| Author |
Topic : Counter Surfing Help |
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
 |
So Scooby is a countersurfer...
A bad one...he's snatched a knife from the sink and chased us around with it...funny now but scary at the time.
He has stolen a loaf of bread off the microwave on the countertop...
Etc Etc
Usually these incidents happen when we a) fall asleep on the couch or b) go to the bathroom.
I know one suggestion would be to either tether him to us or crate him when our eyes aren't on him. But is there anything else??
The crate we have for him is on the lower level, so it would be a pain to take him down everytime we need to use the bathroom.
|
GB
Basic User
Posts : 276
 |
Well, until he is trained - I would invest in cheap baby-gates to keep him out of the kitchen. Just be sure that if you buy the shorter cheap ones (some are 24" tall I think) to be sure and put them a little off the ground - otherwise they won't work if Scooby is the lab that I am picturing (reddish lab? just got him?). |
Everdale Goldens
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
^I agree. We did the same thing a while back. Just gate off your kitchen and keep him out of there when you aren't watching him. |
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
Unfortunately gates don't work in this house.
It's an open floorplan townhome so there really isn't a spot to put a gate up. There is not doorway/entry way to the kitchen that can be blocked off. There is a hallway but it leads to an office and we can't gate him there because there is too much paperwork and computer equipment.
He is starting obediance class next week, and our trainer mentioned using the Zone system, which from my understanding is an electric collar.
And yes Scooby is the reddish/yellow lab we got about a month ago.
|
FallenStarz
Premium Member
Posts : 1,000+
|
You can also set up traps on your counters. Building blocks, mousetraps set upside down (Theres a safer alternative to this.. don't remember the name, but they're little snaps that make the same noise as a mousetrap). Set them up and when he gets on the counter, they'll fall and startle him.
|
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
www.jbpet.com/displaygroup.aspx?displayid=2013&ns_md=CSE&ns_sc=Google&ns_cn=Google-Base&utm_source=GoogleBase&utm_medium=CSE&CAWELAID=397375681
Hmm maybe that would work? |
Gambit Great Danes
Premium Member
Posts : 134
|
My Danes used to be bad counter surfers but they learned their lesson. I put pepper all around the perimeter of the counter so every time they went to get something it would end up tasting like pepper from getting it on their lips or they would be just sniffing to see what was up there and would end up with a nose ful of pepper. Just not a very pleasant experience for them and they stopped in about a week.
I don't know if it's harmful or not to be exposed to that much pepper so I would look it up first before doing it but my parents did it with our Danes growing up so it's the only thing I really know to do to cure counter surfing.
Gambit |
Wildsyde
Premium Member
Posts : 5,000+
|
Don't know how wide your "open floor plan" opening to the kitchen is, but I used Xpen panels to block off my dining room from my living room when I had a dog that didn't like the other dogs. He lived in one half of the house, the others lived in the rest of the house. Works great for looong openings or openings that really aren't openings.
Other things, keep your counters clear of hazards. Mouse traps are good.
So nice having corgis, they don't get up on counters unless there's a chair nearby! |
WeimsRus
Basic User
Posts : 1,000+
|
Having a dog, myself, that is a CS expert. The traps work to a certian extent, until the dog realizes they are there and what they are. Keeping these things put away was the only thing that works for me. Bella can walk by and "Wind" the counter and tell if something is there she wants. You don't even have to leave the room, just turn you back and she will snatch something so quiet and quickly you wouldn't believe it. She is 5+ years old and we have been working on this since she was about a year. Our issue is you have to actually catch her on the counter to dicipline her. You can be baking cookies go to take some more out of the oven, poof, there are cookies missing from where they are cooling. You never heard and saw this dog in the kitchen. You really need to nip this in the bud, we have been trying and my suggestion is to keep everything put away and a young dog may forget about this. As they get older it gets extremely challanging to get them to stop.
It's all for the breed, Weims. |
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
So this morning we put a little pepper on the counter top he jumps at most often. As soon as I went into the bathroom he went into the kitchen to see what was available.
Since the countertops were peppered he got a spoon out of the sink....
It's not even food...it's just anything!
|
Soundtrack
Premium Member
Posts : 1,000+
|
this post has been edited 1 time(s)
With the Bassets, I've found that the easiest and least frustrating "method" is to simply not leave things on the counter.
Might try the pepper, though, just to see if it has any effect on Melody the incorrigible. |
WeimsRus
Basic User
Posts : 1,000+
|
this post has been edited 1 time(s)
Just a caution about pepper, having a culinary background I know what this can do to the soft tissue of the mucuse membraines in the eyes, nose and inside of the mouth/muzzle of anything. DRIED peppers can cause ulcer like burns in these areas. It is very painful and I know one person who, when touring a spice factory during my culinary school tenure, picked up a seemingly empty baggie an took a whiff to try and figure out what was in it. Straight to the Hospital, the bag had contained Cayanne Pepper 1500. This is hotter than what you can buy at your local store. Black pepper is not as hot, but I wouldn't want to eat even a quarter of a teaspoon and/or snort some myself. Just my opinion, but I wouldn't want to clean up the mess after I sprinkled it over my counters either. Pain in the tookus, but keeping things put away is an easier and safer option.
It's all for the breed, Weims.
ETA, Put your dry finger in a pile of pepper and see how much sticks. Then moisten your finger and see how much does. You are talking about membrains that are moist all the time, normally. Weims |
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
Thanks for that info about pepper.
Will have to rethink that.
We keep the counters pretty clean but he grabs things out of the sink or from the far back corners. It's impossible to put everything away due to the size and availability of storage.
|
WeimsRus
Basic User
Posts : 1,000+
|
quote
posted by Templar Knights
Thanks for that info about pepper.
Will have to rethink that.
We keep the counters pretty clean but he grabs things out of the sink or from the far back corners. It's impossible to put everything away due to the size and availability of storage.
Yep know about that. It's a hard thing when your dog is a "professional" and/or in training to be one. Bella has been a challange. One question, exactly how does a Basset counterserf. Would like to see video of this.
It's all for the breed, Weims. |
FallenStarz
Premium Member
Posts : 1,000+
|
She has a lab, not a basset.
In theory, keeping everything off the counters is a good idea. In practice however, its not always that simple. I'd rather at least TRY to discourage the dog from doing it and keep him from potentially hurting himself or others. |
maybee
Premium Member
Posts : 295
|
Note, this is a LABRADOR.
Honestly, easiest way? Don't keep stuff that has food on it on the counters. Wash your dishes as soon as you dirty them, and if you can't do that, take the dog with you.
Training? Also, honestly, once a Lab starts counter-surfing, you might reduce the frequency but no food will ever, really, be safe.
I've had that dog. It's easier to re-train the people than the dog. |
WeimsRus
Basic User
Posts : 1,000+
|
this post has been edited 1 time(s)
quote
posted by Soundtrack
With the Bassets, I've found that the easiest and least frustrating "method" is to simply not leave things on the counter.
Might try the pepper, though, just to see if it has any effect on Melody the incorrigible.
Knew I saw Bassets somewhere in this thread, Corgies too. My original question was, how do these dogs counterserf. Have seen other smaller breeds do this, but they have to be able to launch themselves off the floor onto the counter. Not just stand on their back legs and get what they want.
It's all for the breed, Weims. |
emilyccarroll
Premium Member
Posts : 288
|
Beagles move furniture.
If you watch America's Funniest Videos, 99% of the dogs on there that open the fridge are Labs; 99% of the dogs that get on the table/counter via a rolling chair are Beagles. |
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
I guess we'll keep trying to keep the counters clean..of everything...
Tonight he decided he likes paper towels and menards ads... |
Templar Knights
Premium Member
Posts : 2,000+
|
Here is the boy in question:
 |
11/4/2009 2:48:39 PM
11/4/2009 4:42:03 PM
