Counter Surfing

[Cheysmom]

I have a 6 month old German Shepherd puppy that jumps up on the counters. I have tried pop cans filled with marbles (he takes the cans and wants to play with it), double stick tape and just pushing him off and saying "Off". None of this seems to work. Any suggestions???

[jude09]

Hello Cheysmom,

Simply click on the sharda newsletter below about jumping dogs;

Jumping Dogs : Eliminate Bad Habits!

[Sarah]

I am so laughing Cheysmom, I'm sorry. I strongly encourage you to now enroll your surfer in obedience class, as soon as you can.

This German Shepherd believes that he is Alpha in the house, and is not taking you serious at all. Obedience class will teach you how to be the Alpha in the house so your dog will respect and trust you, and listen to you when you speak....

[Cheysmom]

I am so laughing Cheysmom, I'm sorry. I strongly encourage you to now enroll your surfer in obedience class, as soon as you can.

This German Shepherd believes that he is Alpha in the house, and is not taking you serious at all. Obedience class will teach you how to be the Alpha in the house so your dog will respect and trust you, and listen to you when you speak....

I don't understand the laughing??? I have taken him to puppy class and I am a trainer but the usual suggestions that I and everyone else gives isn't working. I thought maybe someone else had a different approach. I just joined this forum and after your "laughing" comment, I'm not sure it is what I thought it was. Didn't appreciate it. He is not the Alpha in the house and he does know that. I have a six year old shepherd and have had shepherds all my life so I know all about Alpha.

Thanks for your help???????

[Lee at Delayre]

I would suggest removing everything from the counter he is surfing and place pots and pans stacked so that when he goes up onto the counter they crash on top of him (like a house of cards}
Don't use cast iron you don't want to hurt him just scare him .You can also use stacked soda cans with pennies inside anything that will scare him Until he is totally trained you might try tie downs in every room . Guide dog schools use them . Short leashes attached somewhere in every room . You can hitch him up when working in the room . You can make him sit say and be quiet while you do your chores. You can also use obedient disobedience . This is also used in guide dog schools. Basically you tell him to do something and then correct him for doing it . Take him to the counter(s) on training leash and choke and encouage him to put his feet on the counter when he dose in you deepest nastiest voice roar NO OFF and if you need a leash corretion . Keep doing it untill he ignores the command and then immedialy a lot of praise and a treat. Then do it again. Do it at every counter he surfs on . Do it several times a day . If you are there let him run loose and set him up for the "house of cards" If not at home and you are going to be away no more than 3 or 4 hours either keep himin a puppy proofed area you can itally trust or put him in a dog cage. I like vari crates There are also real cheap alarms The kind you put by your door so that if an intruder enters your house it will fall over and alarms go off . That might also work on the counter Place enough of them that he has knock one over.

[ShardaBaker]

I don't understand the laughing??? I have taken him to puppy class and I am a trainer but the usual suggestions that I and everyone else gives isn't working. I thought maybe someone else had a different approach. I just joined this forum and after your "laughing" comment, I'm not sure it is what I thought it was. Didn't appreciate it. He is not the Alpha in the house and he does know that. I have a six year old shepherd and have had shepherds all my life so I know all about Alpha.

Thanks for your help???????

Hello cheysmom and welcome to our forum.

I don't think Sarah meant anything with her reply, I think she was just amused by you and your dog and meant nothing to insult you by
laughing.

We are all friends here and are simply trying to help you. Before you say that a certain approach work, let me ask you, how much effort
and time did you give to trying certain methods out? Remember that certain techniques will take a while to work and that you
have to be patient with it.

I have a newsletter here that may be able to help you and your problem.

Simply click on the link below to read it;

Dog Obedience Training - How To Deal With Disobedient Dogs

I hope you understand that we are all simply trying to help you cheysmom and not to insult
you in any way.

We apologize if we have offended you in any way.

[mia]

Hi Cheysmom,

I know for a fact that Sarah didn't mean to offend you, she is certainly not that way. Although you have to admit it is pretty hilarious to see a GS on the counter, my daughter has one that just turned 1 year and if I saw her on my counter I don't know what I would do. I would be in total shock because she is so large.

If you are home, keep him on a leash and make him stay with you as you work around the kitchen, and you could also try foil on the counter and that may startle him or also try aluminum pie pans, anything that will make noise if he jumps up. I would never leave him alone with full run of the house if you will be gone. He is still a puppy and thinks everyday and everything is playtime. How he ever discovered the countertop is beyond me.

Good Luck,

Mia

[Cheysmom]

Thanks for the suggestions. I like the short leash idea and also the obedient disobedience tactic. I will try both of them one at a time and let you know the progress. Again, thanks for the help.

[newbear]

Hi, I saw a youtube video on solving counter surfing and thought it may help you. Here is the link: YouTube - Solving Counter Surfing- Clicker Dog Training. Keep us posted.

[Cheysmom]

Maybe you are misunderstanding me...he only puts his front paws up on the counter not his whole body. If that were the case, my whole kitchen would be destroyed and yea, that would be funny!