Countersurfing - What do you think?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I copied this article from DogDaysLA.com

With so many doodle families having this problem I thought I would share it. What do you think? Could it work? Has this kind of training worked for you? Any other suggestions? What has worked for you?

 

TRAINING101

Teach Your Dog the “Off” Command

WITH JACQUELINE GAILLARD

One of the biggest requests I have as a trainer is, “How do I get my dog to get off of furniture, people, kitchen counters, etc.?” The answer is the “Off” command. This is a simple instruction for your dog rather than a reprimand. By using a cue/command instead of reprimanding your dog will help them build confidence in themselves and their relationship with you. It is extremely important to build a training relationship with your dog that is positive so that they look forward to training and answering your cues. New dogs, puppies, and rescue/shelter dogs need direction without the negativity of saying “No” to them over and over again. Just as with children, if you are told, “you are bad” (which “no” really means if you hear it over and over), you determine that you are bad and behavior that is acceptable is no longer your dog’s or the child’s goal. If your efforts are rewarded you desire to do better. One of the main goals of training is to get desired behaviors from your dog rather than the undesirable behaviors and positive reinforcement is the best way to make it happen. Using cues with a positive tone of voice will accomplish what you desire without negative side effects.

One of the easiest ways to teach your dog this behavior is to stand in the kitchen where many dogs try to put their paws up on the counters, or on you to get to whatever food there might be. In this environment your dog is more likely to try the behavior repeatedly, giving you the chance to train the “off” cue/command. Every time your dog gets up on something or someone you do not want them on, give the cue “Off” and point to the ground. The second all four of the dog’s paws hit the ground say “yes,” “yeah,” “good,” or whatever you have been using to mark desired behavior. The most important part of the teaching process is to reward your dog the second all four paws hit the floor. This is the moment your dog is waiting for, they are waiting to be treated or praised in some fashion. You may have to show your dog the treat to “bait” him/her to the floor. Again, the moment all of the dog’s paws touch the ground you say your “yes, yeah, good, etc.” positive reinforcement words and give the dog the treat.

Just as with any behavior you want your dog to continue, you must practice it many times in the beginning. Initially you should practice for a few minutes several times a day with food. After you feel as though your dog has learned the behavior, take it to another place, such as the couch or a person. Food/treat or other rewards are the best way to get your dog’s attention. You know what their favorite things are, use them to reward this and any other desired behaviors.

 

Jacqueline earned degrees in both Animal Training and Animal Behavior and has trained a variety of wild and domesticated animals including hyenas, big cats, monkeys, bears and of course dogs. She’s a member of ABMA, APDT, IACP and the West Valley Bird Society. One of the most qualified trainers in LA, call or email Jacqueline to discuss training your dog! 818-955-5364; email: [e-mail] or visit her website: www.bluesmoon.net

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Off is what is used here. One trainer did say use no... but I have always said, Off. Starlit is still a big counter surfer, however she knows this is not acceptable but they eventually get it--but the OFF command works. I do not have cookies /treats glued to me so my dogs are not rewarded any longer when given the OFF command. I do smile and say thank you many times. By this age I think we are done learning the Off command and now Off without a treat , a nice thank -you from me is just fine.

As for the bed, the sofa, and the cats, OFF is also used. NO--well we use that command loudly but rarely. It is a firm demanding and done when a dog is going toward something dangerous so this is not very often and usually it is the loud tone, not particularly the word NO that they are responding to in our voice.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Leave it is also a good command to use instead of NO.

In my opinion it is more what you Want your dog to do, and not responding to what your dog is actually doing..... and no is overused.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We use both the Off and Leave It commands. Off is for just that... off the counter, people, etc and Leave It we use when the dogs are not to touch something (like the cat or DH's supper on the coffee table).

[F, Calla & Luca]

Yup, off is the operative word here for beds when you want to make them, people ,counters etc. Works well. I tell them they are good when they obey, about a million times a day it seems and I think they appreciate that. As for no, I have a noise, uhuh like, and they know that means NO. Leave often follows "uhuh".

[Adina P]

I think any word or cue or command that tells your dog to 'get off of something' is fine but I don't think it is as useful for counter-surfing.  Just my random thoughts here:  If your dog is allowed to get on furniture and sometimes you want to tell your dog to 'get off the furniture' then fine.  But few if any dogs are ever 'allowed' to counter-surf.  Right!?  So for 'you should NEVER do this' type activities I don't think teaching your dog to remove himself from the counter instills the 'NEVER get on the counter in the first place idea'.  And the 'word' hardly matters...it is what you teach the dog a word means.  So I don't think 'NO' is a wrong word to use.  It's just a word to your dog and a dog is NOT going to develop an inferiority complex from hearing it over and over (as a child might).  The only downside of saying it 100 times a day is it becomes background noise and ineffective if not followed by any consequence.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

For us the problem was we use down for just that, lay down. So, the first instinct was to say down or get down -- we pretty much got lucky on the counter surfing though as they sort of just grew out of it. I will however start trying this with their jumping up on people and see if I can get that to work -- if I can possibly stop just saying down.

It was cute though when Rufus was here, he didn't have to jump up to see what was on the counters, he would just walk by and look .... not used to having one that tall. He never took anything though.

[Lesley, Wellington & Bingley]

Yeah Welly just takes a peek at the lower counters - and sticks his nose up a bit to sniff at the higher ones! =)



'Yes - I think I've got something here... moving in to locate the cookie....'

'Bingo... I have a visual. Turning charm up to maximum "mmmm, looks like a great cookie! Pretty please...?"'

'with a cherry on top...?'

[F, Calla & Luca]

Really short doodles must be easier : )

[F, Calla & Luca]

Visitors have a hard time with Off. They often say down , which confuses the issue since to us it's also lay down.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Down vs. Off is really confusing. Down is as abused almost as much as NO and I notice my sons or neighbors say no to my dogs too... especially since Spud insists on Jumping on people until they say the correct word. It is like he tries to get away with it until the command OFF is giving.

As for Adina's comments: No really would give a dog a complex if that is the only word you use. NO no no no no.... Starlit is insecure so we are being firm with using the correct terms and commands at all times so she KNOWS what she is supposed to be doing right... praise praise praise... Not doing wrong.

OKay, Adrianne. Lesson Two Please. We are ready.