by Adopt a Pet, | January 8, 2024
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Preventing access and removing the temptation of food left out are two ways to stop your dog from counter surfing. A dropped dab of peanut butter, cookie crumbs, and the drippings of a piece of steak are just a few of the many delicious things your dog may associate with your kitchen counters, so it’s no mystery as to why he checks out those counters any chance he gets. While he’s hoping to get lucky and snag a treat, you just want to make the behavior stop. Keep reading for a few tips to help you do that.
Lead Him Not Into Temptation 
It’s kind of silly if you leave food out and then get mad if your dog is tempted by it. Remember that “food” to your dog can be anything from a few crumbs to an entire cake that wasn’t properly covered. When you’re done cooking or getting a snack, be diligent about putting everything away and wiping down the counters. After a while of not finding anything tempting, your dog will stop associating the counters with bonus treats.
Eliminate Access 
When you are preparing food, don’t allow the dogs in the kitchen. It’s too easy for them to slip a snack off the counter while you turn around to grab additional ingredients or stir whatever is on the stove.
Proper Training
The eventual goal is to teach your dog not to jump on the counters even if his favorite kibble is covering it from end to end. Here’s a technique that has been successful for many pet owners:
When he jumps on the counter, show him a treat and say “down.”
Once he’s firmly on the ground, say “good down” or whatever praise you choose, and give him the treat.
Doing this repeatedly when you see him on the counter will teach him he’ll get a treat when he’s on the floor, not the counter. 
Don’t get frustrated if it takes a while for your dog to catch on. Every dog learns differently. Plus, if your dog is already used to snagging snacks from the counter, it will take longer for him to unlearn the behavior. 
 
