Does anyone have any creative ways to discourage counter surfing?
Fortunately I have not had to use all of these but Babs may have to test them out......
1. Place loaded mouse traps UNDER sheets of newspaper - when they hit the paper, the traps go off. It will not hurt the dog as they are under the paper but the noise serves as a good deterrent.
2. Tie the coveted food to a metal bowl or colander and place the food as you would. When the dog grabs the food, the colander comes too and often bonks them on the head or makes such a horrible noise crashing to floor that is works. Use a bowl or colander light enough not to hurt him but big enough to have an effect. I have heard of this working very well.
3. If you catch him with his paws on the counter, make a fist and bop the paws between your fist and the counter. Not too hard but hard enough to make it unpleasant and he should remove his feet from the counter. I tried this with Babs and she just kept moving her feet back and forth on the counter - what a challenge she is :).
4. A scat mat - they can be bought through most pet supplies places. They deliver a small electric charge to the paws when touched. I do not advocate this method but it is one that can be considered.
Good Luck, Molly and the growing gang Charlottesville, VA
