How to Keep Animals Out of the Garbage

There is nothing more frustrating than when your home animals get into the garbage can. You leave for a few hours and return to have garbage strewn absolutely everywhere. Well here are some tips on how you can keep pets and other home animals out of your kitchen garbage.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pet
• Garbage
• Bean bags

1. Purchase a garbage can that has a lot of weight to it and comes with a sturdy lid. These garbage cans are quite a bit more expensive then their plastic counterparts, but they are well worth the investment. The weight will prevent the pet from knocking it over, while the lid will keep the contents inside if it does happen to get toppled.

2. Take out the kitchen garbage frequently. This just isn't for the health of the dog, but a good tip for every household. Separate recyclables and put them in their appropriate places. Then, make it a chore to take out the remaining garbage at least every other day. This will keep the smell and your pets' curiosity at bay.

3. Throw bean bags to the side of the pet if he starts to tap or paw at the garbage, so he becomes startled. This is all about correcting your pet's behavior. Verbally correct him until he leaves the garbage alone. Repeat this procedure until the habit is broken. It may take a little reminder every once and a while.

4. Place the garbage can under the kitchen sink. If you can remove the garbage from view, then the pets can't get to it.

5. Put the garbage can up on the counter top. This is not desirable over as a long term action, but if you are in a pinch and need to run out, it works.

6. Block the pets from access to the garbage. Use a baby or animal gate to keep the pets at bay. They may whine initially, but ultimately they can't get to what they don't reach.

7. Push your pet's nose into the mess while reprimanding him verbally. Use a firm grasp on your pet. By pushing his nose and verbally reprimanding him, you are creating a visual and audible representation for the animal about what practices are not acceptable.

Tips & Warnings

• Spraying an ammonia based cleaner on the garbage will turn your pet's nose away as well.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[rajnsharma]

on 6/29/2009 It is simlper than you think. Just secure the lid to the garbage can using Raccoon Green Bin Solution from www.raccoonsolutions.com It is easy to use and no installations necessary

[garyloewenthal]

on 12/2/2008 I'm not so sure about step 7. First of all, in case it's kitty and not Fido who's raiding the garbage, the "nose in the trash" reprimand will almost certainly be counterproductive. But even with dogs, the "rubbing his/her nose in it" style of discipline is highly controversial. With some dogs, you may just create fear and confusion. If one is going to try that technique, reprimands are most effective when done very shortly after the undesirable act, not long afterward. You want the "offender" to associate the act with the negative commands. With cats, it's best to clap hands, say "No, Kitty!" and so forth right when the act is being done, or just before. Granted, you have to be at the right place at the right time. That's why all the preventive measures are your best options.

(BTW, use of spray botles of water with cats also can be counterproductive, especially with cats who are shy o