Dogs are great company but sometimes you need to crack the code on how to keep a dog off your couch. This way, your couch looks new and good for long and you also get to enjoy some personal space on the couch.
There’s no doubt about it—dogs are cute and cuddly, but when they jump on the couch to rest their heads on your lap, they’re invading your personal space.
Figuring out how to keep a dog off your couch is a step towards ensuring that the dog does not knock things over the table. These tips will teach you how to avoid the problem and help you keep your pet off your couch.
Tips On How To Keep A Dog Off Your Couch
Give them their own space
If your dog has their own place, the couch will seem like a step-down. Invest in one of the nicest dog beds your budget permits, understanding that the more comfortable it is, the less likely they are to want to climb up on the couch.
Avoid anything too flat when purchasing a dog bed and instead opt for something with a comfortable feel. Donut-style beds and luxury dog beds with a bolster are good options because they have sides against which your dog may lay his head – which is frequently half the appeal of your couch!
Make sure the bed is close to where you are, as this will make your dog feel like they’re still a part of the family, and make it homier by furnishing it with a lovely blanket. Adding a few of the greatest dog toys to their living environment will also assist to make it more enticing. You could also consider buying a few so your dog has a place to call home in all of your main living areas, such as the kitchen, bedroom, and family room.
Fill a thin rope with peanut butter or treats and tie it to a neighboring table leg or another piece of heavy furniture near your dog’s bed. Your dog will quickly learn that when he hangs out on his bed, good things happen!
Train them
You’ve probably caught your dog chilling on the couch. Then, it’s time to train him to move away from the couch. Figuring out how to keep a dog off your couch through training can seem like a difficult task but once you give it a try you will realize how easy it is.
Throw a small treat on the ground and say, “Off” and make a sweeping hand gesture with your open hand as your dog gets up from the couch. Saying the cue when he moves from the couch will teach your dog to move his feet and legs off the couch.
Always praise your dog when he chooses to go to his bed and sleep. Always acknowledge him for that choice.
Others might suggest that you put your dog on the couch or get it to go on the couch so that you can do the ‘off’ command. While this will certainly help to help your dog learn the “off” cue, it might teach him an accidental lesson.
Clever dogs sometimes think that getting up on the couch to get a reward for getting off, and they might jump up on the couch more frequently in an effort to get you to use the “off” cue and give them treats.
Hinder access to the couch
Lastly, another tip on how to keep a dog off your couch is by hindering access. You can block your dog’s access to furniture with baby gates, by turning the cushions upright, or by putting something on the furniture like an upside-down laundry bucket.
If your dog likes to get up on the furniture to look out the windows, you should give her a window perch to rest on while she watches the view outside. Smaller breed dogs that like to look out the windows may appreciate a set of pet steps or a “cat sill” to rest on.
Dogs react to new sights and sound in your home, which is why you need to work on training your dog. If he’s reactive to seeing something or wanting to come to you while you’re working, you’ll want to create a barrier between them and your furniture.
To get your dog off the furniture, you can use things like scat mats, which vibrate, uncomfortable upside-down vehicle mats, or even a distracting loud noise. However, if you follow the training and management strategies indicated above, you shouldn’t require unpleasant instruments like these.
Some dogs may develop a generalized dread of furniture, things that resemble mats (such as a dog bed or blanket), and loud noises as a result of these tactics.
Learn more about Guide To keeping Dogs Warm Outside: 5 Useful Tips
Final Thoughts
In the beginning, your dog was just a puppy. Now it’s a big baby that loves to snuggle and cuddle. He loves to be close to you, and he loves to be close to other people, too. So, you start thinking of how to keep a dog off your couch. This could be because you don’t want the dog on the couch for one of the many reasons out there.
There’s nothing wrong with allowing your dog onto the couch, but if you want them to stay off, consistency and rewarding the desired behavior are crucial. Dogs can be easily trained, all you need is consistency and patience.
Remember that using treats and praise as positive reinforcement is a lot easier and more enjoyable way to train your dog.
Read more about Where Should Your Puppy Sleep The First Night Home? The 3 Best Options!
FAQs
Why has my dog suddenly started jumping on the sofa?
Dogs jump on the couch for a number of reasons, for instance, they know they will be rewarded, it is comfortable, they want attention or they want to show affection.
Why do dogs like to sleep on couches, Should I let my dog jump on the couch?
Dogs often sleep on the couch because it is comfortable. There is nothing wrong with letting your dog jump on the couch. It is a matter of preference, some people prefer not to have their dogs on the couch while others do not have a problem with it.
What home remedy will keep dogs off furniture?
One of the most effective ways is consistent training. If your dog knows that he will get rewarded for staying off the couch, then he will likely stay off the couch.