really no other way. As they only do it when you’re not home then don’t sweat the small stuff, make something easy since it can be and put the trash where they can’t get it. Also a word of warning! My sister refused to remove her trash (no matter how many times I warned her) and her dog ended up dead. Don’t be like my sister!
P.S. Don’t be surprised if the Bitter Apple doesn’t work. It might, but I swear one of my dogs actually liked it LOL
March 31st, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Get a smaller can or a can that will just fit inside your kitchen cabinets. You could even secure the doors together and hey it also looks better not having a can of garbage visible in your house . This is what I do. I don’t have one of those useless small ones that attaches to the door but an actual plastic container that fits nicely inside so I still have alot of space for garbage but it is not visible and it does’t smell your house up.
April 1st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
hook the can up to 120 volts, they will get in the trash only once, you may have to have them groomed after