Dogs are naturally opportunistic food seekers and genetically programmed to eat food when they find it. 

Any successful attempt by your dog of stealing unattended food from tables, desks and kitchen counters is highly reinforcing.

This practice is one of the hardest canine behaviours for dog owners to understand or forgive. 

To prevent this behaviour in the first place, never leave food unattended where your dog can get to it. Also, teach your children not to drop food for your canine companion to eat.

It’s best to manage your dog’s access to food while you prepare or serve it or if food has to be left out for guests. 

This may include:

• Putting your dog in another room.
• Using an exercise pen or baby gate. 
• Crating your dog.
• Tethering your dog to a piece of furniture. 

If restricting your dog’s access causes her undue stress which may result in barking or whining, teaching your counter-surfing canine more appropriate behaviours is recommended. 

Go to your place will teach her to lay down on her dog bed away from the kitchen.  

Leave it will prevent her from going after food within her reach or ingesting harmful substances like chocolate.

Walk Away is a cue that moves your dog away from the food she has been eyeing.

These techniques, which we reinforce with a long lasting chew or food dispensing toy, are very effective at teaching your dog appropriate behaviours. 

Any form of punishment like yelling “off”, spraying water at her or physically forcing your dog off the counter will not stop this behaviour and erode your relationship. In your dog’s mind, counter-surfing during your absence is still allowed. 

Compassionately refocusing your dog by using the above methods will, over time, correct annoying counter-surfing.