Addressing counter surfing:
This may sound simple, but it's one of the most effective strategies.
- Put groceries away as soon as you bring them home.
- Avoid leaving food unattended on countertops.
- Move dirty dishes to the sink or dishwasher after meals.
- Store bread, snacks, and other tempting items in cabinets or the refrigerator.
Remember, if there's nothing to steal, your dog has nothing to gain from checking out the counter!
Use Physical Barriers
Sometimes the easiest solution is to limit access to the kitchen.
Baby gates and closed doors can help prevent your dog from entering the kitchen when you aren't able to supervise.
Other options include:
- Using a crate or exercise pen to give your dog a comfortable place to relax.
- Keeping your dog in another room during meal preparation.
- Using a baby gate when entertaining guests or preparing meals.
These strategies are especially helpful during busy times when it's difficult to keep an eye on your dog. Management allows you to prevent unwanted habits while building better behaviors.
Training: Teaching Your Dog What TO Do Instead
Management prevents counter surfing, but training teaches your dog the behaviors you'd like to see.
Rather than simply telling your dog what not to do, give them an alternative behavior that you can reward!
Teach "Leave It" and "Off"
The "leave it" cue can help your dog learn to disengage from something tempting. Practice with low-value items first and gradually work toward more challenging distractions.
The "off" cue can be useful when your dog puts their paws somewhere they shouldn't. However, remember that these cues aren't substitutes for good management. You don't want your dog repeatedly practicing counter surfing while waiting for you to give a command.
Reward Incompatible Behaviors
An incompatible behavior is something your dog cannot physically do at the same time as the unwanted behavior.
For example, your dog cannot be jumping up on the counter while lying on their bed!
Teach a "Place" Cue
Teaching your dog to go to a designated mat or bed is a great alternative during kitchen activities.
Start by rewarding your dog for going to their bed. Use treats, praise, and plenty of encouragement to make that spot a wonderful place to be.
Once your dog understands the cue:
- Ask your dog to go to their place.
- Reward them for settling on their mat.
- Gradually increase the amount of time they remain there.
- Practice while performing simple kitchen activities.
- Continue rewarding your dog for making good choices.
Initially, reward frequently. As your dog becomes more successful, you can gradually increase the time between rewards.
Teach a Down-Stay
A down-stay is another useful behavior during meal preparation or other kitchen activities.
Teach your dog to lie down and remain in position until released. Begin practicing in a quiet environment before introducing the distractions that come with a busy kitchen.
Remember to reward generously as your dog learns!
Consistency Is the Key!
Successfully changing counter-surfing behavior takes a combination of management, training, and cooperation from everyone in the household.
Make sure everyone follows the same rules. If one family member occasionally leaves food out or shares snacks from the counter, your dog may continue to see the kitchen as a place worth investigating.
Most importantly, remember that progress takes time. Dogs who have been counter surfing for months or years may need additional practice before new habits become established.
Set your dog up for success, prevent opportunities to steal food, and reward the behaviors you want to see more often.
With patience and consistency, you can help your dog learn that keeping four paws on the floor is a much better choice than raiding the kitchen!