CHEWING/TRASH CANS/STEALING FOOD

These are in the same category because they involve the mouth and may occur in your presence or behind your back.
The solution lies in breaking the malbehavior rather than avoiding the problem by means of hiding food out of reach or moving the trash can. Don't reinforce the problem by becoming involved with it.
If it occurs in your presence, address it, as you will any other behavior problem by utilizing the sound distraction techniques. Set aside some time to recreate and solve the problem.
If this occurs when you are not there, here is what should happen:

EXAMPLE: You come home and the dog has chewed the woodwork, bedspread, shoes, trashcan, etc.

SOLUTION: Use the technique for curing separation anxiety to prevent this from happening. When it happens, use the sound correction for dealing with problems after the fact, like this. Don't become part of the problem by making a big scene out of it. The damage is already done. Simply go over and subtly pick up a can, and casually walk over to the damaged area, calmly ask, "what's that?" as you drop the can and casually walk away, without speaking. Clean up the damage when he is not in sight. The can sounding without praise will emphatically tell him he shouldn't have done that, and you won't be creating further problems by becoming involved. Often, just one correction like this is enough to solve the problem. .