Counter surfing is one of the most annoying dog habits. Especially if you have a large dog, they can quickly become a kitchen tyrant, taking over the place you once prepared food and turning it into their personal buffet.
Not only is it annoying, but it can be dangerous if the stove is on, you have hot pans or food out, or the food is toxic to dogs. Aside from the fact your dog is eating all your food, these are great reasons why you should stop your dog from counter surfing.
Why Dogs Do It
The answer is fairly simple: it’s rewarding. It is a scientific fact that dogs go to places or do things where they get rewarded the most. What’s more rewarding then human food? To most dogs, nothing.
This means two things. One, this is a self-rewarding behavior. Every time your dog counter surfs, he rewards himself with food. Two, the more he does it and gets food, the more he will continue to do it. So the longer you let him practice this behavior (and get rewarded!) the harder it will be to break the bad habit.
Also, remember that just because your dog counter surfs the one time you have nothing on the counter, does not mean he will stop counter surfing. In fact, it’s been proven that a variable reinforcement (sometimes getting reward, sometimes not) makes a behavior stronger. So, only getting food once and awhile may make your plight worse (Don’t believe me? Think about the way gambling works).
How to Stop It
So, how do you stop your dog when he is doing something that is self-rewarding and most likely occurs when you are not home?
Luckily, the methods to stop counter-surfing are easy and effective – as long as you STICK with it! Remember, the longer your dog has been counter surfing, the longer this process may take.
First, management.
NEVER leave anything on your counters – no food, no dirty dishes, no empty food containers, etc. Nothing your dog may find rewarding. This must be consistent and constant! Remember, a once-in-awhile reinforcement will actually make the behavior stronger, so you have to follow this one perfectly.
If you are not going to be around to watch your dog, do not give him access to the kitchen, or tables (dining, living, etc), that he normally surfs. This mean you can put him in another part of the house, in a crate, or take him with you if you are going somewhere dog-friendly.
Second, training.
Some counter surfers get so bold, they will do it right in front of their parents, or as soon as your back is turned. In these cases, teaching your dog Off (all four paws on the floor) and a Leave-it (leave whatever it is you are going after and focus on me instead) are great tools.
Lastly, remember earlier I said it’s proven that dogs go to the places or things of most reinforcement? Make keeping those paws on the floor the most rewarding thing ever. As your dog walks or stands in the kitchen (like a good boy!), drop treats or toys on the floor to reward him for keeping those paws off the counter. Note: if you have taught your dog to not eat anything off the floor unless given the “okay” (auto-leave it), then don’t do this. Instead, feed him the treats by hand.
Final Tips
Over time, your dog will learn that the counter has nothing to offer him and the behavior will stop. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a bit, however. If your dog has been practicing this behavior for years, don’t expect him to permanently stop after a day or two.
Also, regardless of how long it’s been, it’s always smart to not leave anything on the counter. We have moments of weakness, and dogs do too. Don’t think that just because your dog hasn’t surfed in 6 months, that he will be able to resist a steak sitting on the counter after you have been gone for five hours, it’s dinner time, and he’s bored. Even a dog that has never counter-surfed before would probably try to get that steak.
Don’t leave your dog unattended with the stove or oven on, or hot plates on the counter. This is especially true if your dog is still surfing from time to time. (And no, getting burned once will not make your dog stop doing the behavior – did you stop riding your bike after falling and scraping your knee ten times when you were little?) That’s just a vet bill waiting to happen.
