I have a day of work today....just came home for lunch to discover Simba ate our supper that I had put in the crock pot for later. I had put the crock pot right up against the wall as far away from the edge of counter as possible. Seriously, I can't handle this counter surfing. Not happy.
Re: I can't take much more of this Lisa, Murffi was a thief of anything edible in the kitchen. In my mind the only way to deal with it is absolute and total elimination of any opportunity for the dog to get to edible stuff on the kitchen counter. Eventually over quite a long period of time it will lead to the extinction of the behaviour. Every time Simba finds even the tiniest morsel of food on the work tops the behaviour will be reinforced again. For a long time I had the tidiest cleanest work tops ever. Murffi has stopped doing it now but like I said it took a long time and very strict management and vigilance on my part.
Re: I can't take much more of this Honestly, I am certainly trying to eliminate any opportunities for reward. But just when I think I have got it all, he will find something I didn't think he could reach. No more crock-pot, obviously. It's just so maddening. So now, could you leave food on the counter and Murfi wouldn't go after it??
Re: I can't take much more of this Oh dear Lisa....... I'm sorry I can't offer you any practical help. I wish I could. All I can say is that you have come a long way with Simba, but I feel your upset and frustration. I don't blame you. Hang on in there and have a big glass of wine. :'( jac x
Re: I can't take much more of this [quote author=Lisa link=topic=3605.msg40310#msg40310 date=1386617522] Honestly, I am certainly trying to eliminate any opportunities for reward. But just when I think I have got it all, he will find something I didn't think he could reach. No more crock-pot, obviously. It's just so maddening. So now, could you leave food on the counter and Murfi wouldn't go after it?? [/quote] Yes, he doesn't go looking for it anymore!
Re: I can't take much more of this But I can't tell you how long it will take for the behaviour to become extinct in Simba's case. It depends on how many times he has been lucky and found food in the past. :-\
Re: I can't take much more of this O Lisa, bad Simba! I so know! I think I'm super good keeping it all clear, then I just forget one thing.... In Charlie's case, it's anything, not just food. Everything is packed away now! Luckily, I quite like it.
Re: I can't take much more of this Oh Lisa , cant add anything, just to send a virtual hug, naughty lad :'(
Re: I can't take much more of this Oh dear I agree with Heidrun - total elimination of food is the only answer. My old Lab was a reverse Houdini - he could break into anything that had food into it. He taught us well....and anyone who came to visit...
Re: I can't take much more of this Lisa, I am sorry but we had to do the same thing, ALL temptation removed, especially when you have a tall dog like Simba and Charlie Heidrun, how did Murffi reach to counter surf? ;D
Re: I can't take much more of this He can jump on top of the work tops! He is a cocker, they can and will jump onto anything no matter how awkward the space might be. 8) ;D
Re: I can't take much more of this A worktop isn't very high for a cocker, they appear to have vertical climbing abilities equivalent to spiderman
Re: I can't take much more of this [quote author=bbrown link=topic=3605.msg40336#msg40336 date=1386623628] A worktop isn't very high for a cocker, they appear to have vertical climbing abilities equivalent to spiderman [/quote] I can just imagine Murffi now scaling the scary heights of a worktop ;D ;D
Re: I can't take much more of this [quote author=heidrun link=topic=3605.msg40335#msg40335 date=1386623506] He can jump on top of the work tops! He is a cocker, they can and will jump onto anything no matter how awkward the space might be. 8) ;D [/quote] Wow I had no idea, thought you would be safe from counter surfing with a little cocker spaniel ;D
Re: I can't take much more of this On the bright side of today's misadventure, the Christmas tree was intact.... :
Re: I can't take much more of this [quote author=Lisa link=topic=3605.msg40365#msg40365 date=1386628915] On the bright side of today's misadventure, the Christmas tree was intact.... : [/quote] Just a shame you and the family don't want tree ornaments for your supper... Bad Simba. If removing anything edible isn't realistic (depends on what space you have in your kitchen...), what about confining Simba elsewhere? What is he used to when you go out? Is there an alternative dog-proof space?? Clare
Re: I can't take much more of this Oh goodness,Lisa,what a little bugger!im just catching up now....he's nothing if not determined is he?i know you will have gone out thinking he will never get that in a million years. My mums redsetter is 6 and still a terrible thief,don't despair though,reading Heidrun's comments he's never had a chance for his skill to become extinct....he was actually quite seriously Ill when I was there in September after stealing a genoa cherry fruit cake the worse thing ever!.....apart from your supper! Guess Pizza Hut find it quite hard to deliver to you this time of year too Siiiiiiiiimmmmmmbbba!
Re: I can't take much more of this [quote author=lynnelogan link=topic=3605.msg40460#msg40460 date=1386697691] there is no food on the tree lisa [/quote] But there is lovely crunchy woodeny pine-coney, things....or at least, there WERE.....
