Dog gets into trash

[fomorii56]

My roommate has a very intelligent labradoodle, about a year and a half old. She spends very little time with the dog, maybe 5 min a day. We live on 10 acres, so usually the dog is allowed to just run around building nervous energy all day. The dog knows basic commands like sit, stay, come, thanks to me and our third roommate and learns very quickly, however, whenever all 3 of us leave, the dog gets into the trash. If the trash is not available, she chews anything she can get her teeth on. If she is left outside, she chews anything she can find around the property. My roommate is thinking about getting her a crate. I have no problem with dogs who are properly crate trained, where the crate is a safe, wonderful place to be, but I know this will not be the case, the dog will simply be put in the crate whenever we leave. Then when she is let out, I'm sure she'll be even more excited (she gets yelled at and smacked on the head by her owner for being 'overly excited'). I would love to take over training the dog, I know she needs daily exercise like an agility course, not just mindless running on the property, but I already have a properly trained dog and am moving out in a few months. The labradoodle is NOT MY DOG but if her trash destroying behavior doesnt stop I'm concerned with how my rooommate will 'fix' it. Any ideas on how I can quickly/easily teach the dog not to destroy things when she is left alone? HELP!!!

[2dogmom]

I don't know if there is anything quick. It really sounds like the dog is suffering from separation anxiety. There might be measures you can take to cure the symptoms (like baiting the garbage with mousetraps) but it will not do anything about the cause, which is that the dog is lonely and bored.

I wish I could help with a quick easy answer but I do not see it. Perhaps someone else will.

Best of luck to you.

[adojrts]

It may not be your dog, but SOMEONE needs to educate the owner or better yet if the owner isn't going to be responsible for the dog........find it a home where it wont be hit, it will be trained, be loved and be a valued part of someones life.
Sorry not quick fixes here.
Lynn

[~Jessie~]

I also agree that it isn't going to be a quick fix. Your roommate is going to need to spend time with the dog (especially in training and keeping him busy). The dog is probably bored out of his mind, and is releasing his energy in whatever ways he can.

[DanL]

Crate!

[noludoru]

IMO, get a dog-proof trashcan. Think something metal with an attatched lid and a padlock and a hinged lid. That could solve the problem

Educating her is the best idea. If you take the dog, she'll just get another. If you train the dog for her.. she'll just abuse him some more. *sigh*