Animal Deterrents to Garbage

Dogs that enjoy Dumpster-diving excursions in the family trash create a serious problem for themselves and their owners. Dogs can make a huge mess in a home or yard that takes time and effort to clean. Getting into the garbage also can lead to a variety of health problems for a dog, from being sick to choking and worse. Deterring a dog from garbage not only is important to avoiding a big mess and an even bigger vet bill, but also essential to protecting your dog from injury, illness and death.

  1. Hazards

    • Pets that root through garbage can suffer from vomiting or diarrhea if they ingest trash. Expelling anything that did not agree with your pet's digestive system is one of the milder side effects. Serious complications can include choking, intestinal blockage, internal bleeding from any sharp objects, illness due to rancid food or even death from consuming chemicals.

    Prevention as a Deterrent

    • The best deterrent for any animal is eliminating the option of garbage altogether. Clean up any leftover food immediately and do not leave scraps on tables or counter tops. Purchase a trash can with a lid or top and place it in a cabinet or pantry. Install childproof locks to restrict access to cupboards where garbage is stored. Take citronella oil and put a few drops in the bottom of the garbage can and the area where the can is kept. Citrus smells will discourage most dogs from exploring further. Baby gates also can keep pets away from designated areas.

    Training

    • Teach your dog that the area near the garbage is not a pleasant place to be. Take empty soda cans and set them up in a pyramid around the garbage. When the animal attempts to get into the trash, the pyramid of cans will be knocked over, creating a loud, frightening noise. This will discourage the dog from repeating the action that caused the noise and the cans to fall. Also use citronella oil diluted with water in a spray bottle to squirt the dog any time it is around the trash can. Taking the fun out of getting into the garbage is the first step in correcting the behavior.

    Commercial Deterrents

    • There are several commercial deterrents that can be purchased to keep animals away from garbage. Some products spray water, diluted citronella oil or compressed air when dogs come too close. Other devices use sensors to emit frightening or unpleasant sounds. Bitter- or bad-tasting sprays are available and can be applied directly to the trash can or bags. Another option is a plastic mat that emits a small static charge when animals stand on it, which can be placed near the garbage.