Counter surfing—jumping up to grab food off the counter—is a frustrating but common issue. Many dogs quickly learn that tasty rewards can be found in the kitchen, making this behavior self-reinforcing. The good news? With the right strategy, you can prevent it and teach your dog better habits.
Manage the Environment
The first and most effective step is prevention. Dogs repeat behaviours that get them rewards, so if they’ve ever snatched food off the counter, they’ll try again. The solution? Remove the temptation. Keep counters clear of food, wipe up crumbs, and push items out of reach. If there’s nothing to steal, there’s no reason to jump.
If your dog counter surfs for attention rather than food, the best approach is to ignore them completely. Any reaction—even scolding—can reinforce the behavior. Instead, stay neutral and avoid engaging. Over time, they’ll realize counter surfing gets them nothing.
Teach an Alternative Behaviour
Prevention is key, but training a replacement behaviour will set your dog up for long-term success. We want them to learn that when food is present, sitting—not jumping—is the way to earn a reward.
Here’s a simple exercise to reinforce this:
- Hold a treat above your dog’s head.
- If they jump, withhold the treat and wait.
- The moment they sit, mark the behavior with a clicker or a verbal cue like “yes” and reward them.
- Repeat consistently.
Over time, your dog will learn that sitting when food is around leads to good things, while jumping gets them nothing.
Reinforce Boundaries
For extra reinforcement, teach your dog a “place” command where they stay on a designated spot like a mat or dog bed while you’re in the kitchen. Reward them for staying in their spot, gradually increasing duration and distractions. This gives them a clear job to do instead of wandering near the counters.
Stopping counter surfing takes a mix of management and training. By removing the opportunity, reinforcing positive behaviors, and setting clear boundaries, your dog will learn that keeping all four paws on the floor is the way to go. If counter surfing has become a deeply ingrained habit, a professional trainer can help fine-tune the process.
With consistency, you’ll have a well-mannered pup and a stress-free kitchen in no time!
My name is Jack Donovan and I’ve been training dogs in the GTA and Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario for years. In fact, I loved it so much I quit my day job and I started my own business two years ago as a professional full-time dog trainer.
