Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Making the trash can become inaccessible or unpleasant for the dog
• Method 2 of 3: Teaching the Dog to Leave
• Method 3 of 3: Teaching Your Dog to Foo Command
• Tips
• Warnings

To your disappointment, the trash can may seem like a bottomless source of culinary delights to your dog. Dogs are very fond of human food, even the one that you throw away. Your pet may be overwhelmed by the very opportunity to show curiosity and rummage through the trash can. Obviously, it is highly undesirable for a dog to behave in this way and feast on leftovers from the trash can. Fortunately, there are a number of powerful steps you can take to convince your dog to stay away from litter.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Making the trash can become inaccessible or unpleasant for the dog

1. 1 Block your dog's trash can. There are several ways you can block your dog's access to the trash can. For example, in the kitchen, you can put a trash can in a locker. If the dog turns out to be smart enough to open the locker, you will have to purchase protective latches for the door handles, which are used to lock cabinets from small children.
   • If there are also trash bins in other rooms of the house, then they can be placed higher (for example, on a dresser) so that the dog simply cannot reach them ..
   • You can also completely block the dog's access to those rooms that have trash cans or baskets. To do this, simply start closing the doors or install children's wickets in doorways.
   • Consider getting a trash can with a lid that your dog just can't open. It is not recommended to purchase a trash can with a pedal, as the dog is able to quickly learn how it works. Try looking at the different models of trash cans from the dog's point of view and see which ones are easiest or hardest to get into.
2. 2 Make the trash can an unpleasant object. It is quite common to correct bad behavior by making it undesirable for the dog itself. One of the methods of such correction is to create unpleasant environmental conditions for the dog.For example, you can purchase special scare devices that need to be placed near the bin to keep the dog away from it. A fairly popular scare device resembling a mousetrap that jumps into the air with a loud click when the dog steps on it.
   • There are also motion-sensing scare devices that are supposed to spray compressed air if a dog walks up to a trash can.
   • In addition, even a special repelling rug has been invented, upon stepping on which, the dog receives a slight electric shock.
   • Unfavorable conditions are the most effective punishment for dogs who are accustomed to checking the owner's litter when the owner is not around.
   • Despite the fact that this type of punishment does not bring any physical injury to the pet, it is not recommended to apply it to shy and nervous dogs. If your dog is shy, a sudden shock, the sound of sprayed air, or a loud clicking sound can make him even more fearful.
3. 3 Feed your dog his fill. The dog can dig through the trash when it is hungry. If you feed your pet several times a day, your dog will be well fed and will not show interest in the leftovers in the trash can. If your dog is on a diet to lose weight, ask your veterinarian to come up with a nutritional plan for your dog that will allow him to be full without gaining excess weight.
   • If you are away from home most of the day and cannot feed your dog during the day, it will be easier to physically restrict your dog's access to litter.
   • Be aware that some dogs do not understand satiety very well and may eat incessantly. Do not give these dogs unlimited access to food, or they may become obese.
4. 4 Provide your dog with physical and mental stress. Even a well-fed dog may want to rummage through the trash out of boredom. From a dog's point of view, various odors from the bin can provide him with interesting entertainment. So that the dog does not get bored, it must necessarily receive sufficient physical activity through walking and active games. If the pet is well trained, then with him you can visit special areas for walking dogs, where he can run and chat with other dogs.
   • Special toys for dogs will help keep your pet busy in your absence.

Method 2 of 3: Teaching the Dog to Leave

1. 1 Clutch a dog treat in your fist. Leave teaches the dog to walk away from the bin. When you have a treat in your fist, your dog will sniff and push your hand with his paw. She may even start barking or whining to beg for a treat. When she finally loses interest in the treat (perhaps after a minute or two), immediately say, "Take it," and give the dog the treat.
   • Every three to four times, just open your palm, say, "Take it," and give the dog the treat. You will need to let your dog know that he should only leave when you tell him, "Leave."
   • Continue practicing until the dog learns to lose interest in the treat on the "leave" command.
2. 2 Train your dog to look at you for a treat. Pinch the treat in your fist and give the dog the "leave" command. Most likely, the dog will no longer push your hand with its paw, but will simply look at you expectantly, hoping to hear the "take" command. As soon as she looks at you, open your palm, immediately give the command "take" and give the treat. You may need to repeat this lesson many times in order for the dog to realize that direct eye contact is a prerequisite for receiving the “take” command.
   • Among other things, looking at the owner distracts the dog's attention from what it would like to eat.
3. 3 Place the treat on the floor. Choose some other treat for placing on the floor that your dog also likes but doesn't like. This treat will serve as a source of temptation (bait). Place the treat on the floor, give the command "leave" and cover it with your palm. Hold your dog's favorite treat in your other hand. When your pet loses interest in the treat hidden under your palm, pick it up off the floor, give the "take" command, and give it back to your favorite treat.
   • The dog should never eat the bait. If this happens, show her a tastier treat that she could get if she obeyed you.
   • Increase the difficulty of the exercise by raising the hand limiting access to the bait 15 cm from the floor. This way, you can check if the dog is able not to touch the bait, even if it is in line of sight and easily accessible.
   • Practice until the dog learns to restrain itself without touching the bait, but instead starts looking at you for the command to "Take."
4. 4 Begin to give the command "Leave" in the event that the dog approaches the trash can. If the dog comes up to the trash can, give the command "Leave". At this stage of training, she should already understand that in this case, in order to receive encouragement, she needs to look at you, and not continue trying to get to forbidden things (whatever lies inside the trash can). Reward your dog with a treat every time it turns away from the bin and looks at you on command.

Method 3 of 3: Teaching Your Dog to Foo Command

1. 1 Clap your hands loudly and give the command "fu". If you find your dog digging in the trash can, clap your hands loudly and at the same time give the command "fu" in a commanding voice. Then, gently grasp the collar and pull it away from the debris. It is very important to give the "fu" command at that very moment, while the dog is still digging in the garbage. If you do this after, for example, when the dog is already eating the leftovers, he will not understand why you are punishing him. Misunderstandings can lead to the dog becoming afraid of you and your punishment.
   • You may need to catch the dog at the scene of the crime several times to clap your hands and give the "fu" command before the pet realizes that it cannot rummage through the trash can.
2. 2 Begin to give the "fu" command without clap. An alternative option for giving the "fu" command is to supplement it with the "to me" command. When the dog approaches you, reward him with a treat. This way, you discourage your pet's bad behavior by distracting it with something more worthy.
   • You may need to repeat this lesson several times when you see the dog heading towards the trash can. In the end, she realizes that moving away from the bin benefits her more than getting closer to it.
3. 3 Place some flavorful food in the bin. If you know what exactly your pet usually crawls into the trash for, place this food on the lid of the trash can. Give the command "fu" and reward the dog if it comes up to you. After a few (or many) repetitions, the dog must learn not to go near the trash can, even if there is something extremely seductive in it.

Tips

• Teach your dog to take no interest in litter from a very young age.
• Do not take prey out of the dog's mouth if you see it chewing on something from the trash can. She will not perceive your actions as punishment, and in the future she will try to quickly swallow food so that you do not have time to take it away.
• Consider using a muzzle as a last resort. Some models of muzzles allow the dog to drink and breathe, but do not allow it to eat, therefore they are a humane means of containment.
• If, despite your best efforts, your dog persists in digging through the trash, try contacting your veterinarian or animal behavior specialist for more advice.

Warnings

• Garbage cans can be spoiled and contain pathogens that can make your dog seriously ill. See your veterinarian if your dog starts to feel nauseous after eating food from the trash can.
• Chicken bones can cause serious damage to your dog's digestive tract, requiring surgery.