I love the idea of shelves for Chotu. If he had a way to travel around above the dogs he would probably use that and might not get on the counters. The cat tree by a window is great too but if you can’t get one, a shelf at sill level or just below would be good. He might be trying to get where he can look out more than trying to claw there. A simple wood shelf might protect the sill. Adding catnip to his scratching post is a possibility. I don’t know if you can totally stop him from doing some things but using the word no if it is something really important and using it every time you pick him up to remove him from the spot he is not allowed has a chance of lessening it. I have four cats who will get on the counter but all others have stopped. It took repeated ,” no.” It all depends on the cat and the situation. If he is trying to avoid the dogs, I would totally understand that. It’s a whole new world to him and he is nervous, exploring and learning. Give him places he is allowed and encouraged to get up high. When you remove him from the place you don’t want him, show him a place he might like. Let us know how it goes.
Try letting the blind dog smell something that Chotu lays on. See how he reacts. It sounds like he is trying to understand what Chotu is. Pet the dog when he smells Chotu and tell him it’s okay. Introductions to a blind dog should be done catefully. Since he cannot see he needs to understand that Chotu is good. Wait until Chotu is totally comfortable there before up close encounters between them. We don’t want Chotu to slap the dog and have the dog react in fear. Very slow introductions.
Try letting the blind dog smell something that Chotu lays on. See how he reacts. It sounds like he is trying to understand what Chotu is. Pet the dog when he smells Chotu and tell him it’s okay. Introductions to a blind dog should be done catefully. Since he cannot see he needs to understand that Chotu is good. Wait until Chotu is totally comfortable there before up close encounters between them. We don’t want Chotu to slap the dog and have the dog react in fear. Very slow introductions.