A new trash can is not an option....our kitchen is small and we had a heck of a time finding a can to fit in the tiny slot that we have. Also...she's not ripping it apart like to get attention when we leave or anything, she's simply sticking her snout in there and eating whatever looks good.
2007-03-12 02:30:01 · 14 answers · asked by autumn 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
my dog always has food in her bowl.
She is a german shepard mix
2007-03-12 03:31:03 · update #1
Scold scold scold.... i had the same problem and we just scolded him and now he wont get into the trash. Good luck
2007-03-15 17:19:50 · answer #1 · answered by piggylover_850 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every time she finds something good in there, it reinforces the bad behavior. This is a real problem since dogs can get very sick or hurt by rummaging around through spoiled trask and garbage. You absolutely have to stop reinforcing her, so only have two real options.
1. Put the garbage can out of reach. On top of the counter or the refrigerator or inside a locked cabinet. You said there is not room for a large heavy can, but maybe placing it on the fridge will help. This reduces the chance that she'll find something tasty in there.
2. Crate her when you are not there to watch her, especially while you are at work or asleep. This is the best solution since it keeps the dog safe and comfortable when you are not there to protect her from herself.
Now my mother was having trouble with her dog counter surfing. She took mouse traps and rigged them UPSIDE DOWN on the counter with a cookie sheet over the top. When her dog hit the cookie sheet, the traps would snap making a loud crash and throwing the cookie sheet at her face. It is important to note that the dog was safely protected from getting snapped because the traps were placed upside down and with a cookie sheet on top. The benefit was that the dog was frightened by the ruckus and stopped counter surfing. The added benefit was that she learned the mousetraps are SCARY. After that, my mother could catch a sprung mousetrap on the edge of the trash can and the dog would stay away as if the mousetrap was fully loaded and lethal. Scaring your dog is not an ideal solution, but if nothing else works, you gotta do what you gotta do. It may be better to scare the dog once than to injure her with spoiled or sharp trash.
Given the choice, though, the crate is the single best thing you can do for your dog.
2007-03-12 02:48:14 · answer #2 · answered by Robin D 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I had this same problem with my German Shepherd. This may sound bad but if you do it right it will work. I don't know what breed of dog you have so I don't recomend this for small breeds. Set a mouse trap and place it under something good in the trash can and let it sit. When your dog sticks it's nose in there it will snap and the dog will think the trash can bites. If you place it right your pup will not get injured and the effects will last a life time. Good Luck.
2007-03-12 02:37:58 · answer #3 · answered by Barbra W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ah, sounds like my old Cocker Spaniel. I'd come home to find half of her buried in the trash can, the other half (with the tail vigorously wagging) sticking out.
If you can find a cover for the trash can you've got, that would help. I had to hide mine under the sink and put a baby lock on the door so she couldn't get in.
You could also try sprinkling red pepper on top of the trash to see if that's "hot" enough to deter her.
2007-03-12 03:40:04 · answer #4 · answered by sonofstar 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had the same problem and tried everything ,we found that if you take a little lemon juice ( 1 part lemon juice 2 parts water )and sprayed the trash can with it every so often i.e like when you put something in it a little spray worked pretty good dogs don't like the citrine or the acid so a couple times of sticking his nose in there and he will figure out that he doesn't like that anymore its not harmful to your dog all natural and will leave the trash can with a nice lemon fresh scent :)
2007-03-12 02:38:23 · answer #5 · answered by sarah l 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Autumn,
I heard on a TV show one day that if you want to keep puppies and cats off of furniture you should use a perfume. The odor evidentally drives their nose crazy and they stay away from it. I would use some around the area and in the top of the can for a short time and see how it works. Use a cheap one from a dollar general store or some cheap brand that is available locally. Let me know if this works please. Have a great day!
Eds
2007-03-12 02:36:49 · answer #6 · answered by Eds 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Puppies are like babies....you have to "baby proof" your home. I would suggest crate training the puppy. By this I mean, while you are away,sleeping or unable to watch the puppy, put her in her crate. Just remember that it would be unfair to leave the puppy in the crate too long. She will need to be let outside frequently. Crate training is how I house broke my puppy. I also use the crate when she gets a little wild and decides to chew up furniture or other bad puppy behavior! I like the idea below...put the trash can under a cabinet. Good luck!
2007-03-12 02:45:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Make a lid or block off the kitchen with a baby gate.
Try spraying bitter apple on the can and around the can.
Take trash out everytime you leave her alone.
Good luck.
2007-03-12 02:36:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If she is getting in the trash to eat then you not feeding her enough. Try feeding her more.. if the can is small as you say then stick it under the sink out of her way. I have never had a dog get into my trash.. but then again I always have food out for them.
***adding to this****
If you have food out..then I guess you just need to put up the trash can..I guess I have always been lucky on my dogs not getting into my trash. Dogs..... you got to love them lol
2007-03-12 02:52:44 · answer #9 · answered by china 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Dogs are like children.....leave candy on the table and they think it's for them and will eat it. They have the mentality of a human 3yr old.
You have to take these free snacks away.
Make the can unaccessable.....stop expecting your dog to
think or behave beyond it's capability.
2007-03-12 02:57:32 · answer #10 · answered by akuna_kumara 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋