Counter Surfing

[LoveMyRott]

My Chewbacca. He tries so hard to behave, but when it comes to something on the counter or table he just can't help himself. I try not to leave things for him to get, but every now and then I slip up. He will grab the butter dish off the table and eat the whole stick. The other day he grabbed a box of girl scout cookies and ate the whole box. He did all this in the time it took me to go downstairs and empty the washer. ugh. I try to catch him, but I think he is just outsmarting me. I have left stuff on the counter and been just far enough away that I could hear him if he tried to get it, but of course then he doesn't touch it. I have tried baiting it with the bitter apple, but believe it or not he grabbed the piece of steak and ate it bitter apple and all. I have also tried tying the cans with pennies in them to something, but he won't take it then either. I am afraid he is going to grab something that will hurt him. Right now I am just trying my best to not leave anything where he can get it, but it's hard.

[RottnKid1]

Try going to the websites for Valley Vet (it may now be called Direct Pet), Omaha Vaccine, Dr.FosterSmith and JB Wholesale. You can order free catalogs from them and some have 0n-line stores. There's an item that's made which will administer a small shock when dog puts weight on it. I think it was actually made to train pets to stay off of furniture, but by the looks of it, you could use it just about anywhere. I don't usually advise resorting to shock methods, this may be the only way to curb this behavior since he's smart enough to realize when you're close by. I'll take a look at my catalogs today to see if I can find further info for you.

[~Robin~]

Just wanted to say..."Chewbacca"! What a great name! :D

I have the same problem with my boy. He's 28" at the shoulder, so it's not even an effort for him to grab stuff off the counter. He once grabbed an entire burger and inhaled it -- like, it was GONE -- in about ten seconds when I turned my back to grab something (he was quiet, too!). Joke was on him, though...it was a veggie burger! ;)

Luckily, Begbie is just dumb enough to do this stuff when I'm around, so he gets a pretty severe correction every time.

Let me know if you have any luck.

[pride-and-joy]

This link contains an article called "End counter surfing for good." It explains how to set up a "booby trap" with a string of cans tied to a scrumptious piece of meat. I haven't had to try it yet, but will keep it in the back of my mind as a possible startle tactic for later :D
http://www.athfar.homestead.com/Traininglinks.html

[ March 13, 2001: Message edited by: pride-and-joy ]