Ami has been spending more and more time with us in the kitchen - as I have previously posted, he was a major counter surfer. And his nose, neck extended, is just high enough to reach the top of the counters.

Last night I was able to cook dinner with him in kitchen, not once jumping up or snatching anything...

A week or so ago, I found some suggestions on the ASPCA site - the suggestion was to make a pyramid of empty soda cans booby trapped with a string (don't remember the details. I modified this for materials on hand - placed aluminized 1/4 sheet pans on edge over the sink, the toaster oven and the coffee pot - balanced precariously against a variety of tongs, cutting boards or cooling racks. Interspersed with a few soda cans as we accumulated them...

Bingo - he jumps up, the contraptions collapsed with a loud bang, the big boy took off to the far reaches of the kitchen with his hind end under his chin (still don't know how he maintained balance in that position  ).

Since that time, having accumulated more empty soda cans, I have been gradually replacing the cookie sheet traps with, first a pyramid of cans, than just lining the cans up every 8-12" on the edge of the counters. They now seem to act as a visual cue in the same way the flags for invisible fence work. So, have been gradually decreasing the number of cans and last night, only 2 cans on the outside of the island...and no paws or noses on any counter! (And there was shrimp and cheese and peas - which apparently he absolutely loves.)

It also may help that we are liberal with treats in the kitchen, but only if he is sitting or lying down. Also, a couple of times, I hauled his big, fluffy butt outside when he was too frenetic (though that appears to be how he tells me he needs to poop  )

Success at the moment is sweet...wonder how long it will last?

Oooo I wanna see a video!!   Sounds funny.

lillith87 wrote:

Oooo I wanna see a video!!   Sounds funny.

It would have made a great video - but happened too fast!!!

However, the good behavior, according to my husband lasts as long as I am in the kitchen   However, I never did expect him to be a saint in the kitchen when I am gone...

Thanks for sharing. I'll have to see if this works with Loki and his wet cat food obsession. He stays down all the time except for wet cat food.

Great idea! I second the call for a video. Maybe set up a nanny cam in the kitchen and see what happens.