[troublex2]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[Diesel-and-Kira]

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

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

 

[caillou]

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 :lol:
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]

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]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:  Yes, it's so much easier to see the hilarious side when it's not happening in one's own home! :lol: That is SO funny!

 

[HannaBanana]

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.

 

[Sadiesmomma]

We don't have so much of a "counter" surfer yet..(Sadie can't reach the counters) BUT we do have an antique dinning room table surfer! GRRRR My poor grandparents antique table is taking a beating, it now looks like it has a design all around the edges...but it's just Sadie scratch marks  :evil:  We will have to refinish it when we finally have her trained on the "off" command.  

We just got new counters in our kitchen (stupid us) I'm sure Sadie will have a field day in about two weeks when she can reach them  8O

I'm going to look for one of those sensors today!

 

[southerngirls]

I feel your pain! Reese has recently started attempting to surf. I had a  brand  new loaf of bread on our bar and Reese will become very quiet when she is doing something she isnt supposed to. I turn around and the bread is in her kennel and she was abot to go to town on it. Luckily i caught her in time, saved the bread and all was well. She also got a hold of a brand new bag of new potatoes one evening. so far these are the two times  i KNOW of, but lord knows what else she has done that i never noticed!

 

[tootsie]

Yes...I have a surfer too! I pretty much just make sure nothing edible is on the counter anymore. My microwave has become a storage box lately!  :lol:

 

[DUKE01]

I only had this problem once.  I made these bars one Saturday and I decided that before I indulge I will give the dogs a bath.  I gave Duke a bath then started in on Tabs (our lab mix) it is always a struggle to give her a bath so once you are in there you don't need any interuptions.  I get her all soaped up and then I hear this loud crash, I shut Tabs in the bathroom and ran to the kitchen, my beloved bars were upside down on the floor and Duke was sitting there with a pouty look on his face.  I turn around and there sits Tabs in my livingroom getting soap all over the floor and of course she has to shake it all over the place.  

I was so mad, and Duke knew it, I couldn't even look at him because I knew if I did I would explode.  I cleaned up the mess, wrestled Tabs back into the bathroom and shut the door.  When I came out Duke was sitting there, so sad, I ignored him for like 15 mins, then we made up and he has never done it again.

 

[samsonsmom]

Sorry guys, as of now, I have been very lucky with the counter surfing and this goes back to Buck & Tia...never had to train them not to, they just didn't bother anything on the counter...I am sure my days are numbered tho, I can' t continue to be this lucky.  :lol: I have left roasts, chickens, batches of cookies, you name it, they have never touched it..Now if I left a side of venision out, Samson would, bad legs and all make a valiant effort to get up there  :lol: