How to Stop Your Dog From Getting Into Your Trash
It will eventually happen—your dog will attempt to or actually raid your trash can. While it’s annoying and gross, it makes total sense from your dog’s perspective. It’s a buffet in there! Unfortunately, dogs don’t understand that eating trash can make them really sick. Check out these foolproof and easy tips to stop your dog from getting into your trash.
Purchase a Trash Can With a Heavy Lid
You can certainly spend hours teaching your dog to leave a trash can alone, or you can purchase a trash can with a heavy lid. Honestly, purchasing a lidded trash can is a quick and extremely effective solution. It’s not fancy, but it stops your dog from getting into your trash!
A Little Story About Management
Let me tell you a little story about managing a dog’s environment. Years ago, I arrived at a client’s home for a private lesson. Before I was hired, this client spent thousands of dollars trying to teach his yellow Lab not to chew remote controls, yet it continued to happen. During our first consultation, I sat quietly for 30 minutes while my client explained that nothing was working. Clearly, this client was upset and his poor Lab was totally confused.
Finally, my client asked, “How would you fix my dog?” This was my cue to chime in. I politely and delicately suggested placing all remote controls inside a lidded box and keeping the box on the coffee table.
There was a long pause, and I held my breath. Did I offend my client? He sat down and began to laugh. After another long pause, he said, “Wow, I never thought of that. That would work.” Whew, and from then on, all remote controls were safe and my client’s yellow Lab lived a very happy life. Plus, the issue was solved within an hour!
RELATED: 4 Tips to Make Working From Home With Dogs Easier
Choosing a Lidded Trash Can
This is the most important step. I recommend purchasing a trash can with a heavy lid. You can tell when a lid is heavy when there’s a clanging sound upon the closing of the lid. Not all trash can lids are the same. It’s best to choose a smooth-edged heavy lidded trash can. That way the trash can is securely sealed. Even a tiny lip can easily be opened by your dog’s nose.
Put the Trash Can in a Cabinet
Dogs are super smart. When dogs practice a behavior for a long time, they get really good at it. If your dog has learned how to lift a heavy trash can lid, knock it over to open it or bump it just right, then try this tip.
Place your trash can behind a bathroom or kitchen cabinet. If your dog knows how to open your kitchen cabinet, place child locks or straps to ensure cabinet doors remain closed. Now, I’ve only seen this happen a couple of times, and both times these dogs were completely bored and left alone all day.
Will This Really Stop My Dog?
Yes, using a heavy lidded trash can really does stop your dog from getting into your trash. Rarely am I able to make suggestions that work this quickly. By taking these preventative measures, your dog will stop getting into your trash can. Imagine if your ice maker stops producing ice. You’ll keep trying to get ice from it until you learn it’s no longer working. And if you decide not to fix your ice maker, you learn to adapt your life around it. 🙂 It’s that simple!
