Why do dogs dig through the garbage and how can I get my dog to stop?

Question

My dog has been continuously going through the garbage even after I have fed her. She used to do this when I adopted her (four years ago) but stopped since then until now. I don't understand why and want to make her stop without getting too drastic.

Answer 1

Put it outside in a secure container.

I have Bloodhounds who dumpster dive like it is their job.

Answer 2

All the other answers lead to you altering your life because your dog lacks discipline. Garbage digging was by far the hardest habit to break my dog of, but it is possible. The punishments got pretty severe before it stopped. Dogs really like to dig in the garbage, so the punishment has to be severe enough that the garbage isn't worth the consequences. In my case my dog was already 45 pounds when he started this and my hand wasn't enough to make him stop, so that gives you an idea how much he liked it.

Answer 3

Try replacing wastebaskets in your house with lidded garbage cans. This makes it more difficult to get to the garbage, although some dogs merely knock it over and remove the lid.

If the above doesn't work or if you prefer teaching to prevention of the problem then the following is another method to try. Leave your open garbage cans in easy reach of your dog and sprinkle Cayenne Pepper ontop of the trash. Usually once or twice is enough to keep your dog from getting into the trash. This can also be done with Tabasco sauce which in some cases is more affective.

Another useful way is to fill your indoor trash can with things such as paper balls, toilet tissue, and other papers. Make sure the paper does not have any special tastes or smells the dog would be enterested in. When the dog knocks the can over, he will find there is nothing interesting in there so he wont try anymore.

When using the second method, make sure that your dog has a good supply of water available for him so that he can rid himself of the burning sensation. If he scratches or rubs at his nose or eyes, try to remove any residue of cayenne from him with a damp cloth. The idea is to teach him - not cause him undue pain.

Answer 4

Put the trash where she can't get it. It smells good and makes a great desert. Might also be a good time to teach her a command called "leave it" which means you may never have it.

Put some trash on the ground and a cookie (or some other high value treat) in your hand. Put the dog on a leash and when she goes for the trash say leave it. When she looks away from it, pop the cookie or treat in her mouth. After a couple of times you can walk her past the trash and she should look in the opposite direction as if to say "I didn't see anything."

Answer 5

Guess what I fed my dog well and she still wanted to fish in the trash. So what did I do, hide the trash can in a pantry.

One day I got some egg roles and put on the kitchen counter then ran out of the house to get an item in my car.
By the time I can back in the house the dog snatched my egg rolls off the kitchen counter. She was a German Shepard.

No harm done, but they do like to explore and take advantage of the situtation.

Answer 6

Yes, raising the garbage, closing the door of the room it's in, putting it out of reach, you'll need to do these things - especially if you are not going to be home. She'll probably forget it again given time, but maybe not. My husky is 7 and she was horrible when I rescued her, and has gone through phases since then - but she always stops again after removing the garbage from her reach for a few days.

Answer 7

I've basicaly had to raise my garbage, (especially the bathroom can) above my dog. My dog is a Terrier mix so he's kinda low to he ground. He like to get into the garbage too much, especially when it's a special time of month for me. He's gross. So I have to raise it. If you have a larger dog that has a higher reach, you may want to consider a type of container that has a locking lid on it or a lid where you can fasten it somehow to keep you rpooch out.

Answer 8

Garbage smells great to a dog's nose. It's got all these complicated scents mixed together & is fun for them to investigate. You'll need to start putting your trash where the dog can't get to it or smell it. We use a Simple Human cylinder trashcan with a step-on lid control. The dogs quit trying to get into the kitchen trash once we did this.

Answer 9

I have a trash dog too. She is 5 and will still to this day get in the trash. She can't help herself. I have tried everything and just came to the conclusion she will always get in the trash. When she does I blame myself now for not putting it up or having the lid down with something stacked on it!
She has eaten several things that make me worry.. like the blood bags in meat packages.. but so far has always passed them with no problems. I keep my trash up when I am not around. The best thing to do is to find a cupboard or closet to put it in.

Answer 10

There is a product available which works on radio signal... the dog wears a collar sensitive to a disk which is placed on whatever object you want the dog to stay away from, which then omits a signal (ultrasonic I think..) the dog doesn't like. It's not cheap at Aus $175 for the set, but you can use it for other places as well. It works on a 3m diameter. Check out the link below for more info.. we looked at their products for a range of things, but have not tried any so far :-)

Answer 11

Ha Ha Ha - my dog does the same :-) She is just looking and smelling for yummy things. A dog will never eat 'too much' the bin is full of smelly great things she would not normally have, she is just being a dog. The best way to stop it is to just keep it out of her reach !!