Sounds like Neko might need a bit more training in food/table etiquette.... Although the capsaicin might help jump-start things there for you.
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HA! Neko could use more training in EVERYTHING!! But thats NO easy tasks.
But its as much my fault as it is his really. He never jumps up on the kitchen table... And i normally dont leave food on the table by my computer. Its only 20" tall so he can easily reach it, but i wasnt thinking about it and i needed a drink, the stuff got spicy LOL. Hottest peppers in the world are well... HOT haha.
But as far as the training goes, watch the first 25 seconds of this video... Its VERY accurate.....I have had LOTS of dogs in many many different breeds and none has been as hard headed as Neko can be. He is VERY intelligent and can learn tricks super quick when he wants something from you, but if he doesnt want something... Forget about it. Still i love my dog.
[video=youtube;tLWcMrDTny8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLWcMrDTny8[/video]
I have people all the time say they want a dog like him, i try and explain to them if they dont have a lot of experience with dogs, and a lot of time to dedicate to him they should really pick a different breed. They look amazing and thats what draws people to them, even me, but they are a lot of work and require a a person who will lay down the law for them. Which i do, but im the only one in this house that does, and im the only person in this house he will even come to when he is called.
My wife says we picked the perfect name for him. Since Neko means cat in japanese and he is very cat like. He grooms himself like a cat, he is independent like a cat, and he listens to my wife just like a cat would. He comes for food and wants to be pet or played with only when he is ready.
Now he does come when i call him and will sit down when i tell him to sit nearly every single time even if i dont have a treat but that took a
lot of work. As long as no other animal, noise or smell catches his attention he comes right away.. If something catches his attention he will not come. Even if i have one of his favorite treats.
I work Tuesday - Saturday. Also because November is a good month to take days off... I took Tuesday and Saturday off to make my work week 3 days long 
