Dogs like to get comfortable and snuggle up with you. So, a soft couch in the living room can be very hard to resist. But even the most ardent dog lovers may not want muddy paws or doggy drool on their couch. So, how do you keep dogs off the couch?
Keep reading for some tips on how to make the couch less of a temptation for your pooch. If your dog has got into a bad habit of hanging out on your couch, we’ll give you some re-training tips so he’ll understand that the couch is off limits.
The decision to allow or prohibit your dog from the couch is a personal one. Some dog parents love to have their dog snuggle with them on the couch. Dogs show affection through touch and close contact, so they will often sit on your feet when you settle down in the living room. Snuggling on the couch can be a great way for dogs and humans to bond and spend quality time together.
But having your furry friend on the couch can also be annoying. Besides muddy pawprints on your best cushions, it can become a problem if your dog starts to think he owns the couch.
Watch out for behaviors like snarling or growling when you try to sit on the couch yourself. This might indicate that your dog has become territorial. Remember, dogs are pack animals and think of humans as members of their pack. When you give your dog couch privileges, you are indirectly telling him he is equal to you, and this can sometimes lead to problematic behavior.
Here are some tips to keep your dog off the couch:
If you allow your dog on the couch some nights and want her off at other times, it sends mixed signals to your pooch. This can make it harder for her to understand the rules of the household.
Be consistent in keeping your dog off the couch and/or any other furniture. Everyone in the family should be onboard with the no-dogs-on-the-couch policy. This will send a clear and consistent message to your dog that the couch is off limits. Keep in mind that it’s easier to train your puppy from the very beginning to stay off the couch. An adult dog whose couch privileges are suddenly taken away can be harder to re-train.
If you don’t want your dog on the couch, it’s important to give him an alternative comfy space to relax. When you’re shopping for your dog, consider buying a donut-style bed instead of a flat pad dog bed. The former has a bolster for your dog to lean against.
Keep your dog’s bed close to the couch so that he or she doesn’t feel left out of family activities like movie night. It may be worth investing in a second dog bed if you live in a multi-level home. Having his own comfortable space that’s close to where the rest of the family is sitting on the couch can work wonders in keeping your dog off the couch.
If your dog still prefers the couch to his own bed, try placing a treat-stuffed toy tied down to his bed.
If you often come home after work to find pawprints on your couch or a chewed-up cushion, you know how challenging it can be to keep your dog off the couch when you’re not at home. If possible, make the living room out of bounds by locking the door. If the layout of your home does not permit this, try using a baby gate to make the couch inaccessible.
Other strategies include placing a dog-safe scat mat on your couch which makes a shrill sound when your dog sits on it. Some people find that a car floor mat is an inexpensive solution. When placed upside down on your couch, the gripping bristles on the mat’s underside can discourage your dog from sitting on the couch.
It may also help to keep your dog busy while you’re away. Along with training your dog to stay off the couch when you’re at home, this may ultimately keep him off the couch at all times.
It requires love and patience to retrain a dog who has become used to hanging out on the couch. Re-training your dog to stay off the couch involves using the “no” or “off” command every time your dog jumps on the couch. Keep some treats handy or use a part of your dog’s dinner if she’s kibble fed to reinforce that the couch is off limits. Give your dog a treat every time she follows directions and stays away from the couch.
Another re-training strategy is to throw a treat a few feet away from the couch. This will get your dog off the furniture and teach him that tasty treats await away from the couch. Follow this up by immediately leading your dog to his bed and giving him another treat.
Tin foil or bubble wrap can be an inexpensive way to keep your dog off the couch. In general, dogs don’t like things that feel strange under their feet or make sounds. Leaving a piece of bubble wrap or tin foil on your couch for a few days might just do the trick and stop your dog from climbing on the couch.
Some people find that using non-toxic essential oils can keep a dog off the couch. Dogs hate certain smells and will do anything to avoid them. Fortunately, many of these smells are pleasant to humans. Try using citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, cinnamon, lemon, apple cider vinegar, or coffee grounds to break your dog’s persistent habit of jumping on the couch. You can make a solution by combining a few drops of essential oils to water. This may work as a home-made dog repellent for your couch.
You may need to try a few different things to see what works best for your dog, but these tips and tricks should help in keeping your dog off the couch.
24 December, 2022