Dog destroying bin

[NoMercy]

Everytime we go out, Alfie destroys the bin and distributes the contents all over the house. Obviously we need to remember to lock it away but oftentimes we are in such a rush to get to work that we forget.

I don't want to start shutting the internal doors, thereby confining him to any little part of the house.

My question is why does he keep doing it when he knows he is going to get told off? (he is often hiding when we get back).

Is he just greedy and foraging for food or is he rebelling?

[vulcan]

That's so true sallybb, it was months before we finally cleared them up. The dog was quite useful in other ways though, in the days when delivery men left bread on doorsteps, our dog would steal the bread ! He would come struggling up the path towing a large slice loaf behind him. In the end we had to tell our neighbours who the culprit was, cost me a fortune in compensation.

[daisya]

Dogs just do not like being left alone, they are pack animals and if you and your family are the only other members of the pack then they will miss you when you go out and become very destructive unfortunately. You can train them gradually by leaving them in longer and longer sessions, reward them when they are good but ignore bad behaviour which will then stop them thinking it's good to be noticed when I've been naughty. I hope you manage to train him but he has had problems before being a rescue dog (poor soul)....these things take a lot of time and patience...be aware that he doesn't like being left and is showing you that in no uncertain terms. Hope you can help him.

[sallybb]

Vulcan.You've just reminded me of a rescue , we got from Battersea, long has he departed, bless him. On three occassion we had phone calls stating that he was is a property stealing food Ist was a neighbour to the rear of our property, she was just offering her husband the last tea time sandwich, when the dog whipped it,then grabbed it before her Oh put his hand on sarnie. fortunately she saw the funny side. Another time him escaped, received yet another phone call, he had travelled 200 yards and entered another kitchen and stole food. At this point we blocked the thick ancient hedgerow , with what ever was to hand. He was forcing he way through the smallest gaps. The third time he escaped, the plumber forgot to shut the gate. Irate phone call, can you come and collect your dog he is stealing food in my kitchen. Gave address then slammed the phonedown. Arrived to find distraught woman, who had now locked herself out trying to shoo dog out of house. Top window open, but no ladder in her garage. BT van was nearby, with ladder on top, nice BT man helped her out, didn't wait to see if they succesfully got into property, as I was told to go. Its fair to say that he was an embarassing dog to own.

[vulcan]

Very funny sallybb, aren't dogs just great at helping us to meet new people ? :-)

[sallybb]

Yes Vulcan. but I would have rather he introduced me to new people in a different way. Like being well behaved and flashing his appealing eyes at them. :o)

[saxy_jag]

He's certainly not rebelling - dogs just don't think that way. More than anything, all he wants to do is please you. However it is just possible that he will have had to forage for food or been made to miss meals in his past, before he was rescued, and therefore still isn't entirely certain where his next meal's coming from. He's just doing what dogs do naturally. As it is, five minutes after doing his thing with the bin, Alfie will have forgotten all about it. The only thing he does know is that when you come home, he gets told off, which is why he hides when you get back. It's not because he 'knows what he's done', it's because he's scared.

Does he have an indoor kennel/cage? I know you don't like to shut him up, but it really is the best way of dealing with him for fairly short periods. I've just taken on a thieving greyhound and the rescue people have advised us to do this - they've even lent us a cage until we can get one. Put his bedding in there and leave the door open when you're at home so that he can come and go as he pleases. Encourage him to go there with any bones or treats you want to give. In short, it should become his bed/bolthole. Shut the door every so often, just for a few minutes at first, to let him get used to it, then start to leave him for longer and longer periods.

Mum's JRT has had one from the outset and he loves his little cage, being quite happy in there with his toys if Mum has visitors or has to go out. He knows he's out of the way there and feels more secure. You'll find that in a very short time Alfie will be happy to spend quite lengthy periods in there when you go out. If you want to leave water out for him, you can get special bowls that clip on the inside for that purpose.

[ladybirder]

Saxy the day I have to shut a dog in a cage is the day I stop having one.

[NoMercy]

Thanks for all your answers.

Julia, I am very sorry for your loss. I just don't know what I would do without my little ginger tea-leaf. X x

[NoMercy]

I've just realised it's roast dinner day today so Alfie will be helping out in the kitchen like he normally does.

[saxy_jag]

Ladybirder, it's not cruel. Most of them love it. I've had my girl for three days and already she treats the open cage as her own space and doesn't even as much as look up when I have to shut it. When I come back in she hasn't even moved. To her, it's her bed, her sanctuary, her safe place. I wouldn't recommend shutting dogs in them for very long periods, but for an hour or so it doesn't harm them and keeps them out of trouble. And a dog out of trouble is a happier dog.

[ladybirder]

<And a dog out of trouble is a happier dog.>
I think you mean a happier owner.

[saxy_jag]

As you like it, ladybirder. But I stand by what I said. How you raise your dog is your choice. All I know is the dogs I know whose owners have used cages - including my own - have been very happy, well-cared for dogs who haven't minded them in the least.

Also, I'm just giving NoMercy an option that she may or may not have already considered. It's up to her whether chooses that route or not.

[NoMercy]

My inlaws have a cage for their German Shepherd and he doesn't seem to mind it.

However, Alfie is six now and I don't think he'd appreciate sudden confinement at his age.

[saxy_jag]

It probably is quite a late age to introduce it, although my last girl adapted at about nine, so nothing's impossible.

I think then, if you can't or don't want to confine him in any way, and if you do forget to lock the bin away, then you're just going to have to accept the whole thing, clear it up without telling him off (when mine have been in the bin I usually come out with something like "Oh dear! Been having a little fun have we?" in a semi-jokey voice that doesn't threaten the dog but does at least allow me to 'complain').

Have you thought about leaving him with something like a Kong toy or a Buster Cube filled with treats and such to keep him busy whilst you're out:

- Kong: http://www.kongcompany.com/
- Buster Cube: http://www.bustercube.com/