Metal cans don’t have to look industrial. Lots of sleek, modern looking metal trash cans are available at most home goods stores. These are difficult to tip over and look great in your kitchen.
Use a heavy book, a break rotor, or a couple of plates on the top of the can. That thing won’t move.
The downside is that these can be pretty expensive, and are still always susceptible to tipping. They’re usually a bit heavier, but if you have a really big dog, it’s probably still able to knock it over.
Coat closet. Washing room. Front room or mud room. Garage. Outside.
Sometimes, it’s helpful to do this in an out-of-the-way location, since it looks kind of weird to have an unmovable garbage can in the middle of your kitchen. Put it in a closet adjacent to your kitchen.
Consider taking things such as meat wrappers, leftovers and other pieces of garbage with very attractive scents immediately to the garbage bin outside, instead of putting them in the kitchen trash can.
Batteries, paint, oils and other nasty substances should always be taken directly to collection points. Read this article to find out more about getting rid of toxic substances.
Prevention is key. If a dog gets in the garbage can once, it’s likely to happen again. It’s important to react swiftly when you see your dog start to nose around the garbage can. [5] X Research source Spraying a bitter apple or other spray with a nasty taste into the dog’s face is sometimes effective. These are harmless and relatively cheap sprays and can be found at most pet stores.
Shock-collars or pads and muzzles are not recommended as a training method to make dogs avoid the garbage can. [7] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source It’s also good to avoid pulling things out of the dog’s mouth. This inadvertently teaches the dog that it needs to compete for food, and will make it scavenge more. Encourage the dog to leave the item and reward the dog for obeying, instead of taking it from the dog forcefully.
Try stacking a few cookie sheets or other lightweight but metallic kitchen items on top of the garbage or on the counter by the garbage can. These items will make a loud sound if the dog disturbs them while investigating the garbage can. Check local pet stores for motion-activated devices that will trigger a blast of compressed air if anything comes near the garbage can. [8] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source The devices are safe but can startle sensitive dogs.
Stack things like newspapers underneath the garbage, or use other items that make noise to scare the dog away. Some dogs may still investigate the garbage can, or even become even more attracted to the can if it makes a sound. Use this technique only if your dog is jumpy around loud sounds.
This can be somewhat of a hassle. But if the dog doesn’t ever make it into the kitchen, it’s likely that your dog will never get into the garbage can. Make the kitchen a no-dog-zone.
Rotten meat and other nasty garbage smells will quickly overpower the citrus scent. Use citrus spray in conjunction with other methods, including changing your garbage more regularly. Some people like to regularly use basic Lysol disinfectant spray on the trash or in the can, to mask the odors and keep animals away as well. “Dog repellent” sprays are commonly sold commercially. Sometimes these are quite expensive and don’t work particularly well. Read the ingredients and find out what’s in the spray before you buy.
