How to Keep Your Trash Safe With a Dogproof Trash Can

A hungry dog may look for food in the trashcan.

If you routinely come home to toppled garbage cans, trash scattered about and a dog with a guilty look on its face, institute some dogproofing measures. A few simple tasks will keep your house clean and your dog safe. Make sure that your pet has enough to eat while you are gone during the day; hungry dogs may get into the trash because they're looking for food.

Things You'll Need

• New Trash Can (Possibly)

Instructions

1. Limit your dog's access to trash. Keep your kitchen garbage can in a cabinet with a child-safe lock or in a closed pantry. Store the can up high or behind a child safety gate where a puppy can't reach it. Keep your dog out of the garage if you store large trash cans there.

2. Purchase a trash can that cannot easily be turned over by your dog. Look for a covered stainless steel bin that requires stepping on a pedal to open. Secure trash can lids with ties or cords.

3. Tie or secure your trash can to the wall or a cabinet so that your dog cannot tip it over.

4. Purchase a commercially available deterrent. The motion-activated products keep pets away by emitting a loud noise or blast of compressed air. Such deterrents are effective when you are not at home to monitor your dog.

References

• ASPCA: Counter Surfing and Garbage Raiding