How to Prevent Counter Surfing

Counter-surfing is when a dog jumps onto kitchen counters or tables to snag food. Dogs are opportunistic by nature – even one dropped crumb can reinforce this behavior. The key is management: remove all temptations. Always clear counters and tables of food or dishes, and wipe surfaces so no enticing smells remain. Many trainers recommend using baby gates or crating the dog while cooking or eating. By physically blocking the kitchen, the dog never finds food on the counter, so it stops learning that jumping pays off.

Understanding Counter Surfing

The urge for counter-surfing is an innate quality in dogs, fueled by their heightened sense of smell and sense of wonderment. Unless tackled at the outset, this mannerism has the potential to become entrenched. Although certain breeds might exhibit this trait more actively, any dog can assimilate the practice as a rewarding activity.

Teach Incompatible Behaviors

In addition to management, teach your dog an alternative behavior that can’t happen at the same time as counter-surfing. For example, train your dog to go to a mat or bed during meal prep or when you’re cooking. Reward the dog for staying on its spot (“Place” command) instead of jumping up. Giving chew toys or food puzzles in another room can also keep your dog busy and away from the kitchen. Consistently reinforce calm behavior: whenever the dog stays on its bed or lies down quietly, praise it and give treats. Over time, the dog will learn that remaining calm is more rewarding than climbing on counters.

Key Training Commands

“Leave It” – Teach your dog to ignore food or objects within reach. Start with treats in your hands so the dog learns to turn away when cued. Over time, use “leave it” on food on the floor or counter, and reward the dog with a better treat once it obeys.
“Off” – Train the dog to get down on command. When your dog does jump up, lure it off with a treat while saying “off,” then reward it when its paws are back on the floor. Practice this in short sessions so the dog learns that “off” always means it should put its feet down.
“Place/Bed” – Designate a spot (mat or bed) for your dog during meal times. Teach the dog to go to its place and stay there with food rewards. Start by tossing treats onto the spot so the dog begins to associate it with good things. Gradually add a cue (like “place” or “bed”) as the dog goes to lie down. Continue rewarding longer stays. Over time, the dog will happily go to its place instead of begging or counter-surfing.

Related Kitchen Manners

Many of the same strategies help with other food-related behaviors. For example, if your dog begs at the dinner table, require it to sit or stay in a designated spot before eating and only reward it for remaining calm. Never hand-feed from the table. Similarly, dogs that jump on people during meal times should be trained to keep all four feet on the floor; use the “sit” or “down” command and ignore jumping.

If a dog guards food or bowls, do not confront it aggressively. Instead, try trading a low-value item for a high-value treat (positive “give and take”) and gradually practice gentle handling while feeding. In all cases, consistency is crucial: everyone in the household must follow the same rules and cues. Even one forgotten treat or loose rule can reinforce bad habits.

Professional Training Options

If counter-surfing or related issues persist, Puptown Houston offers several tailored programs.

Lodge & Learn – Ideal for busy owners or stubborn cases. Dogs stay at the facility for 2–4 weeks and join trainers on daily outings for intensive obedience work. This bootcamp-style approach can quickly instill kitchen manners and impulse control.
Puppy Training Classes – For pups under 6 months, group classes build a foundation of good behavior before habits form.
Private Lessons – At home or at Puptown, trainers work one-on-one with you and your dog to address counter-surfing, jumping, guarding, and other challenges.

In short, Puptown Houston’s services provide the support and real-life practice needed to prevent counter-surfing and teach respectful kitchen manners.

Key Takeaways

Counter-surfing is best stopped with prevention, positive training, and consistency.

Keep your kitchen free of food temptations.
Supervise your dog around meal times.
Reinforce alternative behaviors (“place,” “sit,” etc.) instead of jumping.
Use cue words like “leave it” and “off” to redirect your dog in the moment.
Reward good choices generously.

If problems persist, Puptown Houston’s programs are specifically designed to teach dogs polite behavior (including in the kitchen) using humane, effective methods.