Counter Surfing Dogs: The Unfortunate Reality

A counter surfing dog can be extremely frustrating and dangerous. And while there are some things you can do to reduce counter surfing, we have to talk about the unfortunate reality of this behavior. Prevention is the #1 way to stop counter surfing. But more on that later! Plus, we will break down why dogs counter surf. Understanding the why of this behavior is important to know how to stop it! In this episode we will cover the following. Why dogs counter surf How to stop counter surfing when you’re home How to stop counter surfing when you’re NOT home Let’s get to it 👇 Dogs are opportunistic animals. If they approach a situation and believe there may be a reward for them, they’ll explore further. If there is food, they’ll likely try to eat it. Here are a few other factors that can contribute to counter surfing. Your dog is bored and looking for something to entertain them Your dog is actually hungry and might need a full meal Your dog hasn’t yet been trained that counters are off-limits When you are home, counter surfing can be stopped with the right methods. Here are a few ways to stop counter surfing when you’re home (full explanations below). Teach leave it Teach the off behavior Teach the place behavior Now is where we get into the unfortunate reality of counter surfing… You cannot stop counter surfing when you’re NOT home. At least not really. You won’t be there to say ‘leave it’, or ‘off’, or ‘place’. You won’t be there to redirect. You won’t be there to stop the behavior. So, is there anything you can do?! NO. Well, not really at least ⬇️ To stop counter surfing while you’re gone you have 2 options. Limit access to the counter (With a crate, baby gate, or door) Don’t leave food on the counter That is the harsh reality of handling a counter surfing dog.