Does your dog enjoy sneaking tasty treats from your kitchen counter? Unfortunately, dogs can quickly learn to raid counters for snacks, stealing baked goods or prepared meals. Each time your dog successfully jumps on the counter and finds food, the behavior is reinforced. To help you address this tricky behavior, we have created a guide to teach you how to stop your dog from counter-surfing.
How can I discourage counter-surfing?
The first step is to avoid feeding your dog from the table. Although it can be difficult to resist giving your dog food, especially when they beg, remember that this behavior can encourage them to check out the tabletop on their own. You can lower the temptation for your dog to jump on the counters by keeping it clear.
Introducing new commands
To prevent your dog from counter-surfing, teach them commands that reward positive behaviors. These commands should be incompatible with counter-surfing, so your dog cannot obey the command and jump on the counter at the same time. By rewarding desirable behaviors and managing their environment, your dog will be more likely to choose following your commands over counter-surfing. Some commands that encourage good behavior include:
- Place
- Down
- Wait
You can manage counter-surfing by having your dog practice commands while you are present. Afterward, reward your dog for behavior that does not involve jumping on the counter. For example, when you reward your dog for lying down quietly by the table, they are more likely to choose that behavior in the future. This teaches your dog good behavior, even when you aren’t present to give them commands.
Correcting counter-surfing
It’s essential to provide opportunities for your dog to choose not to jump on the counter. Follow the below steps:
- Place a value item on the table, such as a toy or food. When choosing food, it should be big enough that your dog can’t swallow it in one bite.
- If your dog moves towards the counter but does not jump up, or performs a behavior such as lying down or sitting, praise and reward them. By rewarding and praising your dog for positive behaviors, you encourage them not to counter-surf.
- If your dog jumps on the counter and tries to take the food, give them a verbal reprimand such as “no” while clapping your hands.
- Let your dog try again and repeat the correction if they jump on the counter again.
- Reward your dog if they display better behavior.
Try to practice this daily; your dog will learn to perform positive behaviors over time.
We’re here to help
If you have a persistent counter jumper and need help with how to stop your dog from counter-surfing, schedule a free consultation with our pet behavior experts. Our training programs are personalized to meet your training goals, and we provide private training sessions at your home and in your local Kansas City’s neighborhood. Our programs address obedience and manners as well as behavioral challenges including reactivity, resource guarding, and fearful behavior.
If you live outside our service areas or prefer virtual meetings, our Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, offers virtual consultations to discuss your training goals and create a program to achieve them.
