clicker training

[Laura Deutsch]

I'm wondering if any of you use clicker training. This is the first dog we've used it with, and will be starting with a Family 1 class using clickers as well. I love many aspects of it, but am having difficulty with the counter surfing issue. Using a coin can or stuff on the counter to make noise is very "counter" the clicker philosophy. However, working full time and having little time to work with problem behaviors, I'm frustrated with the counter surfing issue. Other than constantly putting her in the crate when preparing meals, I'm wondering if any clicker people have found any other strategies when you don't have enough time to constantly click for the correct behavior. As we speak (I write) she has just jumped up to get some paper....there isn't even any food on the counter. Any suggestions? I have read the counter surfing posts, but clicker people might have other suggestions. I'll take anything!!!!!

[Lynda Kamrath]

We have used baby gates on the front door to keep the dogs from wandering outside while the door is open (particularly while vacuming). They have never questioned the use of gates. We also used mouse traps on the Christmas tree (at the suggestion of a friend). We just placed a couple of mouse traps strategically on the tree and they do look like ornaments. When the dogs touch the mouse trap, it clicks, and they stay away from the tree after that. Groucho Too is so tall, however, that his nose is right on the counter. He did stand up one day to check something out when he thought nobody was watching. Just saying his name questioningly was enough. He was down and looking embarrassed.

[Adina P]

Why NOT crate while you cook?  Cooking only takes a limited time and doesn't mean hours in a row of crate time.  I would totally crate...management to PREVENT practicing bad behaviors IS a big part of the philosophy behind clicker training.  Crate or tether so she can't reach the counters.  In the meantime you can condition a specific behavior WHILE you are in the kitchen or work toward solid down-stays so you can use those commands in the future when she's solid on her down-stays.  

[Laura Deutsch]

I guess I feel guilty about crating her when I prepare her food, or cook ours, because I work full time and when I'm home, I don't want her in the crate. I was just on the computer, which is around a counter from where I cook and there was no food there, but other stuff and she jumped up and pulled it down!!!! I was 4 feet from her. I think a lot of it has to do with not wanting her in the crate when I'm home. she is in the crate in the mornings for 3 and a half hours, then twice for 2 and a half hours, then with us from around 5 or 5:15 to about 9:30 when we go to sleep. I was home with her full time for 9 weeks, so it's very difficult. (she was crated then too, but not as consistently of course) Knowing that, Adina, do you still think it's okay to put her in the crate when I cook, AND when we eat? Hopefuly this stage won't last too long. As I said, we've never had this with any of our goldens or labs, so it's very new.

[Gail McHugh]

I think she just wants to get your attention like:
Look at me mom!
Play with me!
I'm here, lets do something!
Maybe before you start cooking you could play with her for a little while and wear her out so she naps while you cook.
I have found puppy day care to be very useful twice a week when i have a busy schedule

[Adina P]

If it is a choice between counter surfing OR crating...I would choose crating.  Or tethering to something sturdy low down (so she can't jump up) IF that is an option in the kitchen.  Think of it as an incentive for training...the sooner she is good at responding to cues reliably the sooner she earns freedom.  So keep up the good work of training so you can soon USE all those wonderful and useful commands.  Extra crate time is to buy you time without bad habit practice...the goal is to train so you can give more freedom :)u

[Laura Deutsch]

Thanks for the positive support and suggestions. I need to work on my guilt!!!!!
I think I'm going to try giving her total attention right when I get home for a while and then crate her (it's in the kitchen) while I'm cooking and hopefully she'll deal with the smells!!!!

[Lynne B]

I have three dogs, none of them enter the kitchen. I started with them when they were young, when they entered the kitchen I would body block them and walk them out just by directing my movements toward the entrance to the kitchen leaving them nowhere to go but out. I would say 'out' as I did this, and when they were out of the kitchen I would reward them. I do clicker train, but not for everything. I like clicker training when I need to capture a behavior that the dog does on it's own and that's the easiest way to do it, for instance, one of my dogs would wipe his paw on his face, it was very cute, so I started clicking and rewarding every time he did it, in time I replaced the clicker with a command 'wipe your face' and give him a treat, now he does it pretty much any time he wants my attention.

[shelly]

Maybe try many baking pans stacked criss-crossed right in front of a desired item (that if gotten won't cause harm).... the noise from the pans falling may eventually deter "the surfer"

[Minga & Malu & Costa]

I clicker trained and still used the coin can to deter from counter surfing. Worked like a charm. The trick is to not let the dog know that the can came from you.....be sneaky!

[Sandra Griffith]

You might try tethering your puppy to you personally. In that way your puppy will be right where you can keep a close eye on her but you don't have to isolate her.

[Susan and Sasha]

Hi Laura...
We are using clicker training...and it's working well with Sasha.
As far as counter surfing...we don't have any problem with this anymore.
Sasha is now 16 months...
When she was younger...she did like to surf the counters...but not for food...only for paper towels...LOL...
Anyway...we still didn't want her doing this...and didn't want to use the clicker during this time.
Our trainer recommended that we use a spray bottle of water...and a stern "NO" as we sprayed Sasha...they recommended that you spray them in their face.
Well...after doing this a number of times...this actually worked.
After a while...we only had to say "NO"...and clapped our hands loudly at the same time...and then...she totally stopped surfing all together.
This worked very well for Sasha.
So...even though she is clicker trained...there are other methods that are also used...depending upon the situation.
Sasha is also crate trained...but only goes in her crate when we go out (for a limited time)...and when she goes to bed at night...and...she "LOVES" her crate...and gladly walks right into it when it's time to go in...(smile)
Fortunately...I am home during the day...
I hope this has been helpful to you...and...if you have any other questions regarding clicker training...I would love to help you out...

[Jessica]

Our trainer suggested that if you cannot dedicate 100% of your time and attention to training than she needs to be either tethered to something, to you, or crated...I totally understand your not wanting to crate her after being at work all day...We have trained Marley to "place" in her bed while we (and/or the kids) eat because her nose now reaches the table...once we are done eating she is "free" to clean up the kid's mess on the floor...thankfully she has not taken to counter surfing but if she does she will have to place while we cook too...