12/02/2025
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TL/DR: Just put the trash can out of reach. 😂
Stormy has an affinity for pulling tissues out of the bathroom trash bins. This, and similar behaviors, are common complaints by puppy owners.
Most owners call and say, “I need her to learn to stay out of the trash.” Here’s the thing, prevention is the right approach here. Not training.
And practically all of my puppy clients dealing with this issue expect correcting or punishing the puppy is the way to do this.
It’s not and here’s why: punishment only works if it’s applied at the moment the offense is occurring. And if your puppy has the opportunity to get into the trash and you find out after the fact, it’s too late for punishment to be effective.
The puppy won’t associate being punished with getting into the trash. Punishment is directly related to what was happening in the moment.
The other thing about punishment is that it’s risky. You don’t know what type or level of punishment will be effective or how your puppy will react.
Will they associate being yelled at with being in the bathroom? With you moving towards them? You have no idea. Regardless they are learning in that moment that their human can be unpredictably scary. This negatively affects coming when called, being reached for and/or can teach them to run from you.
Trying to correct this behavior is problematic because the reason it’s happening is lack of supervision, access and the reward of finding a treasure and maybe tearing it up. Making a big fuss about the trash bin can also make it taboo and more intriguing for a teenage puppy. They’ll learn to be sneaky about it.
In order to correct with any chance of effectiveness, you must catch them in the act which requires supervision. If you’re supervising, the simple thing is to redirect them before they dig in the trash and prevent them from having access.
I can predict, that if given the chance, Stormy will shred tissues she finds in the bathroom trash cans. So those cans are kept empty (removing temptation) and placed out of reach or behind a door. Problem solved. As she grows and matures, digging in trash will not be in her vocabulary and it won’t be a habit.
Managing a puppy’s environment and access to things is the most sensible way to avoid bad habits. It’s temporary. It’s not unlike raising a human baby and toddler.
Just as human babies develop and become more mobile and dexterous, we prevent their access to areas and things which are dangerous or unwanted behaviors. And we supervise!
Habits are created by practice and rehearsal. Don’t waste your time and effort with risky punishment that likely won’t be effective long term.
Just put the thing out of reach. Close the door. Use a baby gate. Supervise. Use a leash. Use a crate.
Prevent habits early so you don’t have to undo unwanted behaviors later.
