Eager dogs may want to jump on the kitchen counter to help herself/himself to the food or other items just out of reach. That, of course, can be really frustrating when the Thanksgiving Turkey is appropriated by the dog before dinner. As your dog begins to learn basic commands, you can begin to teach him a ‘leave it’ or similar command. Test his compliance with treats on the counter. The command, ‘Off’, may also help curb the jumping. When the dog does ‘leave it,’ you’ve got to reward the dog with praise.