Get a scat mat, set it up, put some food near it, and leave the house. It delivers a mild shock when touched.

I am normally against all kinds of punishments in training, but when you aren't around, there's no way to reward good behavior. Furthermore, this is a safety issue, and the dog's safety comes before their comfort.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZCIeEUm_n8&playnext_from=TL&videos=-HxQg2EmeQs

http://www.thatsmydogstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=TMD+Snappy+Trainer

 

She continues to counter surf because you leave things there for her to get. Every time she gets something off the counter she is rewarded.

Remove the reward. I have cats. It is the only way. If they jump up ONE time and find something to eat up there they will never stop...

If you do not want a dog to counter surf either you crate the dog when you leave (what I do), block the kitchen off so she cannot go there or never ever ever leave anything on the counter she can get. Ever.

Ever.

 

You know, some people think it's easier to stop a dog that has gotten into the habit of counter surfing than it really is. I've had my dog for two years - a rescued 2 year old dachshund when we got him and we have NEVER been able to stop him from counter-surfing, even by removing ALL sources of food, crating, time-outs, pennies-in-a-can etc.

Even when there is NO food on the table, if we are not around, he jumps up on the table in hopes that there are. If you even so much as put a stool by the counter (I'm short, I need help getting to the top cabinets), and turn your head, he's up on the counter in 2 seconds.

I don't know how big your dog is or if she can get up onto the counter without help, but if she is getting on to the counters with help from a garbage can or something, you might want to just move it. The only way you can fully prevent a dog that has made counter surfing a habit is to remove access. I'm sorry, but that's the harsh truth.

 

I'm going to second the scat mat. Yes, it is actually preferential to make sure there is nothing on the counters, ever, but that's not always possible, and what about the dogs that just "check things out to see what if".

Sometimes dogs learn to open drawers and cabinets, too. The blood pressure medicine is a scary deal.

Man ... some of y'all really make me thankful for Bella in so many ways! LOL

 

Mine counter surfs too. She's the first dog I've ever had that would do that. She's also a rescue, 2 yrs old when we got her just a couple of months ago. I always clear the counter after we eat, so there's never anything up there for her to get but if she is not gated out of the kitchen, then she checks constantly just to see if there is anything up there. I can't remove the stools because that's where we sit. It would be a pain to remove 6 stools and put them back all the time, and they won't push all the way under the bar. Also I can't keep her completely gated out of the kitchen because it's part of the great room where we are most of the time, and she also has to go thru there to get out the back door. I do what I can, and at least make sure there's nothing left on the counter for her to get, and gate her out or put her outside while we eat (especially the kids, their food is her prime target). If I'm standing right there looking at her, she won't get on the bar but if I as much as turn my back she's up there.

 

I'm guessing you used some kind of aversion to prevent counter surfing when you are around. Problem is, when you go away, the disincentive does too. The trick is to train away the desire to take food from the counter, rather than to teach the dog to be afraid to do it when you are around.


Watch this video. It shows how to solve your problem.


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Watch this video. It shows how to solve your problem.


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I posted that link also but it really depends on the dog. I currently have a hound that is 98% of the day on the prowl for food. any foods out in the house and her nose is up and she is on the hunt.

 

We tied a carrot to the handle of a tin camping mug. We then placed the carrot on the very edge of the counter, in a really tempting place. 20 minutes later, we heard a large clank as the cup bounced off the head of Mesquite and hit the ground. She hasn't counter surfed again.

 

Management (nothing on counters, blocking access to kitchen) COMBINED with training (four on the floor with rewards) AND the occasional booby trap will help a lot. It's not just one thing, it's all three that work towards eliminating the behaviour. And don't forget about extinction bursts, the behaviour ALWAYS gets worse before it goes away. This is often where people give up, thinking they'll never get it done.

We also have to keep in mind that since we work with food on our counters, we may THINK it is "clear" but it's not...that one molecule of food scent left is enough to attract and reward a dog with their advanced scent abilities (this goes even further with the scenthounds...DACHSHUND! LOL) So wiping the counters with a lemon scented cleaner after each meal will also help.

BTW...regarding the blood pressure meds...not only a risk to the dog but to your kids! Medicine should ALWAYS be out of reach of ALL small creatures.