Sick of the Counter Surfing!!!

troublex2 · 10-29-2007, 07:01 AM

This is the last straw!

My two boys, Bacio and Samson, have always been prone to counter surfing. Usually we hide every bit of food from them, tucking it away where they'd have to REALLY work to get it. I feed them well and regularly, and they seem to like their food. Also, I don't believe their counter surfing is a way to vent frustration or boredom...today we all went on a trip to the river where we exercised and they ran until they were frothy with joy. *
Here is how they repay me!!

Tonight I heard a crash, and saw that they had managed to eat an ENTIRE batch of cookies (that's 3 dozen cookies!!!) that I had left on a plate on the counter. I'd worked nearly 2 hours to bake them all. I was so furious, but I didn't catch them immediately in the act so I couldn't punish them...they would never have associated the two things; punishment and their act of food obsession.
At least I know they appreciate my cooking.

But really, there must be a way to teach them to respect the counters and tables in our house!!! If you can help me, please DO!

Diesel-and-Kira · 10-29-2007, 07:13 AM

Maybe you can tempt them with some yummy food right on the edge of the counter. Then when they show interest, or attempt to jump up there, correct them right away. This way you're right there to catch them in the act. I'm sure after a few dozen repetitions they'll stop cruising the counters even when you're not around.

sharonL · 10-29-2007, 07:40 AM

Well I dont know if I have any certain advice other then to agree with DieselsMom that you have to find a way to catch them in the act. *I had a friend that used a squirt bottle filled with clean plain water and when she caught her Dobie puppy surfing she would squirt him. *He hated it and learned quickly that the counter meant water squirt so he avoided the whole thing. *He was about 8 months when all this was going on. Maybe it is work trying...???....

**Newcastle** · 10-29-2007, 08:16 AM

If I had a real problem with counter-surfing, this is the method I would use to cure it:
http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/arc ... iondet.txt

It has the advantages of a) working even if you're not right in the room and b) being an environmental correction rather than one added by you, which means the dog won't lose any trust in you. *You do need to 'prime' it for it to be most effective (explained in the article).

Sadiesmomma · 10-29-2007, 08:46 AM

That's a great article Jennifer. Thanks! I'm off to look for one today *

Diesel-and-Kira · 10-29-2007, 08:54 AM

Is this the one that's referred to in the article?

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=family

caillou · 10-29-2007, 09:01 AM

I don't have this problem - yet (fingers crossed :wink: ) but i loved the article - especially the "but both dogs were
already well on their way to lying politely at my feet (yes, I believe
someone WAS in the kitchen, but it CERTAINLY wasn't either of US!). *" bit

Sounds like a great technique to use for all sorts of boundary problems - as long as you don't get carried away, a dog's a dog after all!

HannaBanana · 10-29-2007, 09:06 AM

One Gold Metal Counter Surfer here, as well as a Rookie learning. * * I feel your pain!! *We do have "Go Go Gadget Paw" in full effect in this picture!!

caillou · 10-29-2007, 09:09 AM

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: *Yes, it's so much easier to see the hilarious side when it's not happening in one's own home!

That is SO funny!

HannaBanana · 10-29-2007, 09:11 AM

Or, Hanna has the lets start at one end of the counters and move while still on the counter, around the kitchen to find some food. *One would think that you do not feed the dogs!

Nothing is safe, and constantly working on it

*Thanks for the article Jennifer, will have to check it out.

10-29-2007, 07:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
troublex2 New User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 2	Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! This is the last straw! My two boys, Bacio and Samson, have always been prone to counter surfing. Usually we hide every bit of food from them, tucking it away where they'd have to REALLY work to get it. I feed them well and regularly, and they seem to like their food. Also, I don't believe their counter surfing is a way to vent frustration or boredom...today we all went on a trip to the river where we exercised and they ran until they were frothy with joy. * Here is how they repay me!! Tonight I heard a crash, and saw that they had managed to eat an ENTIRE batch of cookies (that's 3 dozen cookies!!!) that I had left on a plate on the counter. I'd worked nearly 2 hours to bake them all. I was so furious, but I didn't catch them immediately in the act so I couldn't punish them...they would never have associated the two things; punishment and their act of food obsession. At least I know they appreciate my cooking. But really, there must be a way to teach them to respect the counters and tables in our house!!! If you can help me, please DO!

10-29-2007, 07:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Diesel-and-Kira Super User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,216	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! Maybe you can tempt them with some yummy food right on the edge of the counter. Then when they show interest, or attempt to jump up there, correct them right away. This way you're right there to catch them in the act. I'm sure after a few dozen repetitions they'll stop cruising the counters even when you're not around. __________________ Jennifer: Mom to 5 year old skin kid Karin

10-29-2007, 07:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
sharonL BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mississippi Gulf Coast Posts: 3,939	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! Well I dont know if I have any certain advice other then to agree with DieselsMom that you have to find a way to catch them in the act. I had a friend that used a squirt bottle filled with clean plain water and when she caught her Dobie puppy surfing she would squirt him. He hated it and learned quickly that the counter meant water squirt so he avoided the whole thing. *He was about 8 months when all this was going on. Maybe it is work trying...???.... __________________

10-29-2007, 08:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
Newcastle Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: MI Posts: 1,552	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! If I had a real problem with counter-surfing, this is the method I would use to cure it: http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/arc ... iondet.txt It has the advantages of a) working even if you're not right in the room and b) being an environmental correction rather than one added by you, which means the dog won't lose any trust in you. *You do need to 'prime' it for it to be most effective (explained in the article). __________________ Jennifer Walker Newcastle Boxers Mind ~ Body ~ Spirit ~ Naturally Detroit Boxer Examiner National Boxer Examiner I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones. ~John Cage

10-29-2007, 08:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Sadiesmomma BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: N.B Canada Posts: 4,220	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! That's a great article Jennifer. Thanks! I'm off to look for one today * __________________

10-29-2007, 08:54 AM	#6 (permalink)
Diesel-and-Kira Super User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,216	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! Is this the one that's referred to in the article? http://www.radioshack.com/product/index ... age=family __________________ Jennifer: Mom to 5 year old skin kid Karin

10-29-2007, 09:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
caillou Advanced User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: France Posts: 977	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! I don't have this problem - yet (fingers crossed :wink: ) but i loved the article - especially the "but both dogs were already well on their way to lying politely at my feet (yes, I believe someone WAS in the kitchen, but it CERTAINLY wasn't either of US!). " bit Sounds like a great technique to use for all sorts of boundary problems - as long as you don't get carried away, a dog's a dog after all! __________________ [align=center][/align] [align=center]Voltaire - 23/10/2004*[/align]

10-29-2007, 09:06 AM	#8 (permalink)
HannaBanana BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,169	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! One Gold Metal Counter Surfer here, as well as a Rookie learning. * * I feel your pain!! *We do have "Go Go Gadget Paw" in full effect in this picture!!

10-29-2007, 09:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
caillou Advanced User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: France Posts: 977	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Yes, it's so much easier to see the hilarious side when it's not happening in one's own home! That is SO funny! __________________ [align=center][/align] [align=center]Voltaire - 23/10/2004*[/align]

10-29-2007, 09:11 AM	#10 (permalink)
HannaBanana BoxerForums Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 8,169	Re: Sick of the Counter Surfing!!! Or, Hanna has the lets start at one end of the counters and move while still on the counter, around the kitchen to find some food. One would think that you do not feed the dogs! Nothing is safe, and constantly working on it Thanks for the article Jennifer, will have to check it out.

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