Got A Dog Garbage Can Invader? Tips For Keeping Your Dog Out Of The Trash

If you have ever returned home to find your trash can knocked over and your trash strung all over your kitchen, it may be time to get a dog proof trash can.

Having dog garbage strung all over your house is no fun.

A good trash can will keep the garbage in its place and keep your dog safe at the same time. No kidding. While rummaging through the trash, your dog could swallow something that his harmful to him.

Of course, that depends on what you’ve thrown into your trash can.

If you recently broke a light bulb, that broken glass could seriously hurt your dog.
If you threw away a piece of gum, there’s a good chance it has Xylitol in it. That alone can kill your dog.

Where To Hide The Trash Cans

When we got our 2 Min Pins, we were already dealing with a cat that loved to get into our trash cans and drag trash throughout the house.

So our bathroom trash was already put away under the bathroom sink. Our kitchen trash can has always had a lid. Since my dogs are so small, they’ve never been able to get into that tall kitchen trash can anyway.

Lucky for us, we have not had to deal with dog garbage all over our house. However, when I went to visit my aunt and took my oldest dog with me, she managed to get into the bathroom trash there! After that, we made sure the trash was on top of the sink at all times.

If you’re not ready to get a dog-proof trash can just yet, you could always try hiding your trash can. Just know that some dogs are persistent, and once they’ve had their first dog garbage episode (like when they’re home alone), then they may do anything in their power to make their way into that trash can again — no matter where you try to hide it!

A few good spots to try hiding the trash can are:

under the sink
inside a cabinet
behind the pantry door
on the back porch

More Tips For Dealing With Dog Garbage Can Invaders

Here are a few more great tips from dog owners who’ve found ways to deal with their dogs getting into the garbage:

Set your dog up to fail. The idea is to catch your dog in the act, so he sees you while he’s invading the garbage. If he always does it when you’re not there, then he hasn’t learned not to do it at the moment that he’s got the urge.
Try cayenne pepper or other dog adversives that put a bad taste in his mouth. Your dog will associate the bad taste with the act of invading the trash can.
Depending on the size and style of your trash can, you could use things like bungee cords or velcro to keep the lid shut.
Trash cans with a pedal that you have to step on to open are another option.
Try various "magic surprises" until you find the one that works best for your dog. A magic surprise is something that completely freaks your dog out — like something jumping out of the trash can or a loud noise or buzzer going off. Think of it as a booby trap!
Pour a little bit of ammonia into the trash can. No one, not even dogs, can stand the smell of ammonia!
Place a baby gate at the entrance to the room which contains the trash can.
Try to use up more of your dog’s energy with extra walks and/or by giving your dog something constructive to do when you’re not home.

About Carrie

I have 2 Miniature Pinschers. My husband and I consider them our 4-legged kids.

Molly
What do you do when you have a 140 lb dog who has figured out how to scratch open and break trash cabinets, doesn’t mind the sour apple/cayenne, is big enough to knock over the huge outdoor trashcans, is use to the alarms and goes right through them, and has now has upgraded to getting in the trash (not only when you are gone but) when you are sleeping???
- FunTimesGuide
  I don’t think there’s ONE right answer, but some suggestions (that you’ve probably already tried) include:
  1) Crate him (…like when you are sleeping and/or when you’re not home). Once I started crate-training my dogs they started behaving better. Eventually, we took the crate away for one, but not for the other. Each dog is different. One of ours did better being crated. The other wasn’t (and still isn’t) a dog that pushes the limits. He knows that no means no — not just sometimes, but always. We’re lucky. But… we did spend a good deal of time with one-on-one training with him. Consistency is the key. Some dogs do great when they’re crated much of the time. It all depends on the dog and the severity of the “issues” that you’re dealing with.
  2) Get professional dog training. Yes, it costs money, but it’s always worth it in the end when you have a well-behaved dog all of the time — not just some of the time. It helps to have someone guide you through the best steps for your dog and your unique situation.
  - Jessi
    I’m very consistent, every time he does it. He doesn’t really care if it’s a negative positive reinforcement. We’re in private training as well and like I said above, it’s the only thing he hasn’t changed his behavior on that we’ve worked on. He’s extremely needy in terms of attention. he’s a rescue and I’m his 3rd home, so i don’t know what he’s been through. I know what I was told, but most owners aren’t going to give up their dog and say they didn’t give them attention or abused them. So who knows. I believe it’s related, though, as it’s only when I’m on my computer. He does that, sits across from me and wines, sits next to me and paws at me for petting, or gets into the garbage. So training isn’t always the answer. And he’s crated every time I go out.
Jessi
I have a rescue dog that I was told is a jack russel and boston mix, but everyone (including my vet and my uncle who’s family bread beagles growing up) says he’s part beagle because of his body, plus he’s about 30 lbs and in shape. He always gets in the trash to get my attention if I’m on my computer. We’re currently in our 5th week of private training. He’s extremely smart, so no matter what I do he gets into the trash, which is put away in the pantry. It’s too tall for the cabinets and it’s about the only thing the training is not helping with. I will try the cayenne as long as it doesn’t burn their mouths, so I’ll check with his vet. I don’t like the idea of putting ammonia on it…thanks for the article.
Sonya Czech
I have a PitMix Rescue. We adopted her at about 1 1/2 years old. I can have the trash bin right next to me at the computer desk yet she still manages to get in it and pull out any tissue or napkins — no food on them. Same for bathroom bin. No matter what, she ALWAYS sticks her head in and pulls them out and chews them apart. I’m going to try the Cayenne. She listens very well otherwise..
Smarty Pants
My dog is a 12 lb Malty poo who knows over my TALL plastic trashcan. I think the answer is a solid one that is legit stationed on the ground and too heavy to knock over. My concern, is it falling on he and hurting her. I don’t want that- I’d rather pick up trash. At this point, I am hiding my trashcan on the balcony until I get home from work/ gym because she can’t be trusted. she’s a rescue and it’s her instinct. i eat clean and never keep foods that can hurt her in the trash cans. And she is NOT scared of anything. I don’t want to keep her in the crate all day but i have to do something. I don’t know what.
- FunTimesGuide
  Hi Smarty Pants – I think you’re right – you need a heavier, solid trash can. There are several to choose from that aren’t lightweight plastic. It’s not about height – it’s about weight. I have a metal one like pictured here: https://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/dog_proof_trash_can/. My 100lb dog can’t even knock it over.
  Or, if you’re going to stick to plastic trash cans, then you might want to put it behind a cabinet door (like under your kitchen sink). Then you could put a child-proof lock on it for extra security.
  If/when you ever get to your wits end, then I would encourage you to consider crating her. LOTS of dogs are crated all day long while their owners are at work… it’s not punishment. It’s a way of life for many dogs and humans. And many dogs don’t think of it as a bad thing – it’s mostly us humans that pass on that association to them – because we feel bad for them. But dogs are adaptable and you never know until you try… yours might even LIKE it. Lots do – because it’s a “safe place”.