Retirement didn’t stop a retired police dog after it located and rescued a missing person in East Sussex, England on his first ever walk since having major surgery.
The German Shepherd, named Bear, reportedly found the man in the forest on November 28 while being walked by owner, Julia Pope, a former police officer, The Guardian reveals.
What made the rescue special was that Bear, who was on his first ever walk two weeks after getting surgery to remove two benign tumors, was also celebrating his 12th birthday on the same day!
But such celebration did not stop Bear from locating and alerting his owner to a man in “dense undergrowth” while on their walk.
The Thin Blue Paw Foundation, a national charity that supports serving and retired police dogs across the UK, reveals on a Facebook post, “Unbeknownst to RPD Bear, the man was a vulnerable missing person who officers had been searching for without success.”
Pope tells The Guardian that Bear immediately “went into work mode” after it sensed the lost individual.
Recalling the incident, Pope explains, “[He] then dragged us to it, where he located and alerted us to a vulnerable man. I’m not sure he would have survived the night as it was extremely cold and almost dark at that point with no one else in the vicinity.”
The dog owner adds that Bear lead the way and helped the man back to an area where he could coordinate with local officers and reunite with his loved ones.
Pope describes the whole encounter as an “amazing stroke of luck”.
“RPD Bear, you’re a true hero, showing us that even in retirement, you can still save lives,” the Thin Blue Paw Foundation wrote.
Bear served with Sussex Police Dog Unit for seven years and was adopted by Pope in 2020 after his retirement.
In 2023, the retired police dog had to get emergency surgery due to having four herniated discs in his back, which caused him collapse. For this, he was supported by the Thin Blue Paw Foundation.
In some households, curiosity doesn’t kill the cat, but it does the trashcan – especially when you have a dog that is naturally naughty and curious about it.
These cleverly naughty pooches see the trash can as a treasure throve of delightful delicacies instead of just that – a container used to store waste until it can be disposed of.
Masarik / Shutterstock.com
While rummaging through the trash can is be a real problem, the good news is that there are a lot of dog proof trash cans that can survive even the most clever dogs out there and keep your house mess-free.
From motion sensors, locking lids to anti-tip and touch-free trash cans, there’s a dog proof trash can out there that can keep your dog safely out of the trash. Continue reading below to find the best match for you and your home!
Why Use A Dog Proof Trash Can?
Dog proof trash cans play an important role in keeping your house clean, your dog safe from any dangerous content, which therefore, gives you peace of mind.
Dogs may dig in the trash for a variety of reasons. But more often than not, it’s usually because they’re hungry, bored, or attracted to the smell of the trash can’s content.
More often than not, the trash can contains a variety of garbage. For example, during Thanksgiving, the trash can is where we put all our food scraps after all the celebration.
For example, cooked turkey bones and skin, cranberry sauce, and gravy – all of which are actually delicious food to your dog.
Furthermore, dogs who rummage through trash cans not only create a whole mess in the area, but there is also the chance that they can get stuck inside the trash can, which is also dangerous.
Key Features To Look For In A Dog Proof Trash Can
Vera Aksionava / Shutterstock.com
When looking for a dog proof trash can, you have to make sure that it has features that will surely keep your pooch from getting into its content.
In saying this, here are key features that makes a trash can truly dog proof:
The use of durable, high-quality materials. Trash cans made of low-quality materials are very easy to knock over, especially for big dogs determined to get into the trash can. Trash cans made of low-quality materials are cheap, but they will not last long in a household with a naughty dog!
Is heavy-weight or has an anti-tip design. Dogs usually tip or knock over trash cans to easily get to its content. So, when buying a dog proof trash can, make sure it’s heavy-weight or has an anti-tip design, so your dog can’t easily tip it over.
Features locking lids or pedals. Is your dog particularly smart and can find his/her way into the trash can? Well, you might want to opt for a trash can that features pedals, or better yet, locking lids!
Has touch-free technology. A dog proof trash can that only opens when an object passes over the sensor is a handy option for dog owners AND people who want to avoid contact when using their trash can.
Our Top 6 Dog Proof Trash Cans
Durable, functional, and just what you need to deter four-legged dumpster divers – this list includes our top dog proof trash cans.
Continue reading to find the most suitable trash can for your household and dog!
1. Best Overall: iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can
The iTouchless 13 Gallon Kitchen Trash Can is our best dog proof trash can because it checks all our boxes and comes with a few other amazing features, too.
Here are the key features that we absolutely love:
Touch-free technology. The motion of your hands opens the motion sensor automatically so it is hygienic.
Comes with a locking lid. While the touch-free technology ensures the trash can can’t be easily opened, the trash can includes a locking lid to ensure that even if a dog is able to knock it over, they still won’t be able to open it and access its contents.
Large capacity. The trash can doesn’t need an inner bucket, so there is 25% more capacity in this 13 gallon trash can.
A space-saver with a high-quality, sleek design. The shape of the trash can can snugly fit in corners. It also is made of a finger-print resistant stainless steel exterior.
Includes an odor filters. Speaking of hygienic, the trash can comes with an AbsorbX Odor Filter, which absorbs and neutralizes the odor of the garbage inside the can. It keeps your house odorless and ensures your dog doesn’t smell all the leftover food you’ve put inside it.
Reasonably priced. For the quality and feature it offers, this trash can’s price is reasonable.
While we absolutely love this trash can, here are a few things you might want to consider:
It requires batteries or an AC adapter for it to be fully functional.
Batteries and the AC adapter are all not included and sold separately.
If you have a dedicated four-legged dumpster diver and no amount of dog proofing is working, you might want to give the Sterilite 12.6 Gallon Locking StepOn Trash Can a try – it might just change the game for you!
Here’s why we love this dog proof trash can:
Locking lid feature. This trash can’s locking lid feature ensures maximum security and makes this a pet and child-proof trash can. When locked, the trash can’s lid is secured to the base. So even if the trash can is tipped over, it still cannot be accessed and accidental spills will not become a problem.
Includes a push-pedal. If you want a hands-free trash can that isn’t motion-sensor, then this Sterilite trash can might be what you need. You only need to step on the pedal slightly for it to open.
Large capacity. This dog proof trash can is designed to fit a 13-gallon trash liner, making it a perfect kitchen trash can.
A space-saving and unique design. While most trash cans are rectangular or circular, the Sterilite 12.6 Gallon Locking StepOn Trash Can has a D-shaped design that allows for a neat fit against walls, helping you save space inside the kitchen.
Made from durable plastic. This dog proof trash can is made from durable plastic that is BPA and phthalate-free.
Here are things to consider before buying this dog proof trash can:
The locking mechanism is kind of difficult to engage with. The lock can be pretty difficult to turn to get it to stay locked.
You might think, if a dog is too clever, why suggest a step trash can? Well, this one might not be the usual step trash can your dog is expecting.
The simplehuman 13 Gallon Semi-Round Kitchen Step Trash Can is our best step trash can for two reasons – it features a locking lid and does not break the bank!
Here are key features we love about this dog proof trash can:
Features a silent close-lid. If you’re worried about the sound of the trash can’s lid signaling your dog to the kitchen, then you’ll be pleased to know that this trash can’s lid closes slowly and silently upon use.
Features a stay-open lid. This step trash can also stay open for as long as you like, which might be perfect if you have longer chores in the kitchen.
Locking lid feature. To deter the four-legged dumpster divers, the trash can features a locking lid that shuts the trash can, even if it gets knocked over. Furthermore, the locking lid feature is easy to use and extremely reliable.
Reasonably priced. If you’re looking for both functionality and affordability, then this dog proof trash can fits the bill.
We believe that the only thing you should consider for this trash can is the preference for stainless steel over plastic. While this is made of durable plastic, there might be some who prefer stainless steel trash cans over plastic.
Function Home Trash Can Cabinet is where style meets function. If you’re looking for a stylish trash can that will still be able to do the job, then this is the trash can for you.
While this trash can is an open-lid type, it doesn’t look like a trash can at all and is made of heavy-weight materials that will not easily get tipped over by a dog.
Here are other reasons of why we are in love of this stylish trash can:
Has a stylish wood design. The trash can’s wood design and color makes it easy on the eyes as it blends beautifully with the interior of any home.
Made of eco-friendly materials. The trash can is crafted from low emission sturdy MDF board, which is good for the environment and is durable.
Comes in three colors. This dog proof trash can comes in three colors: grey, white, and black.
Features a stainless steel lid leash. The trash can features a stainless steel lid leash for ease of access.
While we’re in love with this stylish trash can, here are things to consider before buying this trash can:
You have to assemble the product before you can fully use it.
Other customers have reported that the screws provided were either too small, not the right length, or did not fit the holes properly.
5. Best For Large Capacity: simplehuman 15.3 Gallon Stainless Steel Dual Compartment Recycler
If you live in a big household and require a large, dog proof trash can, then check out the simplehuman 15.3 Gallon Stainless Steel Dual Compartment Recycler.
Thanks to its large capacity, this trash can solves two problem: recycling your trash and keeping it away from your dog.
Aside from these, here are other key features that you might want to check out:
Heavy-duty design. This trash can is made of stainless steel so you know it’s made of durable materials. With its heavy-duty design, dogs will have a hard time trying to knock this one over!
Has a dual compartment. One side of the trash can is for the trash, while the other is for easy disposal of recyclables.
Features a steel pedal. The trash can’s steel pedal is engineered to last 150,000 steps – that’s more than 20 steps a day for 20 years.
Easy-to-clean. The invisible silver-ion coating allows ease of cleaning. Furthermore, the coating will not dull the natural shine of the steel and can resist fingerprints.
Does your dog also snoop around the bathroom or your home office trash? Well, the simplehuman 1.2 Gallon Round Bathroom Step Trash Can might just be the answer to your problem.
This trash can works well in small spaces, but is still hard to tip over by dogs. Here are some key features we admire:
Stainless steel exterior. This dog proof trash can features a stainless steel exterior and a stainless steel pedal.
Durable. The trash can is made of stainless steel, including its pedal, which is engineered to last over 150,000 steps.
Has a non-skid base. The trash can cannot be tipped easily, thanks to its durability and its non-skid base that keeps the can steady.
1.2 gallon capacity. The capacity and size of the trash can is perfect for small spaces in your home, such as the bathroom and the office.
While the trash can is durable and cannot be easily tipped over, extremely stubborn dogs might still be able to find ways to access its content, so use with caution!
Keeping your dog out of the trash can be challenging, especially when they find countless ways to access it, but not totally impossible.
We believe that choosing a solution that fits your home and your dog’s behavior is the best way to deal with this kind of problem.
However, if tweaking your current trash can is not working and you’ve tried everything you can think of, investing in one of these dog proof trash can might just be what you need to do. It will save you a lot of headaches and money.
Not to mention, it keeps your dog and children away from dangerous trash can content, keeps your household clean, and gives you peace of mind.
Do you have any dogproofing tips or dog proof trash can recommendations? Share them in the comments below!
A sick dog in China, the definition of “loyalty”, was found guarding her owner’s grave for two years before being rescued and taken care of by his new owner.
The South China Morning Post reported that a Chinese influencer and an owner of a stray dog relief center in eastern China’s Jiangxi province rescued the loyal yet sick dog.
The influencer, @ganpojiege on Chinese social media platform Douyin, posted a video of the loyal dog’s story on November 05. The video has since gone viral, garnering 85,000 likes and thousands of comments.
The Chinese influencer first heard of the dog, who he later named Zhongbao (“Loyal Baby”), in 2022 from locals. He found her at the cemetery with a crippled leg and severe skin issues.
The locals then told @ganpojiege that Zhongbao has been guarding her owner’s grave after she passed away.
For Zhongbao, her owner’s grave in the cemetery is her home, and she only leaves the grave to go to the village to find food.
Some have tried to adopt her, but to no avail, Zhongbao kept escaping and going back to her owner’s grave, so people just gave up any attempt of adopting her.
But in a touching and heartwarming move before rescuing Zhongbao, the influencer made a promise at the previous owner’s gravesite that he will take care of the pooch, but will often bring her back to visit the grave.
The influencer patiently helped Zhongbao heal from her skin disease, which took about four months to completely heal.
Now, Zhongbao has a long, healthy coat and has been living with hundreds of other dogs that the influencer has rescued.
And staying true to his promise, @ganpojiege often brought the pooch back to her owner’s grave to visit her.
The influencer has likened the pooch’s loyalty to her previous owner to Hachiko, the famous Japanese dog who waited for his late owner at the Shibuya Station for 10 years.
Thus, touching the hearts of many Chinese online users.
One user wrote, “It is nice that Zhongbao met a kind-hearted man who continued looking after her on behalf of her previous owner.”
“Sometimes dogs are more loyal than humans,” another wrote.
