Put a Stop to Your Pup’s Trash-Digging Ways: 4 Pawsome Solutions

 Alright, folks, it's time to paws for a moment and have a chat about how to keep your furry friend from begging and digging through the trash. 

We all love our dogs, but let's be honest, some of their behaviors can be downright frustrating! That's why it's impawtant to train them to avoid these bad behaviors and become well-behaved members of the family.

From incessant begging to making a mess by digging through the trash, these fur-raising issues can really get under our skin. 

Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this guide, we'll go over some tips and tricks to help you put a stop to these frustrating behaviors once and for all.

1. Understanding the problem behaviors

The reason why dogs beg for food is often a ruff topic

We all know that our dogs have a nose for food – it's why they're always sniffing around the kitchen! But when that desire turns into constant begging, it can be a real ruff topic. 

Begging behavior can be caused by many factors, including boredom, lack of exercise, and even a lack of discipline.

Digging through trash is an instinctual drive that can be paw-sitively destructive

Digging through the trash can be another frustrating behavior that can be paw-sitively destructive. This behavior is often rooted in a dog's natural instinct to scavenge for food, and unfortunately, it can lead to a real mess in your home!

Why begging and trash digging are not paw-some behaviors

Both begging and trash digging are not paw-some behaviors. Begging can lead to overfeeding and unhealthy eating habits, while digging through the trash can lead to your dog ingesting dangerous or harmful items. It's important to train your pup to avoid these behaviors and become a well-behaved member of your household.

2. Training and prevention

It's time to dig into the nitty-gritty of dog training and prevention. From mastering obedience commands to curbing unruly behavior, there's plenty to chew on.

Teach basic obedience commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it”

Let's start with the basics – every top dog needs to know how to “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it.” It's the foundation of well-behaved dogs and is sure to get tails wagging. 

And hey, who said training had to be all work and no play? Treats and belly rubs are a pawsome way to reinforce good behavior!

Use negative reinforcement techniques 

When your pup starts begging at the table or going to town on the trash, it's time to take action. Negative reinforcement techniques like ignoring or redirecting their attention can be a bark in the right direction. 

Remember, consistency is key – giving in once will only encourage them to keep it up.

Avoid Unwanted Behaviors

To avoid these unwanted behaviors altogether, here are a few things you can do.

• Keep your dog on a consistent feeding schedule and avoid overfeeding.
• Use designated feeding areas and food storage containers to avoid confusion or sneaky snacking.
• Keep trash out of reach or behind closed doors to avoid a mess and unwanted behavior.
• Use positive reinforcement techniques, like treats and belly rubs, to reinforce good behavior.
• Practice basic obedience commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “leave it.”
• Utilize negative reinforcement techniques, like ignoring or redirecting attention, when your dog exhibits bad behavior.

3. Managing the environment

Whether you're at home or away, it's important to create a space that's comfortable and safe for your pup. Here are some tips to keep your dog happy, healthy, and out of trouble.

Use a dog crate or designated area when you are away from home

When you're away from home, it's important to use a dog crate or designated area. This creates a safe space for your pup and helps prevent unwanted behavior like chewing on furniture or digging in the trash. 

Consider using dog-proof trash cans

Let's face it – dogs love to sniff around in the trash. It's like a treasure hunt for them, with all sorts of interesting smells to explore. But what happens when they find something they shouldn't? It can be dangerous for your furry friend and a major headache for you. That's where a dog-proof trash can comes in.

Investing in a dog-proof trash can is a great way to prevent your pup from getting into the garbage. These cans have lids that lock or are difficult to open, which means your dog won't be able to satisfy their curiosity by digging around in the trash. Not only does this save you from the hassle of cleaning up a mess, but it also keeps your dog safe from any dangerous items that may be lurking in the trash.

For example, your dog may come across a chicken bone or other food scraps that can be harmful to them. Additionally, some common household items that we throw away, like batteries or cleaning supplies, can be extremely toxic to dogs. A dog-proof trash can eliminates the risk of your pup getting into these items and potentially harming themselves.

Recommended Dog-Proof Garbage Cans

There are many options for dog-proof garbage cans available on the market. Some of the most recommended ones include:

Simplehuman 58 Liter/15.3 Gallon Stainless Steel Dual Compartment Rectangular Kitchen Step Trash Can: This high-quality trash can has a strong, lockable lid that keeps dogs out of the garbage. It also has a separate compartment for recycling.

iTouchless 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Automatic Trash Can with Odor-Absorbing Filter: This automatic trash can has a sensor that opens the lid when you're nearby and closes it when you're done. The lid is also lockable, making it difficult for dogs to get into the garbage.

Suncast 33-Gallon Pet-Proof Trash Can: This plastic trash can has a lockable lid to keep your furry friend out of the garbage. It also has a foot pedal for hands-free opening and is made from durable, easy-to-clean material.

Glad Stainless Steel Step Trash Can with Clorox Odor Protection: This trash can has a locking mechanism that keeps dogs out of the garbage, as well as Clorox odor protection to keep your home smelling clean. The stainless steel material is also easy to clean and adds a modern touch to your decor.

Home Zone Living 13 Gallon Stainless Steel Kitchen Trash Can: This trash can has a lockable lid to keep dogs out of the garbage, as well as a built-in deodorizer to keep your home smelling fresh. The stainless steel material is also easy to clean and adds a stylish touch to your kitchen.

Joseph Joseph Intelligent Waste Totem Kitchen Trash Can and Recycler: This trash can has a lockable lid to keep dogs out of the garbage, as well as separate compartments for recycling and general waste. The compact design makes it ideal for small spaces, and the color-coded bins make sorting and recycling easy.

When choosing a pet-proof garbage can, be sure to consider factors like size, material, and lockability to find the best option for your home and your furry friend.

Monitor your dog's behavior and make necessary adjustments to their environment

Managing your dog's environment isn't just about preventing bad behavior – it's also about making sure they have everything they need to be happy and healthy. Keep an eye on your dog's behavior and make necessary adjustments to their environment. 

Do they need a softer bed? A new toy to keep them occupied? Pay attention to their needs and make changes as necessary.

4. Consistency and persistence

Consistency and Percistency are key to success when it comes to training your furry friend and avoiding bad behavior.

Consistency is key to training your dog to avoid bad behavior

If you want your dog to learn good behavior, you need to be consistent in your training techniques. That means practicing the same commands, rewarding good behavior, and correcting bad behavior every time it occurs. 

This might mean you need to make some changes to your routine to accommodate your furry friend, but it's worth it in the end.

Be patient and persistent in training your dog – Rome wasn't built in a day!

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is a well-trained dog. It takes time and effort to teach your pup good behavior, and it's important to be patient and persistent. Don't get discouraged if your dog doesn't seem to be catching on right away – keep at it and you'll see progress.

Keep practicing the training techniques until the behavior is learned – paw-sistence is key!

Keep practicing the training techniques until the behavior is learned. Don't give up or get lazy with the training – this can lead to bad habits forming and undo all of your hard work. Remember, it's much easier to prevent bad behavior than it is to correct it later on.

Join our Newsletter for Behavior Training Emails

Thanks for tuning in, pawrents! We hope that you found this guide helpful in your quest for training your furry friend and preventing unwanted behavior. But the journey doesn't have to end here! If you want to continue learning about how to keep your pup well-behaved and happy, we have just the thing for you.

We invite you to join our newsletter for behavior training emails. By signing up, you'll receive regular tips and advice on how to train your dog and create a happy, healthy, and safe environment for them. We'll cover everything from basic obedience commands to preventing undesirable behaviors like begging and exploring the trash.

So don't miss out! Join our newsletter today and take the first step towards becoming the top dog of good behavior. Your furry friend will thank you for it!