Do you have a dog that likes to “counter surf” or jump up on the counter?

Today we’re going to talk about a problem that a lot of people have. It is called “counter surfing.” That’s when your dog decides to put their paws or their entire body up on your counter to try to gain access to something that they think is reinforcing.

So as with any behavior that we would like to modify, the very first step is that we want to try to set up the environment for success. And in the case of counter surfing, that means clearing off the counters or tables of anything that would be of interest to your dog.

So you want to make it easy for them to get it “right.” Then separately you would want to teach them some options for an incompatible or an alternative behavior. That might be something like settling on a mat.

You want to make that behavior so reinforcing that they wouldn’t even think about going near the counters because settling on a mat is so much better. And then we build a long and strong reinforcement history for that settle on a mat behavior or other incompatible or alternative option. Such that your dog doesn’t even consider going up to the counter and trying to get on it or to peek up and see what’s there.

Instead it’s their idea to automatically gravitate towards the alternative behavior, the settle on the mat, because you’ve made that behavior highly reinforcing.

Prefer to watch the “Stop Counter Surfing” video? See below.

Does your dog suffer from Separation Anxiety?

Nobody wants their pet to suffer and trying to figure out how to resolve your pup’s separation anxiety can feel overwhelming and frustrating. For a dog that is suffering from separation anxiety, it is like they are having a panic attack every time their family leaves them.

I’ve been working with clients for many years helping them to learn how to teach their dogs to feel more relaxed when home alone. Today I am happy to announce that I’m launching my separation anxiety course, and if you grab a copy right now, it’s discounted by 10% using the code: LAUNCH.

With instructional videos, a comprehensive discussion with a veterinarian, and client examples, you will gain a more comprehensive understanding of separation anxiety and the route to resolution.

I created this resource so that you don’t have to continue wondering what is going with your best friend. The course was developed by qualified professionals with appropriate credentials, certifications, experience, and education to help you and your dog overcome the struggles associated with separation anxiety.

Through the use of positive reinforcement, with a desensitization protocol, families can begin to lessen the anxiety and fear that their dog is experiencing.

You can enroll in the Separation Anxiety course with a special 10% launch discount by entering code: LAUNCH.

Are you a deaf dog pet parent? Do you struggle when it comes to training your dog?

About nine years ago, Blanca (my deaf pup), came into my life after she was rescued from the streets of Puerto Rico. Due to her having been homeless with minimal interactions with people, Blanca was mouthy, jumpy, and overly excited around humans. In fact, she was so enthusiastic to see people that she would leap up with her front paws and put your arm in her mouth.

As a professional dog trainer and animal behavior consultant I knew that I could work with her incorporating patience and positive reinforcement training techniques. At the start I was using a standard auditory clicker as a marker as we hadn’t yet figured out that Blanca was deaf! In hindsight she was responding to my mechanics, timing, and the yummy treats in my pouch vs. any sound she could (or could not!) hear!

Whatever issues you might like to work on, or even it you just want to learn how to train more effectively, the following protocol is the cornerstone to set everyone up for success.

The three most critical steps when trying to train your dog are the following.

Step one is to always avoid rehearsing the unwanted behavior. This may mean using a baby gate or a leash so that your dog doesn’t have the chance to practice the unwanted behavior–thus getting better at it.

The next step is to reinforce behaviors that you like which your pup already offers—such as, four paws on the floor!

The final step is to separately teach an incompatible or an alternative behavior. This new behavior will ultimately become your dog’s go-to response if you build a long and strong reinforcement history for it. For example, if your dog is a jumper, this means that instead of meeting people and jumping up on them your dog will automatically default to offering the new behavior (that you do like) for greetings.

With respect to Blanca’s training, I loaded up my treat pouch full of hotdogs and cheese–ostensibly high value items for most dogs–and began marking and reinforcing her for keeping her feet planted on the ground and or her bottom on the floor. By marking and reinforcing these incompatible behaviors I was able to teach her what I wanted her to do instead—and made these new behaviors “worthwhile” from her perspective!

If you are struggling to train your deaf dog, or if you are getting frustrated by the overwhelming amount of information out there, I am excited to announce that my Deaf Dog training course has launched!

In this course I will work step-by-step with you on how to effect behavioral change using modern, effective, positive reinforcement training methods. The course specifically covers issues, such as: mouthiness, counter surfing, crate training, and loose leash walking.

Additionally you will learn…

• The secrets of training like a professional.
• The way to understand how to change behavior while increasingly building a positive relationship and avoiding dangerous consequences of outdated aversive methods.
• The keys to improve your skills to have better communication with your deaf pup.
• The route to gain better awareness about how to reinforce those behaviors you want to see more of.
• The path to create opportunities for a better relationship with your deaf dog!

The deaf dog training course is full of lessons, demos, and hands-on practical videos.

To sign up for the course follow this link and use the code LAUNCH to receive 10% off (limited quantity and only for the next 48 hours).

Happy Training!