Counter surfing, scavenging and "hoovering" all describe a spaniel's relentless pursuit of food wherever they can find it. Counter surfing means jumping up or standing on hind legs to snatch food from worktops and tables, while scavenging and hoovering refer to hunting out scraps, crumbs and dropped food around the house, garden or on walks.

It can happen the moment your back is turned in the kitchen, during walks or even mid-conversation at the dinner table. This is one of the most common behavioural complaints among spaniel owners, largely because spaniels were bred as gundogs with an exceptional nose and a strong food drive, making them particularly prone to it.

Why do dogs scavenge?

There are several overlapping reasons why spaniels are especially likely to counter surf and scavenge:

Natural instincts and breed tendencies. Spaniels were originally bred to sniff out and retrieve game, giving them an extremely powerful sense of smell and a natural drive to seek out food.

Environmental triggers. Easy access to worktops, unattended plates or food left within reach simply makes success more likely, and if a dog has succeeded once, they'll keep trying.

Emotional or physical needs. Dogs who are underfed, on a restrictive diet or not mentally stimulated enough often turn to scavenging to fill a gap, whether that gap is nutritional or simply boredom.

Common misconceptions. Many owners assume their dog is being "naughty" or "greedy," but counter surfing and scavenging are self-rewarding behaviours. Your dog isn't being defiant; they're doing what has worked for them before.

How to support a spaniel that scavenges for food

Step 1: Remove the reward. 

Keep worktops, tables and bins consistently clear of food and secure any bins with a locking lid. If scavenging never pays off, your spaniel has far less reason to keep trying.

Step 2: Increase mental and physical stimulation. 

Bored, under-stimulated spaniels are more likely to scavenge out of frustration. Add puzzle feeders, snuffle mats and scent work games to give their nose a job to do in appropriate ways.

Step 3: Teach a reliable "leave it" and "off" cue. 

Practise these cues with low-value items first, gradually building up to more tempting food, and reward generously for compliance rather than relying on telling your dog off after the fact.

Step 4: Reward calm behaviour near food. 

When your spaniel chooses to lie down or ignore food on a counter or table, mark and reward that choice immediately, so they learn that ignoring food is just as rewarding as trying to steal it.

Step 5: Manage the environment on walks. 

If scavenging is a problem outdoors, keep your spaniel on a lead in high-risk areas such as picnic spots or verges near takeaway wrappers, and build up a strong recall and "leave it" before allowing more freedom.

Step 6: Review their diet and feeding routine. 

If scavenging seems driven by hunger, speak to your vet about whether your spaniel's current diet and portion sizes are meeting their needs.

Counter surfing and scavenging can feel relentless, but they're rarely about naughtiness; they're a natural, self-rewarding behaviour rooted in your spaniel's instincts as a gundog. With consistent management, plenty of mental stimulation and reward-based training, most spaniels can learn to leave food alone, even when temptation is close at hand. Progress may be gradual, but with patience, it's entirely achievable.