How to Prevent Your German Shepherd from Counter Surfing

Looks like somebody’s giving in to temptation. LOL I wonder what this lovely German Shepherd would do to get his favorite treats…
Thanks to Reggie Hatch‎ for sharing!

How to Prevent Your German Shepherd from Counter Surfing
GSD very much tempted to get some cookies 🙂

What is Counter Surfing and How Would You Stop It

Many dog owners don’t like the idea of their dogs stealing food from their kitchen counters or dinner table. This behavior is now being referred to as counter surfing. If you’re really tired of this behavior then you should do the following:

Counter surfing itself is self-rewarding. So the best way to stop the chain is by not leaving any food out. If there is no food which serves as a reward, your dog will learn not to do it over time. Remember, GSDs are smart and they remember even if it’s been several months and then you leave a steak on the counter, surely he’ll smell it and surf again to get it.

Once you developed the habit of keeping the counters clear, it’s time to teach him that it staying on the floor is quite more rewarding than jumping up on the counter. Whenever he behaves well while you work on the kitchen, throw him a treat. He’ll soon realize that he never gets rewarded by counter surfing.

Importantly, never ever chase, yell, hit your pal when he steals food on the counter. This will only mean that he gets the response he wants from you.