Does your dog steal things off of the counter?
If so, you are not alone! Dog owners everywhere can tell stories of turkey sandwiches (or whole turkeys!) stolen when their
back was turned.
Why do dogs counter-surf?
Because it’s rewarding! We humans leave a wide variety of tasty tidbits on the counter just waiting to be sampled. What
makes this behavior even harder to get rid of is that it has been put on a variable schedule of reinforcement. This means
that sometimes there is a reward and sometimes there isn't. The dog learns to keep trying to see if something has
appeared. Invariably, something does appear and the dog’s diligence has paid off. This is precisely why slot machines are
so addictive. The gambler keeps trying because he “knows” that the big pay-off is just one pull away!
So how do we end counter-surfing?
First, remove all temptation. Do not leave ANYTHING edible on the counter. Not even a crumb. Make sure that no matter
how hard your dog tries, it never receives a reward for jumping on the counter. If you can’t bear to keep food off of the
counter, find a way to restrict access to the room by using baby gates or crating your dog when he cannot be directly
supervised while he is learning not to counter surf.
Next, we need to teach the dog an appropriate behavior that is incompatible with jumping on the counter. Teach your dog
that sitting or lying in the kitchen is FAR more rewarding than jumping on the counter. Keep tasty treats in your pocket or
treat tote. Every time you see your dog sitting in the kitchen, give him a treat. He will quickly learn that sitting is a fantastic
thing to do!
You can also teach your dog to go lie on a bed or mat. This is a wonderful behavior to train your dog to do. It works
fabulously not only for counter-surfing, but also to end begging at the dinner table; to keep your dog from greeting house
guests too exuberantly; and to give you a break when you just want to watch a little TV without a dog staring at you!
Another useful tool in the counter-surfing toolbox is the cue “leave it”. Teach your dog to avoid food and other objects when
given the “leave it” cue. With enough practice, you could drop a steak on the floor and your dog would not touch it if given a
"leave it".
Contact Rebecca for more help in training your dog to have better table manners or to teach "leave it" and "go to bed".
Counter-surfing does not have to be a recreational sport in your house! By removing temptation, providing supervision, and
teaching an alternative behavior or two, your dog can retire from his surfing ways!
| Surf's-Up!: Putting an End to Counter-Surfing Canines! by Rebecca Lynch, KPA CTP |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Not all surfing dogs are bad! Learn
more about Surf Dog Ricochet here!
more about Surf Dog Ricochet here!
