Hund klaut Essen vom Tisch: So hört es auf

One single successful theft rewards better than a hundred training sessions – that's why counter surfing is so persistent.

Step 1: Management

As long as the training is ongoing, there's nothing to gain: never leave food unattended. Every success sets you back weeks.

Step 2: The mat place during meals

The dog learns: While you eat, he lies on his mat – and AFTERWARDS he gets something in his bowl (never from the table!). Build up in short sessions outside of mealtimes.

Step 3: Generalize "leave it"

From a treat in your hand to bread on the edge of the table – in stages, always rewarded from your hand.

The most common mistake

Giving something from the table just once. Just once – and the dog is betting again. Consistency from the entire family is everything; the family cheat sheet in the Everyday Toolkit helps with this. The "leave it" foundation: "Listens to a tee".