Trash Digger

iluvsophie · 08-03-2007, 08:46 PM

So my little Sophie has gotten into the habit of digging through the trash when I'm away. I have caught her a couple of times when I am home and just give her the stern "NO" and hope that she gets it. But she doesn't. Actually I think she knows shes not supposed to cause she is a smart little dog I just think it's too hard for her to resist. Because when I get home and see the trash I pick it up and she stays away while I'm picking it up like she knows shes been bad. So, does anybody have any tips on breaking this nasty habit?

Cheetah · 08-03-2007, 08:52 PM

Put the trash out of reach so she can't get to it. Out of sight, out of mind.

She doesn't stay away because she knows she's been bad. She stays away, because she knows you're upset at that moment while you're cleaning up the trash, so it's safer to stay away.

FilleBelle · 08-03-2007, 09:10 PM

I'm with Cheetah. We had an Aussie who wouldn't stay out of the trash and it was so easy to just move the trashcan to a place he couldn't get it that we didn't even bother trying to train him out of the habit. Of course, that place was the top of our dryer, which is not very aesthetically pleasing, but still...

You could try changing the type of trashcan, very first thing. I mean, it's easy to get into a little plastic wastebasket. Harder to get into the big metal kind with the foot you have to depress to get the lid to pop open.

skelaki · 08-03-2007, 09:19 PM

Putting the trash up where she can't get it or changing to a different, less accessible can are both good ideas but if you want her to stay out of the trash even if you forget to put it up or don't change cans you need to set her up so that she starts thinking the trash can is "dangerous."

A good way to do this is to purchase some Snappy Traps at your local PetsMart/PetCo. Then loosely fill the trash can with some paper and something that will smell really good to her (such as empty hotdog wrapers). put a couple Snappy Traps in the can with one layer of paper loosely over the traps. When your dog goes to get into the trash she'll set off the traps (they're plastic and won't actually hurt her) and think the trash is trying to bite her. You may have to set her up a few times before she decides the trash can is just too "dangerous" and should be left in peace.

iluvsophie · 08-03-2007, 09:24 PM

Thanks.... I may buy the snappy traps. And yes I have tried putting the trash can up but sometimes I'm running out the door and I forget!

Dakota Spirit · 08-03-2007, 11:34 PM

You can also try restricting her out of the area when you aren’t at home. Use either a gate/fence to block off the area or an x-pen to create a play-pen like area for Sophie to stay in while you are gone.

Cheetah · 08-03-2007, 11:52 PM

They have an awesome baby gate with a little swing door at wal-mart for 30 bucks! I have one for my kitchen. >^_^<

iluvsophie · 08-04-2007, 12:31 AM

Ya I've tried that. She actually jumps really high! So she jumps right over it! lol

Cheetah · 08-04-2007, 12:40 AM

Well then, back to the booby trap/putting trash away idea lol... And there's always an ex-pen with a cover...

FilleBelle · 08-05-2007, 01:15 AM

When I suggested moving the trash can to a place your dog can't reach it, I actually meant moving it permanently, not just when you leave the house. Of course, that only works if you have a place to move it to, lol.

Puppy_love_122 · 08-05-2007, 07:59 PM

When I leave I have to close all bedroom and bathroom doors to prevent "dumpster diving" we keep our trashcan in the panrty and keep the door shut to keep the dogs out too. You could get a trashcan like this with a built in lid. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5903165

LoveLilly · 08-06-2007, 03:35 PM

All our trashcans have swing or pop up lids to keep Lilly and her cohorts in trash crime (the cats) out of them. It works like a charm.

Dakota Spirit · 08-06-2007, 04:36 PM

You could also try putting baby locks on all the cabnets that contain things you don't want her getting into.

Durbkat · 08-06-2007, 09:03 PM

I know people that put their trash cans under the sink or in their garage, its connected to the house, to keep their dogs out of it. A more expensive option would be to get a scat mat and sit the trash can on it so if your dog steps around the trash can she will get shocked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheetah

They have an awesome baby gate with a little swing door at wal-mart for 30 bucks! I have one for my kitchen. >^_^<

Oh, you mean this? lol
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=4407777