counter surfing

[Debbie Daniels]

I have an adorable six month old labradoodle that loves to get up on my counters and my desk and tips how to break this bad habit ?

[Mindy Rapp]

Let me know if you figure out how to stop it.  Mine loves to get up on stuff.  She's not just limited to the counter, anything she can get her paws on she stands up on.

[Debbie Daniels]

It's driving me crazy .. I can't put a thing down for a minute ...she only does it when I'm out of the room and she is faster than lighting ... lol 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Lucy was terrible with this when she was young (Oscar not at all... it had to have been Lucy's good influence, as she was 3 yrs old when we brought Oscar home). There are several things you can try  to get past this phase more quickly. I think a loud, unexpected noise is the best deterrent. Either one they cause themselves during the act of counter surfing, or one you initiate without their knowledge of it coming from you. You can stage a 'booby trap' with a flat cookie sheet and some pot lids and empty pop cans (with small rocks inside and the tops taped up) on top, then attach a string to an enticing toy, bagel or other treasure and the other end to the cookie sheet (with strong tape). Place the 'bait' item near the front edge of the cookie sheet for easy access. When the puppy takes the bait, everything falls to the floor, making a loud, unexpected racket. It can be enough to stop the behavior in its tracks if its done right.

The other method I'd highly recommend is to get a can of 'Pet Corrector', an aerosol spray that emits a very loud hissing sound (you can find it all over the internet and probably at Petco stores too, since they carry it online). Keep it handy in the kitchen and when your puppy's paws hit the counter, spray Pet Corrector behind your back. You want to time it so its exactly when their paws hit the counter. They've got to see it as cause and effect. This method may work after just one time too. I use Pet Corrector for excessive barking, and I've got to admit I didn't think it would work. It took just a few times of using it consistently after telling my dogs, "enough barking", that now they immediately stop barking when I give the command. The hissing sound the spray makes stops them in their tracks. I plan to use it for other unwanted behaviors as well (like Lucy's jumping up when excited).

Hope this helps.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Great ideas!

[Debbie Daniels]

Wow thanks , I'll do the pans in the morning ! I'll let you know how it turns out .. 

[Marcia & MoneyPenny]

Thanks for these suggestions. I hate the counter surfing. Will try both of these.

[Debbie Daniels]

I placed the pans lids, tin plates anything that could make a loud noise on my desk last night before I went to bed , I let her out of the crate this morning and right to the desk she went , I heard the pans fall and she ran to me , scared ~ I didn't say a word I just went and picked up everything and took it to the kitchen counter, so far she hasn't touched the counter or the desk ...I think I'll do this about 3 or 4 days just to make sure and to give her time to get the idea ~ Thanks so much for sharing , truth this is the only thing Miss Beasley does that is bad ... I find it odd that I leave everything on my coffee table she never touches it , just when she has to reach up for it !  Everyone have a great day and hug your doodle from Miss Bea and myself ! 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

That's good news! Thanks for reporting back!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Hooray!

[Kelly & Zoe]

I've found that as *soon* as you see your dog even attempt to counter surf, make a loud noise - clap hands, sharp voice 'No', coins in a can - that's seemed to work for us.  I never had it together enough to set up pans/lids or something that would  come crashing down to make a loud noise, but same concept.  Works pretty well for us.  I also don't keep a lot of food around on the counter unless I'm in there cooking. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

Unfortunately, it didn't work for us with Lucy. That was the method I used exclusively and I swear the counter surfing went on for months! (I'll admit she's very willful, and was quite a challenge as a puppy.) We don't leave food on the counter, either, except during dinnertimes. Lucy was so bold she'd do it when we were sitting just feet away! Wish I'd known about other methods back then.

[Kelly & Zoe]

Oh no!  Boy these doodles can be willful sometimes!  Love 'em anyway :-)