How To Stop Your Dog From Counter Surfing
Is your curious canine constantly getting his snout into places he shouldn’t? As dog owners, some of us are unfortunately all too familiar with the art of counter surfing. This devious activity refers to any dog who jumps up on the counter in order to steal food.
Fortunately, there are ways that you can successfully discourage your pooch from swiping all of your snacks. Below, we’ll explain why dogs counter surf and also share a few strategies to stop Spot’s sneaky behavior.
Why Do Dogs Counter Surf?
Dogs are hardwired to search for food and this instinct doesn’t stop just because the cookies on the counter aren’t meant for canines. If your dog is tall enough to gain access to the counter, it’s likely he’s an active counter surfer.
This is why it’s our responsibility as pet parents to show our dogs which behaviors are safe and which aren’t. Counter surfing isn’t just annoying— it can be dangerous. Not only does this behavior expose your pooch to potentially toxic foods, but it also exposes your dog to any kitchen items on the countertop itself. Your knife block, cutting board, or electric toaster can easily become dangerous when handed over to 4 unassuming paws.
Counter surfing can be difficult to correct since many dogs only act out this behavior when their owners aren’t around to intervene. However, with positive reinforcement and a commitment to teaching your mutt proper manners, your furry best friend will be on the right track.
What Should I Do If I See My Dog Counter Surfing?
If you’re lucky enough to catch your dog in the act, redirect immediately with a toy, treat, or promises of praise. Pay attention to what sort of foods motivate your dog to counter surf and be extra vigilant about clearing off your counters before leaving the area.
Don’t bother scolding your dog if you find out about his counter surfing after he’s committed the canine crime. The best way to curb this behavior entirely is to focus on prevention versus interference.
How To Prevent Counter Surfing
Here are a few ways to teach your dog to stop counter surfing for good. Remember that any lesson you teach your dog takes repetition and patience to master. As long as you stay consistent with these strategies, your dog will eventually recognize what you’re trying to communicate.
Block Off The Kitchen
While your pooch is learning his manners, block off access to the kitchen until he’s undergone a couple of successful training sessions. Giving your dog access to the kitchen when he’s not properly trained only reinforces the poor behavior and opens him up to an unsafe environment.
Make sure that your counter surfing training lessons are focused entirely on Fido. Once he understands that counter surfing isn’t the desired behavior, you can reopen your kitchen to your dog.
Clear The Counter
As a general precaution, always make sure to clear off the counter before leaving it unattended. Even if you’re just stepping away for a moment, your curious canine might be tempted to snag a bite of the family’s chicken dinner.
Train Your Dog To Stay Out Of The Kitchen
If being in the kitchen during meal prep or dinner time is too tempting for your furry friend, focus on teaching your dog to go to their bed, crate, or other designated areas. This will ensure that your pooch is safe while you’re focused on the food. Reinforce your dog’s good behavior with treats whenever he goes to his special spot.
Redirecting To A Preferred Behavior
If your dog seems like he’s about to hop up on the counter, ask him to sit or lie down instead. Reward the redirected behavior with treats and praise. Over time, your dog will learn to do the redirected behavior on its own instead of counter surfing.
Teaching The “Off” or “Leave It” Command
Another super useful command to teach your dog in the context is the “off” or “leave it” command. This command teaches your dog to focus on you and stop what he’s doing whenever he’s acting unsafely. Don’t forget to praise your pooch whenever he follows through with this pawsitive behavior!
Canine counter surfing can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with as a pet owner. Fortunately, this behavior can be fixed with the help of these snack saving strategies. Enjoy bonding with your pooch over this teachable moment.
