When we adopted our dog in June we started feeding the cats up on a microwave stand, so the dog wouldn't get into their food. We had a couple incidents early on with him counter surfing for cat food, but he got caught, got in trouble and stopped.
Well he has now improved his technique. When the cats aren't eating he will eat out of the bowls on the counter (instead of pulling them down, which used to alert us to his naughtiness). It's pretty funny to watch because first he checks REALLY carefully to make sure there is no cat waiting to bop him on the nose.
Does anyone have any suggestions besides blocking off the kitchen? His water is in there, and I'd rather not have to move it to the carpet, he's a messy drinker, but if that's the best option, that's the best option.
I'm trying to think of aversion techniques that wont also be aversive to the cats. (As if a dog in their food bowl wasn't yucky enough.)
Well he has now improved his technique. When the cats aren't eating he will eat out of the bowls on the counter (instead of pulling them down, which used to alert us to his naughtiness). It's pretty funny to watch because first he checks REALLY carefully to make sure there is no cat waiting to bop him on the nose.
Does anyone have any suggestions besides blocking off the kitchen? His water is in there, and I'd rather not have to move it to the carpet, he's a messy drinker, but if that's the best option, that's the best option.
I'm trying to think of aversion techniques that wont also be aversive to the cats. (As if a dog in their food bowl wasn't yucky enough.)