Bench Surfing

[luvsdogs]

shyfig and all

I use pecariously stacked tin cans along my bench tops. So if dog jumps up or sniffs, they fall off and clang and make a lot of noise and being tin cans are not much fun to play with. I usually put a cream or yogurt lid under the bottom can to stop any chance of rust.

I've heard of this & yet haven't tried it but would use empty drink cans instead.

[Malamum]

I've found the only thing that works is not to keep items on the benches that a dog might like.

That's what the microwave is for.

Behaviour that isn't rewarded (in this case self rewarded) is likely to decrease. You can speed up the decrease by adding an aversive (like the double sided tape) but the best and most enduring method of preventing it IMO is not to tempt the dog in the first place.

Completely agreed. We keep everything off the counters now and any cooling baking etc is kept either in or on top of the microwave, or on top of the fridge.

We do exactly the same thing - either on top of or in the microwave.

I can't even leave dirty pans in the sink otherwise they get licked clean. Filling them up with water isn't enough either as the water just gets drunk. I always have to remember to fill them up with soapy water before leaving them unattended.

We just run a clean bench policy in our house. No food item is ever left out unattended.

[aussielover]

My pup used to do this as well, but she seems to have grown out of it.

You could try setting him up- have a tasty item on the bench and stand back, maybe hidden, and wait for him to go for it. When he does, you could then correct him. It is important that you correct him before he grabs hold of the item though, ideally just as he is jumping up. If he is allowed to grab the item, he will be reinforced, instead of corrected.

Verbal correction may be enough, but you may have to use something like a water squirt.

I personally don't believe in 100% prevention in these cases, i think it is a bit ridiculous to have to hide everything off the benchtop all the time. The dog, (especially at 8 months of age) should know that this behaviour is completely unacceptable. I expect to be able to prepare a meal and leave the kitchen for a few minutes and not have the dog up on the bench!!!

It is different with a baby puppy of course.

[shyfig]

My pup used to do this as well, but she seems to have grown out of it.

You could try setting him up- have a tasty item on the bench and stand back, maybe hidden, and wait for him to go for it. When he does, you could then correct him. It is important that you correct him before he grabs hold of the item though, ideally just as he is jumping up. If he is allowed to grab the item, he will be reinforced, instead of corrected.

Verbal correction may be enough, but you may have to use something like a water squirt.

I personally don't believe in 100% prevention in these cases, i think it is a bit ridiculous to have to hide everything off the benchtop all the time. The dog, (especially at 8 months of age) should know that this behaviour is completely unacceptable. I expect to be able to prepare a meal and leave the kitchen for a few minutes and not have the dog up on the bench!!!

It is different with a baby puppy of course.

I always try to catch Jed out and correct him before he grabs the item. Methods to abate the behaviour include...as well as a very strong NO...a handclap, water squirt, water and lemon and pepper squirt, doublesided tape, etc etc....so I am on it all the time (my boys as well) as I am consistent.

His surfing isn't just limited to food items or the kitchen...they include pillows, doonas, blankets, laundry items, etc, etc. He is never unsupervised (when I have a shower or go shopping my boys take in turns supervising Jed and they also are very consistent) but he is quick or silent and stealthy! So if I allow him into my room so I can check emails etc as quick as a flash he will jump up on my bed and take a pillow or blanket or remove it very, very slowly while I am busy.

I agree it is not acceptable behaviour from an 8 mth old dog.....but just can't find an answer to correct it.

I am now trying the "you must stay outside if you can't behave inside" approach which will drive us mad as he bangs doors and windows.

Edited December 27, 2010 by shyfig

[JulesP]

Sounds like a dog that needs a job to do and is supplying his own work. What is his training/walking regime? Were did you get him from?

[shyfig]

Sounds like a dog that needs a job to do and is supplying his own work. What is his training/walking regime? Were did you get him from?

Well yes he could be creating work for himself.

He came from a breeder in Grafton through Dogzonline.

Jed is walked a couple of klm's twice a day...and has a huge 1/4 acre block which he has full access to. My boys play with him heaps (they are 11, 13 and 15) and he is involved in eveything we do. He has 2 to 3 training sessions per day and "all the time" training as in all sorts of situations during the day can be used as training or to reinforce training.

As my boys are home schooled and I don't work we are home all the time so Jed does not get left alone during the day. He has our full companionship and attention.

I must say however that the "not allowed inside when naughty " tactic is working real well today. If he takes something and starts running for the door I say "Drop or out" and after several bouts outside he is now dropping the item. This may be the tactic needed!

[dancinbcs]

None of my dogs would ever dare take anything from a table or bench. They are never allowed full run of the house as puppies unless I am watching them and the very first time they put a paw on the table or kitchen bench, I slam my hand down on the bench as loudly as possible and growl at them. This usually only needs doing once and they get the message loud and clear that the benches, tables and all they contain, are mine and not to be touched. You have to really sound like you mean it then praise straight away when they back away.

As adults they all have full run of the house and never touch anything they shouldn't. I don't tempt them by leaving anything really tasty out if I leave them unattended because once it becomes a learnt behaviour it is harder to fix. My dogs will stand on their back legs to look at what is on the bench but will not put a paw on it.