Have you ever walked into the kitchen and found your dog with their paws on the counter, searching for something to eat or lick?
That’s counter surfing—and yes, even finding a few crumbs can keep the behavior going!
WHY DOES IT KEEP HAPPENING?
Counter surfing is a self-reinforcing behavior.
Your dog doesn’t need you to reward them. The reward may have been whatever they found: a piece of food, a crumb, a lick of something tasty—or even the spirit of that piece of ham you left on the counter for just a second!
And because they don’t know when they’re going to find something, the surprise can make that reinforcement especially powerful.
If your dog repeatedly practices counter surfing, their brain learns:
“Counter = CHECK FOR FOOD!”
Eventually, it can become an automatic response—the first behavior their brain throws out when a table or kitchen counter is available.
DON’T LET THEM PRACTICE IT
MANAGEMENT COMES FIRST!
1️⃣ Clean your counters and tables as if your mother-in-law were coming to visit. 😉
2️⃣ Don’t leave food near the edge where your dog can help themselves.
3️⃣ Prevent access when you can’t supervise.
But management alone isn’t enough. We also need to teach your dog what TO DO instead.
CREATE A NEW HABIT
This is where training comes in!
Start playing impulse-control games to help your dog practice making different choices.
Then create training scenarios in your kitchen. Put your dog in a position where they can notice food on the counter—but set them up to succeed.
When they choose NOT to surf the counter, reward them for making that choice!
For example:
Food on counter → Dog notices → Dog chooses their mat → BIG reward on the mat!
A FEW IMPORTANT DETAILS:
Place the mat where your dog can still see you and the counter. We want them to practice making the choice—not simply being removed from the kitchen.
Make the reward MUCH better than what they might find on the counter.
Be consistent! Your dog needs many successful repetitions to build a new habit.
THE MAGIC WAND?
CONSISTENCY.
The goal isn’t simply to stop your dog from counter surfing.
It’s to teach their brain:
“When I feel the urge to check the counter… I have another behavior I know how to do!”
Need help putting this training plan together? Contact me! I can help you create a step-by-step plan for your dog.
Dog Training 