How to Fix Counter-Surfing

Originally published October 2020. Updated February 2025.

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Counter-surfing is frustrating and potentially dangerous!

Counter-Surfing is what happens when the dog put his paws (either the front two or all four) on counters or tables in search of food, dishes, paper, etc.

Some dogs only surf if they can smell available items, and some will surf any chance they get.

It’s a very irritating problem made even more difficult with modern, open-style floor plans.

How do we fix it?

Priority #1

Prevent, prevent, prevent.

Training is pointless if the dog keeps doing the wrong thing when you’re not training.

Baby gates are usually the most effective choice as they keep your dog out of the kitchen altogether.

If gates aren’t an option, crate your dog before you start cooking and don’t release him until after the kitchen has been thoroughly cleaned up.

What Should He Do Instead?

Once Prevention is installed, you can start training your dog what he should do in the kitchen instead of surf.

Ultimately, I like the dog to learn that a human at the counter means “lie down,” but you can start with a simple Four-On-The-Floor.

  1. When you’re ready to train, bring your dog into the kitchen

  2. Frequently drop or toss treats onto the ground as long as he has four feet on the floor

  3. Gradually increase the amount of time between treats

  4. After several minutes, escort your dog out of the kitchen

And that’s it for your first session! By frequently rewarding your dog for standing he’ll learn that he doesn’t have to surf to get the goodies. You’ll put them on the ground for him!

Making It Harder

Over time, you can incorporate more activity in the kitchen to your training time: can your dog keep Four-On-The-Floor while you open the fridge? Carry something to the counter? Wash your hands? Open a container of food?

Continue dropping treats frequently as you work through these distractions. Keeping his feet on the floor has to be worth it to your dog.

What Else?

If your dog is familiar with volunteering to Sit or Down without being asking, you can add that too.

Puppy Woola was a very predictable jumper and counter-surfer when she came to spend several days with me back in 2021. With rewards timed just right + a history of rewards for choosing to Sit and Down, she was able to stay off of me and the counters while I prepped wet dog food! Tap here to watch me do it with puppy Woola here.

Familiarity with a Relaxation Protocol (like Dr Overall’s) or Mat Work can also be very helpful for solving counter-surfing!


If you need professional in-home help for your counter-surfer, check out Koinonia’s Rowdy Dog training programs.

Leighann Hurley, CPDT-KA

Leighann founded Koinonia Dogs in 2014 and has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer since 2019.

She's a problem-solver by nature and loves creating cooperation through conflict-free communication so both ends of the leash enjoy life together.

Tap to watch the Dog Trainer work

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