Tips for Keeping Your Dog off the Couch

Couches and sofas are known to attract dogs because they provide a comfortable, warm space that has that familiar scent of their humans. Such spaces offer a connection to a dog’s family, a good vantage point of a room, and, in some cases, an even better view of the outdoors.

While some pet owners are happy to share these spaces, doing so isn’t always ideal for everyone. Both stances are valid, but if you’re keen on keeping your pup on the floor and away from the furniture, we have some expert tips for you. In this post, we’ll discuss some ways to keep your dog off of your couch that will both ensure their comfort while letting you maintain a clean home.

5 Tips for Keeping Your Dog off Couches and Sofas

Though sharing furniture with dogs has its benefits, doing so can introduce hair and dirt onto furniture, as well as lead to a lot of wear and tear. If you want to take the route of keeping your furry friends off your couches and sofas, we’ve got you covered with tips taken from our lead dog trainer, Brandis Fishel.

1. Begin the “No-Couch” Policy Early

To start, you’ll want to establish boundaries and not put your dog on the couch or encourage them to hop up. The key here is to implement the “no-couch” policy as soon as possible. When your puppy is young, they are quite impressionable. The more you spend time with them, conditioning them to the ways of your home and what is acceptable, the more they learn and understand what and what isn’t allowed.

If you let them know that dogs are not allowed on the couch when they are young, you should be able to avoid all of the not-so-glorious things that come with having dogs on your furniture, like drool on your blankets or dog hair that sticks to your pants. To further encourage the no-couch policy, engage in playtime on the floor and keep toys around so that they don’t have to think about hopping up where they don’t belong.

2. Stay Consistent

Let’s say you just got a new couch that you don’t want your dog on, or maybe things are simply changing around your home, and you want to set new boundaries. In such situations, you might be wondering how to keep an older dog off the furniture. While it’s better to start them young, it’s not impossible to change course.

Consistency and positive reinforcement will be the best approaches to take. A little treat given to avoid the couch or your other furniture will signal to them that they are behaving and following the new rules.

Now, you might be wondering how long it will take for this to stick. The answer isn’t definitive. Brandis Fishel says, “The time it takes to train a dog to stay off the furniture depends on the guardian’s consistency of working on this habit. Some dogs may need to be refreshed continuously, while other dogs may understand and follow the boundary after a few days.” So, if you are in the process of training, don’t forget to be patient!

3. Use Positive Reinforcement

As our lead trainer Brandis notes, “First, you need to establish a positive mark that tells your dog that they are doing a behavior correctly. Then, you need to establish a place or spot that your dog should relax on instead of the couch. After that, you can begin to work with your dog by asking them to get off the couch and rewarding them for getting down, staying down, and especially laying on their place.”

Now, let’s talk a little bit more about “their place.”

4. Create a Nice Area That Isn’t on the Couch

If you don’t want your dog on the couch, incentivize them to stay on the floor by creating a cozy spot for them to hang out. If your alternative to keeping your pet off the couch is to make them sit on a cold, hardwood floor, they might not be thrilled. As our trainer, Brandis, likes to say, “Give them a quality bed to call their own.” Thus, it’s important to create a designated spot for them that offers the same comfort that the couch would.

Whether this means getting a cozy dog bed or putting some pillows on the floor with their favorite blanket, creating a spot where they can be comfortable and still feel close to you is essential. If they don’t like the space, don’t be afraid to try other options. Something is going to stick, but be patient and kind throughout the process. Make sure this cozy spot is near your furniture so they can still feel connected to you.

5. Avoid Tactics That Spark Fear

It might be a long process to keep your dog off the couch, but it is important to avoid tactics that make them fearful. Brandis encourages dog parents to “Never punish or yell at a dog for being on the couch. And do not assume they know better.” While it might be frustrating if your dog is not listening to you, it’s important not to ruin the strong bond you have by taking your anger out on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are certain dog breeds more likely to jump onto furniture?

According to Brandis’s expertise, no dog breed is more prone to jumping on furniture when compared to others, so all dog owners should be in roughly the same starting position.

How can I stay consistent when trying to keep my dog off couches and sofas?

Brandis always emphasizes the importance of consistency when teaching a dog a new habit, stating, “Try to avoid confusing them by not asking them to come up onto the furniture when it’s convenient for you.” This goes for the other members of your household, too. Make sure that everyone knows that training is occurring and be sure to encourage them to follow the same rules. Ensuring consistent rule enforcement reduces confusion for your pup and leads to more effective outcomes

Should I use a deterrent to keep my dog off the couch?

As stated previously, we strongly encourage avoiding tactics that spark fear in your pet, as you do not want to damage your relationship. However, if you really want to enforce the rules when you’re not around and help to manage them and their behavior, you could use a mild deterrent.

One example would be soft rubber spikes that will prevent them from using the furniture, but you may want to initially monitor their behavior and reactions to the spikes. If the rubber spikes really bother them, you should look for a different solution.

Obedience Training at Pet Palace Can Help Keep Your Dog off the Couch

If DIY methods for keeping your dog off the couch aren’t working, try reaching out for professional help. Pet Palace offers dog training at select locations, including Columbus, Pittsburgh, Cary, and West Chester.

All of these locations offer three different programs: the Polite Puppy Program, the 10-Day Basic Adult Program, and the 20-Day Advanced Adult Program. Our classes are taught by expert trainers who all have dogs of their own and are dedicated to pet care, instruction, and education.

Enrolling your pup in our classes can teach them safety, confidence, sociability, independence, and obedience – all of which are essential when you need to set boundaries, like keeping them off couches and sofas.

Contact Us Today to Make an Appointment

If you’re interested in enrolling your dog in our training classes, be sure to contact one of our facilities today! We look forward to meeting you and your pup.

Categories: Dogs, Tips for Your Pets