There’s a reason we put unwanted items out for commercial garbage pickup-trash is nasty. Food waste stinks, paper and plastic cause clutter, and other items just aren’t meant to be kept forever.

Does your dog know this? Of course not. To animals, trash bins are a source of snacks and chew toys. This gives both pet owners and garbage service workers bouts of frustration when they find garbage bags ripped to shreds on the carpet or the sidewalk.

If you’re having trouble keeping pets out of your indoor and outdoor dumpsters or recycling bins, take action. There are several simple methods for protecting your trash from animal invaders. Here are just a few ways you can keep your trash out of the dog’s mouth and in the bin where it belongs:

For Indoor Garbage-Destroyers

Invest in A Lidded Can with Safety Locks

Many stores and online retailers carry simple lid locking mechanisms that can keep your trash sealed against cats, dogs, and toddlers. So long as your trash can has a lid, these devices prevent the lid from being lifted without detaching the clip mechanism. Some trash cans also come with their own latching mechanism, and cans with pedals tend to be more challenging for dogs to invade.

Keep Pets Fed and Entertained

Another good strategy for keeping pets away from the trash is to provide them with other distractions. Your pup will be less likely to devour discarded butter paper or used tissues if you’ve given her plenty of toys, treats, and food to keep her occupied.

Don’t Leave Tempting Items Inside

Even a well-fed, well-trained dog or cat has trouble resisting the tempting smells of discarded food. Don’t toss chicken packaging, leftovers, or other strong-smelling food items in the garbage until you’re ready to take it out. If you have to throw away these items, take the trash out before the indoor bin is full. With this method, your pet will never have the chance to steal from the garbage in the first place.

For Outdoor Garbage Thieves

Install Lights with Motion Sensors

Raccoons, stray cats, and other people’s pets tend to be spooked by sudden motions or environmental changes. If your garage light suddenly flicks to life when an opossum sneaks down your drive, it might just scurry away.

Double Bag

To keep smaller rodents, insects, and pets all from getting into outdoor trash and dumpsters, try using two bags. An added layer of plastic makes infiltration more challenging for creatures without thumbs. Don’t try this unless you’ve had repeat offenders- you don’t want to waste trash bags unnecessarily.

In their lifetime, the average American will throw away 600 times the amount of his or her weight in garbage. All of that trash provides plenty of opportunities for pets and outdoor critters alike to invade and steal garbage from dumpsters. Prevent the mess and the headaches of animal trash invasions with these indoor and outdoor tips.