Keeping a dog out of the trash ?

[Pacing_Mare]

We had this problem when we first got her. And it stopped and now she’s at it again.

No matter where we put it or what we do if you turn your back she’s into the trash. She’s 3 now. We’ve changed her food likes this one better we’ve given her more. Give her tons of toys and chew toys. Now it’s gotten to the point she’s always locked in her crate. Now even when we sleep we don’t want to wake up to find trash everywhere.

I left for maybe 20mins yesterday didn’t even think. Yep trash everywhere. My S/O hates crating her all the time. I told him if you are not watching her she will get into it. You MUST have eyes on her 24-7. Sure, sure what does he do? Falls asleep and guess what?

I have no idea anymore with what to do besides crating her all the time when were gone or asleep. She was fine for 8 months and now the problems back.

[S1969]

We switched to a good stainless trash can (cylindrical) with the foot pedal. I suppose if my dog had wanted to he could knock the whole thing over, but he never tried that. He never got into the garbage once we got the metal can.

Prior to that we had a plastic one with a hinged lid, and he could get his nose under the edge and just lift it up and see if anything yummy was on top. Excellent reinforcement to try again!

[GoForAGallop]

[QUOTE=S1969;5857071]
We switched to a good stainless trash can (cylindrical) with the foot pedal. I suppose if my dog had wanted to he could knock the whole thing over, but he never tried that. He never got into the garbage once we got the metal can.

Prior to that we had a plastic one with a hinged lid, and he could get his nose under the edge and just lift it up and see if anything yummy was on top. Excellent reinforcement to try again! :)[/QUOTE]

Yeah, seriously. There is no reason that you need to crate the poor thing so much when it’ll cost you $50 to get a new heavy duty trash can that she can’t get into.

Or put a smaller one under the sink/somewhere enclosed. Yes, you’ll have to take the trash out more often, but again, seems like the happiness of the dog should come first.

Or put a baby gate up and just keep her out of the kitchen completely, if the layout of your house makes that feasible.

[frisky]

Where are you putting the trash can? It’s unfair to ask a dog not to get in the trash! Punishing a dog by leaving her crated because of the trash is bad on you. I have one dog who doesn’t counter surf or dig through the trash, but she’s amazingly dumb.

I keep the trash in a cabinet under the sink. Every now and again, I leave the trash unguarded or the door ajar and it’s dispersed throughout the house. My smart dog (age: 13) will drag the bag back to her crate/lair.

My old dog needed child-proof locks. Maybe a freestanding trash can. I leave the dog food in a metal can and my dog leaves it alone (unless I leave the lid off!). Most dogs live for the trash can, so you need to think outside the box.

[OTV]

Yep, keep the trash away from her. Everytime she gets into the garbage, she ‘self-rewards’, just like with counter surfers. Either get a trash can that has a snapping lid, or put it under the sink, and don’t leave trash bags out. It’s pretty unfair to leave the garbage in an accessible place and expect her not to get into it. It smells good to her, she knows she can find good things in there…and no ones around to correct her if she’s doing it when you’re gone or asleep. It’d be like putting a bucket of feed within reach of your horse and expecting it to be left untouched. Correcting afterwards (not sure if you are or not) is pointless. Be proactive instead of reactive. Put it away and problem solved.

[Simkie]

I have one like this, and it’s pretty much dog proof.

http://www.kitchensource.com/trash/saf-ktr2043.htm

[Lone]

I have a trash can similar to this (same brand, but mine is a rectangle) it has a latch on the top that can be closed to make it dog-proof. I’ve had it for several years and it’s very durable! Several times after we got it I’d come home to find the garbage can on it’s side on the other side of the kitchen from where my dog had tried to get into it and it’s still in good shape!

[Tegan]

I have a fantastic trashcan holder that I picked up last year at a fair. It’s made from some woodworker and artist couple in North Carolina, I believe. They had all different kinds of designs, and the front paintings are interchangeable.

Unfortunately I don’t know where else to get one, so my advice is kind of useless. The logo on the painting looks like “Amith” but it’s hard to read. I remember it being very reasonably priced, although shipping would probably be rough.

http://i56.tinypic.com/3486n10.jpg

[vtdobes]

The solution is very simple. Since the dog has proven untrustworthy around the garbage (I can’t image a dog that isn’t frankly) you simple remove the garbage from the dog. Put it under the sink, in a closet, on the back/front porch, lock it up, etc.

Simple. Problem solved.

[AlmostDun]

Put the garbage can in the crate so you can leave the dog out?

[Marshfield]

The Rubbermaid pet food storage containers are the only things which are GSP proof. Snap lid. I bought an extra one. The garbage container (regular 30 gallon kitchen one) sits inside nicely. No garbage strewn about.

[vtdobes]

[QUOTE=carp;5857406]
Put the garbage can in the crate so you can leave the dog out? :D[/QUOTE]

Brilliant!!!

[JB]

Agree with the others - remove the trash can from the equation.

[MunchkinsMom]

We have a dog-proof trash can that has a push lever at the top and then the top pops open. Sorry, I don’t know the brand name, it is metal.

Then we got a trash compactor - even better.