My boxer likes anything on the counter!

crating would solve both issues.. what kind of crate do you use? how did he get out? how about just investing in a crate that is more sturdy or harder to break out of?

Thanks, the crate is made of metal. It is one of the folding one's and he pulls the back of the crate in and climbs out. I have bent the metal to make it harder but he would still get out. Plus I feel horrible crating him because he gets so upset when I put him in there. Also, now it has been a good six months since he has been in a crate and I think it would be worse now. I have been trying to think of something to set on the counter that would scare him but I can't think of anything other than a mouse trap. With the mouse trap I worry it would break his toe or somthing stupid. I don't want him hurt but I would like it he would stay off from my tables and counter. I thought fly paper or something but then my wife thinks it will just be one more thing for him to chew up.

I dont even think your dog sees you as an authority figure whatsoever, he seems not to have any kind of structure or knows any rules around the house

You can start with this:

Link for NILIF 

MANAGEMENT!!!

All dogs will behave like this if it gets them things they want (and I don't care how great of a "leader" you are). You have to have to have to manage a dog's environment so they aren't constantly walking through a world where there are a trillion tempting things that are accessible to them and reward them instantly be being tasty, fun to rip up, and fun to explore but that we humans arbitrarily label as "forbidden". Do not let this dog roam free in the house at night. Take him in to your bedroom with you and shut the door or use a babygate. Also, a dog who is up at night and getting in to trouble instead of sleeping indicates to me a dog who is not getting nearly enough exercise. 

He has already discovered that the world on top of countertops is very fun, mighty rewarding, and a rockin' good time all around. Why on earth would he stop such a good thing? You're not around to correct him, and a few seconds later a dog does not connect a punishment to what we are punishing them for. You must catch them in the act, correct and then redirect: "Stop, you can't do that, but here is something you can do that will satisfy that same desire." If you do not have the ability to do that at a particular time, then the environment must be managed so there is no opportunity to do what you don't want him to.  When you are home, the dog must be with you, within your sight and watched. When you are not home, the dog must not have access to these things. If you decide to use a crate again, learn to properly crate train and start from scratch on that.

Over time, dogs can forget that counter surfing was at one time pretty fun and rewarding, but that only happens after a prolonged period where it is not allowed to happen and it is not allowed to be rewarding, EVER.  And I think for most of us, a basic level of dog proofing is a way of life. My dogs don't counter surf but I also don't leave really tempting things on counters. Every now and then one of them will decide to get up on their hind legs and see what's up there, and when I see that, I know for the next couple weeks I have to make extra sure that there is NOTHING up there that might tempt them. They did a little experiment: what's up here? I want the answer to be a resounding "nothing special, move along.' After a few days of them seeing there's nothing interesting up there, they stop looking and I can start to leave the few things I normally leave on the counter back on the counter.

houndlove- Thanks for the input! He gets a ton of exercise he is outside whenever I am out and when my wife is out. I have had three large dogs previously (Great Danes) and none of them were surfers. None of them went poop at night. I do not work and am home all day w/ my boxer. I am going to keep him in my room at night and see how that goes.

houndlove

All dogs will behave like this if it gets them things they want (and I don't care how great of a "leader" you are).

sounds like you have a plan already! others are much better with the training advice anyways :)

i just wanted to say this about the crate:

the foldable ones are often not very sturdy. you could get one of those plastic airplane carrier type crates or a sturdy wire crate that is actually made of steel or iron bars. i just got another one of those today, you can check out the picture in the picture section of this forum! i can't imagine any dog getting out of that! and with proper crate training, they wouldnt want to anyways. if you need more tips on crate training, just lemme know, ok?

janetmichel3009

you could get one of those plastic airplane carrier type crates or a sturdy wire crate that is actually made of steel or iron bars. i just got another one of those today, you can check out the picture in the picture section of this forum! i can't imagine any dog getting out of that!

well, obviously i have small dogs, so yeah, maybe they could i guess... but let's face it, the foldable wire crates aren't exactly the most sturdy crates there are...

A solution to the dog escaping at night would be to crate in your bedroom.  Presumably you could hear the rascal trying to get out and put a (gentle) stop to it.