Dogs counter surf (steal food from tables and countertops) because we have allowed them to find food there. Once your dog has been rewarded with tasty food from your countertop or table, he will continue to look for more. Like a slot machine, it only takes an occasional reward to keep him coming back for more. Counter surfing is one case were prevention really is the best strategy. To prevent counter surfing:
· Never leave your dog unsupervised with food accessible on the table or countertop. If you have to leave the kitchen while food is out, close your dog in another room.
· Never feed your dog scraps directly from the table or countertops. If you do give your dog an occasional treat of people food, feed him where he normally eats.
· Make sure your dog always has accessible fresh water. Dogs can smell water and a thirsty dog with an empty water bowl may try to get water from the kitchen sink.
· Teach your dog to stay in another room while you are cooking and eating. Use a gate if needed.
If you slipped up and left food unattended and your dog found it, you can bet he will look for more. If he never finds food again, he will eventually give up looking for it.
If your dog has been a long-term successful counter surfer, simply following preventive measures may not be enough to break his habit. In this case a pressure sensitive sonic deterrent mat may help. A sonic mat is typically four to five feet long by one foot wide and will emit a loud, irritating, high-pitched sound when your dog jumps on it or puts his paws on it. They work equally well for training cats to stay off tables and countertops. You may need several of them to fully cover your counters or table. Your dog will learn that the irritating sound is worse than the prospect of an occasional reward.
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