How To Stop Counter Surfing
Well the New Year is rapidly approaching. Rach and I are getting ready to go up to New Hampshire to bring in the New Year at her sister’s house.
She always has some friends over and the topic of dog training always comes up, which is good, because I love talking about dogs and training.
Recently I was at a Christmas party and was listening to a group of people talking about their dogs. The lady speaking stated that she had hired two different dog trainers and that it is impossible to stop dogs from stealing food off the counters or tables.
I never do this, especially around strangers, but I stepped forward, gently raised my hand and said, “You’re in luck, I can fix your problem.”
With a doubtful look she asked, “Oh yeah, who the heck are you?”
I calmly replied that I am The Amazing Dog Training Man.
After she finished laughing she said, “Okay Mr. Amazing Dog Training Man, how would you stop my dogs from counter surfing?”
With confidence, I strode over to the computer and showed her this video:
All the best,
Eric
P.S. Wishing you and your dog a Healthy, Happy New Year!
P.P.S. If you want your dog to behave in 2010, check out The Dog Training Inner Circle.
December 30th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Great stuff, Eric! I have to show this to my Mom – every time she walks away from the table her dog literally steals her sandwich off her plate. I think little Muffy the Bichon is in for a big surprise!! =) Thank you!
December 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Thank you SO much for this! Having several coonhounds, their nose is always getting them into trouble. Can’t wait to try this.
December 30th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Excellent trick.
I embedded your video on my blog.
Thanks.
December 30th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I subscribe to your weekly newsletters. This technique is awesome and I have posted this video on my facebook. Its really getting great reviews.
December 30th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Interesting idea but not foolproof! It’s only a correction if the dog pulls the bagel off the counter. If the dog learns to eat the bagel on the counter, there’s no correction at all.
December 30th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Hi Eric, Someone emailed me this videon on counter surfing and lo and behold there you were. I used to bring my dog Magellan to you in Fall River and then in Westport. Hope all is going well. We now live in Arizona and Magellan just passed this Sept. at 13yrs old. He was a black and white PWD. He went to training and agaility and day care. Keep up the good work
Myrna Perry
Surprise, AZ
December 30th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Thanks for all the great comments. Sorry to here about Magellan Myrna.
Debra, there is a back up plan if the dog eats the bagel without pulling the bagel off the counter. I learned long ago that not every technique works on every dog so I do have a Plan B.
December 30th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
What do you do if your dog is deaf? There is very little dog training help for deaf dogs. Kind of discouraging. Many say do the same things, but until you have a deaf dog, it is easy to say what will or won’t work (white boxer).
Thanks,
Gus
December 30th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Hi Eric,
I really enjoyed this little video.
Short, clear and to the point.
Thanks!
Louise
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:40 am
Eric I have to say I absolutely love your training techniques. I’ve watched a number of videos of yours and they’re just fantastic!
Once the christmas hussle and bussle settles down I’ll definitely be investing in your training manual.
Merry Christmas.Happy New Year!
January 7th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Thanks Ais!
January 10th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Good stuff! You mention a plan “B” if the dog eats the bagel on the counter instead of pulling it … what’s the plan “B”?
January 11th, 2010 at 9:54 am
This is such a clever idea! I’ve never had this problem with my golden and left a roast out to thaw on the counter one morning when I had my lab & my golden. It was still there when I got back. My sister, however, has two counter surfers out of her pack of 4. Two of the labs are horrible. She tried the mouse trap method but got upset because it made her dog yelp. I said, um, that’s kind of the point! I can see where this method might even cure both dogs at once! I forwarded her your link.