Canines on the Couch

Many dog or puppy owners allow their pets on the furniture. To some extent, this is a personal preference… after all, if you don’t mind the dog hair on the couch, why not? However, muddy paws set aside, there are many behavioral factors to consider.

Dogs are instinctively den animals which think of their family members as their “pack.” By allowing dogs on the bed or sofa, they can instinctively feel equal or above their humans in the pecking order. For some dogs, this can lead to territorial behavior wherein they guard the furniture as their own. Many a pet owner has lamented “I don’t mind my dog being on the bed, but she snarls and snaps when I try to move her!”

Other dogs may not have as obvious a problem. But overall, dogs who are treated as equals tend to be less respectful of owner’s commands and household rules in general. Dog training problems are much more common with sofa dogs than “non sofa” dogs.

Additional concerns include that, while you may not mind the dog napping on the couch, most people prefer their pet not ricochet off their guests, or leap from chair to chair. Unfortunately it’s difficult for most dogs, especially puppies, to understand that the sofa is only for napping, not playing.

Finally, people who don’t yet have children often find that once a newborn arrives on the scene, they regret the day they ever let their pet on the furniture.

If you’ve already been allowing your dog on the furniture and would now like to change, it can easily be accomplished. Earning your dog’s respect through obedience commands, combined with consistently redirecting your dog to a different spot will soon have your dog sleeping nicely on his dog bed. Dog training involves consistency and repetition, so be diligent and don’t give in, and your dog will soon habitually stay off. Then you will be able to fully stretch out on the sofa!

If you don’t mind your dog being on the furniture, but would like to establish a level of respect and have him learn that sofas are only for resting, this can be accomplished by first teaching your dog that he is not allowed on, and then eventually teaching him that he is welcome to come on only if invited. Use the down/stay command both for keeping him off, and for after you let him on, so he learns that ricocheting is not allowed.