We got our Staff X (not sure what he's crossed with!) from a rescue home, we've had him about 6 months now, and he seems to be about settled. The only real problem we are still having with him, is that when he's left on his own, he attacks the bin. Sometimes just ripping the liner, other times going through the entire bin and dragging the contents out and spreading them throughout the house (whilst eating anything that appears edible!). When we come home, his ears are back and if you try and call him into the kitchen he won't come, no matter what your tone of voice. I'm sure he know's he's done wrong.
Any ideas on how to stop this or how best to disipline him?? We've already tried pepper and anti chew spray in/around the bin, but he just gets used to the taste..licking his lips even! Please help!

Have you tried moving the bin out of the way? Putting it outside while you are out? Does he then go on to have a go at something else? Bins are very rewarding to dogs, very little effort = maximum gain (food) :)

Hello Harry

All Bully breeds are very intelligent and inquisitive. He is probably bored on his own. I personally cage my dogs when I go out. I believe that this stops me from being stressed because my dog/s have been up to no good when I was out, and stops the dogs being stressed because I am not happy with thier behavior.
All happy bunnys/bullys. Regards Mick.

The most obvious thing to do is remove the bin to somewhere he can't get it (prevention being better than cure)! One of mine would always search through the bin at my mother's house for tasty titbits (and enjoyed the lovely tearing noise from paper!!) until the bin was put out of her reach. Problem solved.

A suggestion, though - he doesn't know he's done wrong. Have you ever called him into the kitchen, then when he's obeyed you (by coming when you've called) scolded or punished him? If you have he's learnt that being called into the kitchen means trouble! He's scared of your anger, not ashamed for what he's done.

Unfortunatly moving the bin isn't really an option. We have called him into the kitchen and then scolded him for getting the bin, but he is by no means scared of going in there...except when he's had the bin. As he's a rescue dog, we go very easy on him, with the discipline, but we're worried he might start taking advantage of that. So it's a case of what to do for the best.
Thanks for the advice

Why isn't moving the bin an option?

Surely that is the most obvious solution to the problem.

Can you not invest in one of the bins that fits on the inside of a cupboard door????

What worries me most about this habit is not the destruction of the bin, but what is going to happen when he eats something that he shoul;dn't and you end up with a vets bill for sorting it out.

I'm curious - why can't you move the bin? What design is it (flip-top, pedal-bin?) and where is it sited?

If you can't move the bin, then you have to stop the dog getting to it. Can you have the dog in a different room when you go out, and shut the door to the room the bin is in?

Edited to add: To have any effect, dogs should only be scolded/punished when caught in the act - if you scold a dog after the event, he will simply get confused and insecure.

you can't call a dog into a kitchen and scold him fr something he has already done - he doesn't have that kind of mental understanding. Scavaging is normal dog behaviour - he might have had to do it to get a meal previously to your taking him on...

Just move the bin or put him in a different room, or get him a crate for short periods :)

Please don't get me wrong we DON'T smack him for attacking the bin, we know that will do no good. The reason behind not being able to move the bin is this; We live in a rented house and when we tried to move the bin before he badly scratched the doors trying to get at it. It worried me at first thinking maybe he wasn't getting enough to eat, but now I think it's just that he had to scavage for his food before we had him...hence him not getting smacked.
I only posted this question in the chance that someone more experienced than us would know some magic tricks! I guess all we can do is buy a small bin that can fit in our cupboards.
Thanks for the advice

Hi

Get a small bin, but replace his need to look for food/entertain himself with a stuffed kong... he'll be delighted. Also consider a crate if I were you, infact I just bought an excellent one from ebay. Let me know if you would details :)

yes please details would be good. Never really thought of a crate as it's always seemed a bit cruel...must be wrong as I hear loads about them on this site. He has loads of chewy toys, but nothing soft, maybe we should try that. Thanks alot!

Get the biggest crate you can afford, and then he will have his own area. Get a Kong and stuff it with mince, cheese, bit of complete stuff - all his favourites - and put it in the freezer, it will then take him ages to get through it. Only give him his Kong when you are leaving him, he will then associate the Kong with being left. How long do you leave him for in any one period?

I got my crate from a company who sell on Ebay - for a four foot Great Dane size it was £70. I don't think admin will let me put a link on, so let me have your email address and ill send you the details privately :)

Hi
I have used a crate for all my dogs but now no longer need it as they are house trained and don't chew etc.However I have to leave it up as they all use it as their 'space'.I think its far from cruel-you can go out safe in the knowledge that when you come home you can make a fuss of your dog for being good and not have to clean up any mess or be angry with your dog.I never use my crate as a punishment as I want them to enjoy it and I make it as interesting as possible when I use it by rotating toys and using Kongs etc.They're not for everyone but I swear by mine.
Archer

Also one of the puzzle food dispensers like the buster cube might satisfy this urge.

Harry

I see on the other boards you are looking for a companion for your bully. I would invest in a cage to keep them apart when you are out. I keep my bitch in a cage on the top landing of our house and have a stair gate to stop my male from getting down the stairs with snibs on all the doors to keep him out of the rooms. He sleeps beside the cage but there is no play or fighting or destruction when I am not in. My bitch is the size of a large staff and I got her a lab size cage so she has plenty room. Its the no hassle way to leaving them on thier own. They also sleep this way at night.

Regards Mick