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How do I train 'kitchen manners'?

15 replies

belindarose · 03/11/2011 12:24

5.5 mo springer is doing well. Mostly happy with a chew toy and some walks. However, he's started jumping up much more at kitchen counters and the table and has realised he can actually jump to get a bit more height. Obviously we've tried to make sure he is never rewarded for this, but on occasion he's been lucky and grabbed himself something special!

How do you deal with this obviously very doggy behaviour? He responds quite well to 'off' but not immediately as he likes to see if he can grab something first.

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DejaWho · 03/11/2011 13:53

Very very clear worktops! Everytime he scores a jackpot and gets something he's getting it reinforced! One of mine has really mastered the rule that if you're in the kitchen with me, you sit on your bed out of the way and you might get a little taster, the other... not so good and I'll admit I got that sick of greyhound "help" with the cooking the other day that I've resorted to putting a baby gate at the kitchen door to buy me a bit of peace and sanity! Also bins with a lockable bit on them... for one of mine, the bin is just a larger version of a Kong and a treasure trove of delights - although we went to the hospital yesterday and forgot to put the bin out in the garden like we normally do and returned to a full, nice smelly bin untouched!

(Currently have one very mournful greyhound staring at me through the bars since I've left them in there for their paws to dry off - if she could sing - the theme tune to Cell Block H would probably be going if the look on her face is anything to go by)

belindarose · 03/11/2011 13:56

Hmm, thanks. They don't just suddenly grow out of it then? Didn't think so! Thought the solution might well involve me being tidier! He can leap the babygates now.

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DejaWho · 03/11/2011 14:12

Scuttle will no doubt be along to tell the sad tale of the butter dish at some point.

There's a kikopup video on youtube about stopping counter surfing but I haven't watched it in a good while so can't remember what it says exactly

belindarose · 03/11/2011 14:24

I'll have a look, thanks. Looking forward to hearing about the butter dish! My mum's border terrier once managed a whole birthday cake and a box of toffee.

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ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 03/11/2011 14:34

I have no answers. If Jasper does manage to snaffle something, I remove it from him (if I can catch him). But he's much more fond of tearing off with rubbish/contraband from the dishwasher.

DejaWho · 03/11/2011 14:35

Mine when we first got him found my mum's secret Xmas yummies stash when we were staying at hers (in our defence it was a last minute farewells run to a dying friend in intensive care so we may well not have swept the room as thoroughly as we could have) - managed to polish off an entire chocolate yule log. Thankfully it was an elcheapo shiteo one with naff all actual chocolate in - but you could still clearly identify the chocolate and cream layers upon them exiting the dog and entering the poo bag.

ByTheWay1 · 03/11/2011 19:48

Take a look at the kikopup clicker training stuff on youtube - she is GOOD!

Slubberdegullion · 03/11/2011 19:55

Do you clicker train? The suggestions to look at the kikopup you tube clips I agree with whole heartedly. She is awesome.

I would take two approaches. Firstly, as much as is feasibly possible I would make it impossible for him to reward himself, as Deja says, for counter stealing. So all food to the back of worktops and everything put away before you leave the room.

Secondly I would clicker train him to go to his bed, crate, rug whatever when you are preparing and eating food. I'm happy to tell you how I did it if you are interested. It might be a long post so I'll hold back until you say yes Grin

alp · 03/11/2011 23:05

Yes please!!! From the owner of a pup who jumped on the dining table at my parents and ate a tub of sour cream last weekend. BlushBlush

She was then found catwalking down the middle of the table on various occasions looking for more goodies

(never done it in our house though!)

She has just got her Bronze Class rosette so not a complete hooligan Wink Grin

Slubberdegullion · 04/11/2011 09:58

Oh dear @ tub of sour cream Grin. My parent's golden once stole an entire Stilton one year. That was a fun few days of poop scooping.

Ok so this is how I have done it (always a work in progress though Wink).

Basically you have to make the dog going to its bed while you are eating/cooking a potentially more rewarding experience than mithering you at your ankles, or jumping up/stealing food.

If you use a clicker it's easier but if not you can still do the same thing.

Get EXTREMELY high value treats for your dog. Kibble pfft. Cheese, liver cake, frankfurters whatever floats its boat.

Have dog away from but near bed. Using food lure dog onto bed. When dog gets onto bed click and treat. Repeat. Lots.

When the dog has 'got' that going onto the bed elicits a click and a treat you can add in a verbal cue. I use 'In your basket'.
So lure dog onto bed with cue 'In your basket' click and treat. Repeat. Lots.

Then (and this is the tricky bit for the dog) take away the lure element but keep the verbal cue. So 'in your basket' and the dog should have a stab at going into the basket to see if that elicits a click. If it doesn't then go back to doing luring.

Next move yourself and the dog away from its bed. Little bit at a a time. "In your basket", when dog hits the bed. Click and treat (you may have to improve your food lobbing skills).

Take it all over the house and garden. Right out the back give the dog "In your basket" and if you have reinforced it enough the dog should pelt back to its basket.

Increase the time your dog has to spend in it's basket before it gets a reward.
Now and then give your dog a jackpot reward for staying in it's bed (I find a rainstorm of torn up cheese strings onto the dog in its bed works very well).

When you have an A1 response to "In your basket" to can start to tail off the treats. It actaully makes the response stronger for the dog not treating every time (see Don't Shoot The Dog book by Karon Pryor for explanation of this, is basically to do with gambling, interesting stuff).

Whenever you are eating or doing food prep send the dog into its bed. Reward now and again.

This only will work if you never give tidbits to the dog at the table or when you are cooking. It HAS to be more rewarding for the dog to be in its basket than begging/stealing.

hth

ByTheWay1 · 04/11/2011 11:09

Sounds good to me - getting a new puppy on Tuesday, so going to have to go through a new round of the clicker.... but my goodness it is sooooooo worth it!

Slubberdegullion · 04/11/2011 11:19

Sooooo worth it indeed Smile

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 04/11/2011 11:41

Slubber, that's brilliant

alp · 04/11/2011 12:01
Blush

We have been taught this is dog training

(hangs head in shame and promises to put in more homework)

jellybrain · 04/11/2011 13:24

I need to take heed
of this as mine has progressed to standing on the worktops.

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