How to Prevent Your Dog From Making Garbage Raids

Dogs love to find great stuff in the trash! It's kind of like hunting: there's the element of surprise, and a sense of accomplishment when a particularly tasty morsel is retrieved! Plus, there is the joy of dismembering challenging quarry, such as pizza boxes and Styrofoam take out containers!

Here are seven tips to help you keep your dog out of your trash can.

1. Be sure your dog is well fed. If your dog is not hungry, he will have one less reason to look for food. However, bear in mind that most dogs think rummaging around in the trash is grand fun, so just feeding him well will not solve the problem altogether.

2. Be sure your dog has plenty of interesting toys of his own to play with. If your dog is entertained and occupied, he will have another reason not to get into your trash can.

3. Get a sturdy trash can. Buy a can that has a well-fitted lid that does not come off at the touch of a snout.

4. Take your household trash out daily. If your trash cans and wastebaskets are empty, there will not be a reason to play with them.

5. Put compostable trash in a separate container out of your dog's reach. Either dispose of it or bury it in your compost heap right away. If you don't have a compost heap and/or you don't want to put it in your outdoor trash because of ants, stray dogs, wildlife, and so on, keep it in a separate container in your freezer until trash day.

6. If your dog gets into the trash while you are at home, tell him "No!" firmly and redirect him to his own toys and food dish.

7. Consistently crate your dog when you are out so that you will not have to worry about trash raids or damage to your home at all. Even a well-behaved dog can get carried away while playing, and you could come home to tremendous damage if you don't crate your dog.

For more about dog training and behavior, you may enjoy:

Canine Separation Anxiety: What is It? What Can You Do?
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2070475/canine_separation_anxiety_what_is_it.html?cat=53

The Right Dog Bed Gives Your Best Friend a Lot of Advantages
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2032254/the_right_dog_bed_gives_your_best_friend.html?cat=53

How to Have a Happy, Healthy, Well-Adjusted Dog
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2024716/how_to_have_a_happy_healthy_welladjusted.html?cat=53