5 Tidy Tips to Keep Your Dog Out of the Trash

When you throw something in the trash, it is usually because it is no longer useful or because it got bad. However, you might think that littering will be a stinking and disgusting treat for your dog. If your dog accidentally falls into something poisonous, your dog will not only be confused, but also very dangerous. Keep reading to learn some simple tips and training sequence to keep your dog out of the trash. 

Practical Tips to Keep Your Dog Out Of the Trash 

The easiest way to keep your dog out of the trash is to put the trash somewhere where he can’t reach it. Keeping the trash can in a cupboard under the sink is a great way to prevent your dog from accessing it. If you don’t have a closet large enough to fit in the trash can, replace it with dog proof trash can, which has a tight lid. Many dog owners have found that smart trash can is very effective because the lid closes on its own. 

Teaching Your Dog a “Leave It” Command 

In addition to employing the simple tips listed above to prevent your dog from getting in the trash, you may also want to consider teaching him how to respond to a “Leave It” command. This command can be used to prevent your dog from doing something you don’t want him to do, including getting in the trash. Here is a simple training sequence to teach your dog this command: 

• Squeeze a treat between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand and kneel or sit in front of your dog with your outstretched hand. 
• Wait for your dog to become aware of the treat and as soon as he goes, say “Leave It” and close his hand on a fist and then turn it upside down. 
• Let your dog sniff your hand and try to catch the treat by watching his eyes. When his eyes move away from your hand, tell him “Good” and give him the treat. 
• Keep repeating this training sequence until your dog learns to associate the “Leave It” command with the desired behavior, so you can try it with toys or other things instead of treats. 

As with any training, teaching your dog to stop rummaging can take a little time and a lot of patience. When training your dog, it is important that you do not punish him for bad behavior, or so it may have a negative impact on your relationship. The best thing to do during training is to keep things fun and consistently reward good behavior. Besides, don’t miss the guide on how to keep maggots out of trash can.