I am very desperate. I have a lab mix we adopted over a year and a half ago. She was about 7months when we got her. I have been having problems with her taking food off the counter when I am not looking. Yesterday she took my bake potato off my plate on the counter, I had walked about 10steps to take my kids their plates on the deck. She was on a down stay outside the kitchen (which I have always required her out of the kitchen for food prep and eating). THis is the second time she has run in to do this. And I am at a loss for how to stop or if I can even stop this behavior. We have a training collar on her but even it has not detered her from continuing this behavior. Help please with any advise. I feel like if I can't break the habit I have to give her up. I can't have a dog on the counter when I have 3 small children in the home.

My dog was having the same problem. Even going so far as knock us over to get the food. We did a couple different things. First, the only food he got was what came from his food bowl. So scraps extras, any of that only went in his bowl and was given to him during his feeding times. We also wouldn't let him in the kitchen or where we were eating while we were eating(dining room, porch ect). And last we watched him like a hawk until he got the idea. Even if I dropped a crump on the floor and he went for it, we would say no if he went for it and take it out of his mouth if he got it..and praise him if he didn't. I have also heard of putting food somewhere (floor, counter) and when he goes for it say no, when he ignores it praise him and give him a treat. Hope any of those ideas help!

there are some dog repelents that have smells dog hate. maybe that'll kep him away. have you tried taking him to a different room when you eat? cause it's just torture to eat in front of a dog. they have an amazing sense of smell. it's like me eating your favorite food in front of you and me not sharing it with you. only worse. so be nice to your dog and put him in a separate room!