COUNTER SURFING

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

HAVE A DOODLE THAT COUNTER SURFS? WHAT DID THEY GET AND HOW'D YOU SOLVE IT?

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

I have a counter surfer. But, he only does it when no one is around. He steals anything 'paper' off the kitchen counter (ok. he also stole a cooked lobster tail (already drizzled in butter) right off my husband's dinner plate, but who can blame him for that!), and goes straight for the toothpaste when its within reach, from the bathroom counter. He always gets a stern, "Not for you!",as he freely gives up the item (even the lobster), but that does nothing for the actual act of surfing, the reprimand only addresses the property issue (because of course he prances right in, and plops his treasure down right in front of us) I've tried to set him up with the cookie sheet loaded with a treat, sitting precariously on the edge of the counter, in hopes that he will tip it off into the floor, and scare himself. Nope. Doesn't work, and I've tried it a number of times. He puts his paws to the left of it, or to the right of it, eyeballs whats on it, and then moves on...like, he knows he's being set up! Which, of course, he is! I've even run in, and tried to startle him with a loud sound, which does work really well right then,... but he still continues. Any other full proof suggestions will be greatly appreciated!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

My favorite "bad dog", Donna's Bear, counter surfing and scoring big time!

[Liza, Halle and Finn]

Yeah! I've totally seen that maneuver! Too funny. The good news about having a counter thief in the family... it's made me a much better house keeper because I don't dare keep things out!!

[Eva]

Too Funny with the pictures above. Was it a tube of liver sausage? They are so agile. I forgot about clearing out my counters, but now with 2 doodles it's a must. Before the doodles, I had short cocker spaniels and it never crossed my mind that they could counter surf. My Malibu for the first time in the 3 years we've had her, helped herself to 2 chicken breasts ala orange right out of the pan on the stove! I'm glad she didn't burn herself, and the stove was off, and we were in the other room eating dinner. We came back to put stuff away and there she was, standing so proudly enjoying her meal! What a brat. Eva, Malibu and Willow

[Lynne B]

both my dogs are trained not to go in the kitchen, but the clever devils that they are found a way around that, I posted it in the garbage thread, but here it is in case you missed it:
" I had a funny thing happen here last week, but unfortunately didn't get a picture of it, my kitchen counter separates the kitchen from the family room, the dogs don't go in the kitchen no matter what so I just don't worry about that, and the family room is at a lower level, so the counter is too high for them to reach from the family room, or so I thought.. I had some steaks on the counter defrosting & left the room for a minute. About 2 minutes later I hear a huge CRASH and run back to find one of the bar stools that was adjacent to the counter in the family room knocked over and both dogs standing next to it trying to look all innocent with steaks hanging out of their mouth. Apparently Beck had figured out that he could reach the counter by climbing up on a bar stool in the family room, amazingly he was able to balance on it long enough to grab 2 steaks before it fell over"

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I don't allow my dogs in the kitchen or bathroom...these both are off limits...but the best way to teach a dog not to counter surf is and this might seem cruel but boy after 1 or 2xs they don't do it again...get a few mouse traps and set them, than you turn them upside down on the counter and cover them with a light kitchen towel. You have to be very carefull doing this so you don't set off the traps, but when your dog goes up and sets them off, it scares the tar out of them and they will never do it again. The towel is somewhat protection so the trap does not get their paws or noses. Do not let your dog see you setting up these traps..do it when they are outside or crate them for a few minutes. I have never seen a dog this did not work on, and was recommended to me years ago by my dog trainers.

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

A bunch of cookie sheets with a lip hanging off work better then "mouse traps." That is not a good idea.

Put the cookie sheets up and once they come crashing down, the sound alone should send them running.

[Kathy Wilson]

I like the cookie sheets idea! 'cept for one thing.....my nerves! LOL, but seriously a great idea!

[Lynne Fowler-Oodles of Doodles]

It only takes once or twice and counter surfing is over. Well, buttered lobster or a juicy steak might make it null and void. I have not tested that.

[Kevin Lackey]

Brody likes to counter surf. He is a pest at dinner because he's so big, he doesn't beg... he just surfs! I hate having to crate him at dinner time, but he's so smart, my kids don't stand a chance. LOL! I'm gonna try the cookie sheet thing.

He got a lick out of my wife's coffee cup yesterday, followed by an adorable face like.... "Hmmm, Dunkin really is better than Starbucks."

[Chris & Boys]

Well for crying out loud! I would have jumped up and stole the lobster tail off your hubby's plate too! LOL. I have the same problem. He takes stuff out of the sink, off the counters and on and on. He knows to stop when we tell him "off" or "leave it". It stops him from taking the item of interest, but it does not stop him from surfing, especially when we are gone. I have tried soda cans filled with coins, spray bottles, slapping a newspaper on the counter nothing deters him from stopping the behavior.

[Jeannine]

Gamine NEVER jump on any counter but Thalie... it is her speciality! I did the cookie sheet and it is working for a while. She will start again after a few days of counter free and I have to start all over again. I have a little spray bottle that she hate. She got a few drops of water when I spray one of our cats who was "destroying" the patio screen door and she hate that. So just showing the bottle will stop her for that time.