Willow is a kitchen counter surfer. I'm diligent about not leaving anything there for her to self-reward, not even crumbs, but she persists. Only when I'm not in there; when I am, she sits outside the threshold. I was wondering if the stuff I use to clean the wooden work surfaces isn't removing all the smells with her sensitive nose, so she thinks there's stills something worthwhile up there. Which got me thinking about whether Simple Solution would work on there? Any experience? I've only used it on floors before but since there's only a very rare accident these days and I bought a gallon of the stuff, I have a lot left over
Re: Simple Solution on work surfaces? I don't think it's about smells, really. I just think it takes ages for something like this that has once been rewarded to stop happening. You'd love it to work so well with walking at heel or something useful though! ;D ;D ;D Charlie hasn't found food on the counter for months and months, but he'll still very lazily jump up and look around, just in case. He can be rewarded with anything though - in the past he'd get anything he could, even kitchen knives or scissors if they were left out. He often manages to get the oven glove, which my OH just will not put away. The oven glove is pretty good, nicely chewable and smells of food. Because of this, he's never going to quit completely, and I just don't care. I keep the kitchen tidy, or at least stuff pushed to the back of the counters, and that's that.
Re: Simple Solution on work surfaces? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=9590.msg138481#msg138481 date=1421835997] I don't think it's about smells, really. I just think it takes ages for something like this that has once been rewarded to stop happening. You'd love it to work so well with walking at heel or something useful though! ;D ;D ;D [/quote] That's the thing; she's never been rewarded for it with anything off the counters. I'm inclined to think that just the act of having a snoop is quite rewarding to her. She is a nosy little pooch! Maybe I just shouldn't worry about it; I'm quite fastidious about keeping surfaces clear, but I worry that DH won't put something away and she'll get it. That's more about training him than her, though!
Re: Simple Solution on work surfaces? Yeah, could be she is just nosey then! I just don't worry. I was mad when I first got Charlie, friends and family coming to the house were emailed written instructions about how to behave with my dog in advance! ;D ;D ;D Now, I'm just more relaxed. He's a pleasure to live with overall, but he puts his paws on the counter time to time. He jumps up too - only once, and is still, resting his paws on my waist to better says hello. I just don't care. The only thing I have to watch is that I don't suddenly get embarrassed at my dog's rubbish manners and try to stop him doing things I normally let him do. Like when he jumps up on people sitting down, to put his paws on their shoulders to give their ears a good washing. He tries to do this to the people at training - he is ever so gentle and careful, really good about getting his paws on their shoulders, never their faces*. Since we train positively everyone just tries to ignore him, I just tell them to gently push him down as he is never going to stop doing it just because they ignore him - at home he get squeals of laughter and cuddles. * I know what this sounds like, I do - mad. My dog is a skilled ear washer! : ;D ;D ;D
Re: Simple Solution on work surfaces? Thats the thing Julie, isn't you do relax. Otis is now allowed on my sofa on my bed, etc etc, he is given yogourt pots to lick out, applecores, plates to clean before going in the washer. He rules the roost ! Okay not quite. Thing is theres only me and him here, and I like it this way x
