How to discipline a dog for getting in the trash?

During the days when we are with dogs, they bring countless joy and warmth to our lives. But when you find that the trash can at home is a mess and the garbage is scattered everywhere, even if you love dogs, you can't help but feel helpless and annoyed. Dogs rummaging through the trash can not only destroy the neat home environment, but also hide many threats such as sharp bones, spoiled food and used cleaning supplies in the trash can. Once the dog eats them by mistake, the consequences will be disastrous. Faced with this behavior of dogs, many owners' first reaction is to punish them. But what kind of punishment method is both scientific and effective, which can correct the dog's behavior without hurting the deep feelings between them and the dog? This requires us to deeply understand the reasons behind the dog's behavior and then take appropriate punishment measures. ​

There are many reasons why dogs are keen on rummaging through the trash can. From the evolutionary root, when the dog's ancestor, the wolf, survived in the wild, it was difficult to obtain food and needed to rely on a keen sense of smell to find food everywhere. Although dogs have been domesticated for a long time and now live in comfortable families, this foraging instinct is still deeply imprinted in their genes. The rich smell of food in the trash can is like a strong magnet for dogs, which can easily awaken their hidden foraging nature. ​

Furthermore, dogs are alone at home for a long time. If they lack enough toys and activities, and have no place to release their excess energy, they will easily feel bored. In order to pass the time, they will try various "exploration" behaviors, and rummaging through the trash can may become one of their "entertainment projects". In addition, if the owner does not give the dog a systematic and correct behavioral norms during the growth process, it will be difficult for them to distinguish that rummaging through the trash can is not allowed. In the simple cognition of dogs, there is no essential difference between the trash can and other items in the house, and they all belong to the category of being able to explore at will. ​

After understanding the reasons why dogs rummage through the trash can, the next step is the key punishment link. First of all, it should be clear that when a dog is rummaging through the trash can, it is necessary to stop it immediately. But the way to stop it needs to be exquisite, and it cannot be simply and roughly beaten and scolded. You can make sudden noises, such as clapping your hands, shaking a metal can containing coins, etc. The sudden noise will attract the dog's attention, interrupt its current behavior, and make it realize that rummaging through the trash can will lead to unpleasant consequences. However, this noise should be moderate. Too strong noise may scare the dog and cause psychological trauma to it. ​

When the dog stops rummaging through the trash can, do not comfort or reward it immediately, because this may make the dog mistakenly believe that it will get attention and benefits as long as it stops rummaging through the trash can, thus failing to achieve the purpose of punishment. At this time, the dog should be temporarily isolated, such as locking it in a separate small room for a few minutes, so that it understands that rummaging through the trash can will cause it to lose the opportunity to be with the owner and be in a relatively isolated environment. However, the isolation time should not be too long, otherwise it will make the dog feel panicked about being abandoned and affect its trust relationship with the owner. ​

After the dog rummages through the trash can, the owner can also use some auxiliary tools to strengthen the punishment effect. For example, spray a special pet restricted area spray around the trash can. This type of spray usually emits a smell that dogs don't like, which can effectively prevent them from approaching the trash can. When dogs get close to trash cans and smell this smell, they will associate it with unpleasant feelings, thus reducing the behavior of rummaging through trash cans. However, be careful to choose spray products that are harmless to the health of dogs. ​

In addition to timely stopping and using auxiliary tools, owners also need to consolidate the results of punishment through positive training. In daily life, when dogs show no interest in trash cans, or pass by trash cans without rummaging, they should be rewarded immediately, such as delicious snacks, enthusiastic praise, gentle caressing, etc. Let the dog understand that not rummaging through trash cans can get more care and rewards from the owner, which is far more valuable than the short-term "fun" brought by rummaging through trash cans. ​

In the process of punishing dogs for rummaging through trash cans, owners must remain patient and consistent. Dogs' behavioral changes are not achieved overnight, and it may take repeated punishment and training to see results. You cannot let your dog rummage through the trash can occasionally because of a momentary softness, nor can you change the rules and methods at will during the punishment process, otherwise the dog will be confused and unable to accurately understand the owner's intentions, which will affect the effect of the punishment.​

The most important thing is that we should always remember that dogs are not deliberately making trouble. They look through the trash can more out of instinct and curiosity about the world. Punishment is only a means, not an end. The purpose is to help dogs develop good behavioral habits so that they can better integrate into family life. There is a deep emotional bond between us and dogs. During the punishment process, we should guide them with love and patience, so that dogs can feel the constraints of the rules while also feeling the constant love of the owner. Only in this way can we maintain a close relationship with dogs while correcting their bad behaviors.