3 Proven Ways to Stop Your Dog From Digging Into the Trash

Does your dog get into the trash? Coming home to find your trash all over your house is annoying to say the least, but it also poses a potential health concern considering all the dangerous stuff your dog can get into. The good news is there are a few simple ways you can keep keep your dog out of the trash. Here’s 3 ways to keep your dog out of the trash.

Why You Need to Keep Your Dog Out of the Garbage

One of the most common ways our pets get sick is by eating something they’re not supposed to, and many times it comes from something in our own home — the garbage can.

There’s a lot of stuff in our trash cans that can make our pets sick. Foods that are poisonous to pets (chocolate, grapes, coffee, candy with xylitol), medications, choking hazards, glass, cleaning supplies. Our garbage contains all sorts stuff that’s harmful to our pets.

If you have a dog I’m sure you’re aware that they don’t always make wise decisions when it comes what they put in their mouth. Often times they’re led by their noses, and the garbage is a treasure trove of interesting smells. And unfortunately there’s a lot of stuff in their that can make them sick.

If your dog gets into the garbage you do have a few options — you can move it, you can modify it, or you can buy a new one. Here’s how to keep your dog out of the garbage.

Keep Your Trash Can Out of Reach From Your Dog

Does your dog get into the trash when you’re gone? The best way to guarantee your dog can’t get into the trash is by keeping it out of their reach. If your dog likes to get into the garbage make it a habit to move it out of their reach whenever you go out.

Not sure where to put the garbage can so it’s out of your dogs reach? When you leave you can put your trash can:

• In the closet
• In the garage
• On the counter
• In the bathroom
• Under the kitchen sink

You know your dog best and what they can get access to when they’re determined. If they’re able to get things off of the counter put the trash in a closet, if they have access to the bathroom put the trash in the garage.

Buy a Trash Can Your Dog Can’t Get Into

When looking to buy a pet safe trash can look for one that your dog can’t get into. For dogs that really love getting into the trash you’ll want one that’s too heavy to knock over, too tall to be gotten into, and that it has a lid that stays locked.

Some dogs are pretty crafty when it comes to getting into the garbage, and if that sounds like your dog you’ll want to consider getting a can that opens with a pedal.

We’ve had the same Simple Human can with a pedal & lid lock for a few years and my dog hasn’t been able to get into it. She has knocked it over a few times, but the lid stayed locked. But that little one we have in the bathroom? Well that’s a different story, and the reason we always keep that door shut.

Keep Your Trash Can Closed With Safety Locks

The easiest way to keep your dog from getting into the trash without much effort is to just put a safety lock on it. One easy way to modify your trash can to make it dog safe is by using  child safety locks. Now if your dog is like mine and super crafty you might want to use 2 locks, one on each side, to ensure that they can’t just tip it over and get into it.

Child safety locks use adhesive to lock onto a surface and have a simple latch system that you press to release. So don’t worry if you’re like me and have troubles opening child safe bottles, these are much easier to use.

You can buy child safety locks online, at most home improvement stores (Lowes & Home Depot) or chain stores like Target & Walmart in the kids section.

If you’re don’t want to buy locks you can make your own if you’re a little crafty. For a metal trash can you can use this method to add a latch yourself:

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