Dog won't stay off couch

[Iowa Roo Mom]

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Not to get off topic but...

My boy is Pitt x too and him and Roo Chicken are completely ok together

I just had to add my two cents in... sorry

 

[RestlessCrow]

Once you've started the "on the couch, on the bed" thing it will be tough. I do not allow the dogs on the couch OR the bed. Once you allow them on one and not the other, for some reason they can't seem to make the distinction.

Try flipping the couch cushions up.

Duct tape works WONDERS. (Especially for cats on counters.)

Get a small air horn from a boating store... If you catch him in the act of getting ON to the couch, blow the horn. TRUST me. He'll probably bounce off two walls on the way out of the room. (This does not work too well if you catch him already on the couch. You want this to deter him from getting in the first place.

Scold and "Lecture" him everytime you catch him. Drag him over, in your sternest voice say "bad" and put his nose on the couch. Use your finger and gently smack his nose. You want to get a submissive reaction and an "I did bad mommy (or daddy) and I'm very sorry" face.

The air horn has worked best for me however... Just my thoughts.

 

[wombat]

I had a room-mate way back when, and his dog liked the couch. We put mouse traps underneath a sheet of newspaper. After a while, we only had to put a sheet of newspaper on the couch ... eventually, the dog was used to his bed and we didn't need the paper at all.

Another trick is to put a tack through a loop of tape, and tape this to the side of a balloon so the tack is not quite touching it. Put a few of these on the couch, he'll pop a few balloons.

The balloon thing works great for the bottom of the trash can for trash-can divers too.

Like MJS said, though ... if he's been allowed the use of the couch and it smells like his bed to him, good luck breaking him of it.

 

[ozark hen]

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P.C. just buy a leather couch, you aren't going to win.

 

[insiderart]

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P.C. just buy a leather couch, you aren't going to win.

 

[Luna_Chick66]

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how old is your dog and how long has he and you been fighting this?

Jake's 2 1/2 years old. He's a big lovable pup really. I've been trying to get him to stop for at least 6 months.

I am sure he is a big lovable pup, but... what's that saying? "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"

I did the same thing with my dogs... let them on the couch for years. Now that I changed my mind about them being on MY couch (they have thier own couch in the computer room) I have to manage the situation. I can't just press the 'stay off the couch' button on the remote control... it's just not gonna work, so I put the baby gate across MY couch when I am not on it.

If I don't put the gate on the couch they will be on it... not because of spite or anything like that, but because they've always been allowed on it and they like it there.

 

[AK Michelle]

Just bathe Jake in something you like the smell of. I used to take my lab in the shower once a week because she went everywhere with me. Even old folks homes and other peoples houses. Yes she was invited I'm not THAT rude. She knew to stay off the furniture, but I'm hardcore, no couch, no chair, no bed. And only in the front of the truck if it's really cold.

After the first couple shower we had a routine, took just about 5 minutes and she was spiffy and smelled great.

But I do have a passle of mouse traps, cause my Chessie doesn't learn quite so fast

 

[Brindlebtch]

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I was reading through this thread thinking 'if he objects to the smell why doesn't he just wash the dog?'

I'm so glad you mentioned it. I was wondering if I had missed something and for some reason this wasn't an option.

I don't think this is a dominance issue. I think the bed and sofa are probably just the most comfortable places to be. Once the option is open dogs do like the comfort. Unless you used a preventive measure when you aren't there Jake will continue to get on the sofa. Besides, someone's gotta be in charge when you aren't home. Might as well be Jake.

 

[AHappychick]

hey PC I have some scat mats you can borrow in my garage. You put them on the couch and they ommit a light static shock when touched. They are used to keep cats and dogs of counters and couches and such, just make sure you turn them off before you sit down

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Duct tape Jake to the floor when you are away from the house.