Any tricks for keeping the Dog off the couch?

[Billy2]

We have a female chow, lab, mut mix that is great... But she keeps slppeing on the couch. She will never go on it while were around but we keep finding hair on it. When we get up in the morning she will jump off real quick but if you feel the couch it is still warm...

Any tips guys and gals?

Thanks

Bill

[MCPreacher]

Aluminum foil.

Just lay out a length of tin foil on the cushions. It will freak her out when she jumps up.

[Zonny]

My dog does the same thing. She is allowed on the furniture but not in my bed.

When I gt up in the AM and head to the shower, she's in it. As soon as I turn the shower off, I hear her feet hit the floor. Actually, I think it's kinda funny. Like a kid who knows better trying to get away with something.

I think we need dumber dogs. :)

[hagar]

Crate train the dog. My dog never has the run of the house when I am away.

[Billy2]

We like letting her have the run of the house for security reasons. We keep the bed room doors closed while were gone. She is a great dog but likes to test us some times. I really like the tin foil trick.

[mitchshrader]

to keep the dog off the couch you can

sell the couch.

get a much bigger dog who is jealous and territorial.

get a much bigger couch the dog likes better.

get a divorce and keep the couch while the ex gets the dog.

just lie and say you trained him to do that. :)

[TurboRocket]

My two GSDs are allowed on the couch only when invited, and they have the run of the house 24/7. They don't try to get on when no one is home, or when I'm on the couch; only when invited. I'm not sure how it ended up that way other than crate training, telling them no when they were younger, and also the general training philosophy that they must be given permission to do anything. Also, try getting a nice fluffy doggy bed and put her on it, and praise her a lot when she is on it. And then in conjunction, turn your cushions vertical when you leave and she will probably get the idea that doggy bed OK, couch not OK. The tin foil sounds interesting and seems like it's also worth a try.

[Blinky]

Crate train the dog. My dog never has the run of the house when I am away.
I would probably go this route also.

A dog jumping on the couch when your gone and hopping off of it when they see you, really shows a lack of respect on the dogs part. Which really translates into a lack of leadership on yours.

You can try tin foil or electric mats etc..those will probably work but, I see crate training as the better option. Read the the ask a trainer thread at the top of the forum. There is a lot of good info from G20 on the proper way to crate train. Just remember that the crate is never to be used as a punishment for anything, ever.

edit:
We like letting her have the run of the house for security reasons. We keep the bed room doors closed while were gone. She is a great dog but likes to test us some times. I really like the tin foil trick.
ok, never mind. I didn't see that.

[Billy2]

She really is a good well trained dog. She does have a dog pillow that she spends a lot of time on. If you tell her to go to her bed she will run over and lie down on it. Also if you snap your fingers she will come and sit by your feet.

When ever anyone comes on on near the property she will bark snd let us know.

But when its late at night and no one is around she sneeks up on the couch. She stays in the living room and it is a little drafty. She may be looking for warmth on the couch.

This morning it was kinda funny to see the big crumple in the tinfoil. ;-0

[pjva04]

If it is a bit drafty, you could consider elevating her pillow/bed in conjunction with reinforcement of the no couch rule. I am sure you could get your hands on a wooden pallet and top it with 1/2" plywood. Then wrap an old sheet, curtain, or some other type of fabric that matches your decor around it. Put the pillow/bed on top, and viola!

[mike1969]

Hm...tin foil dog repellents.... You can also try rat traps. Get about 5 or 6 or so, make them so they are set. Very carefully put them up side down on the couch. We all now how frustrating those things can be to set. And that snapping noise. Well anyway, pile them on the couch. Leave room, go to bed, play on the computer, whatever. You will those traps snapping off and probably hear the dog leaping off the couch startled by the noise. Do this a couple of times and they will more likely stop if they see them on the couch.

I never thought about tin foil. I might try that with Maggie in a little while. Its about time for her to go outside one more time for the night before I go to bed. After she goes she runs to the couch. She is allowed on the couch, but not my bed unless I let her up or I dont feel good and she wont get down. Might be fun for laughs for a few minutes

On a funny note, any of you guys tie a balloon the their tail or collar. Hilarity ensues. Dog is like what the hell is that??!?!? Try it...

[LittleLebowski]

My GSD understands the couch is by invitation only but you might try simply turning the couch cushions upright to keep her off of it.

[mike1969]

I meant to come back to this earlier. I put alumnium foil on the couch. I wish I had the video camera rolling when she leapt up, crinkle, crinkle and a very loud arf. She immediately jumped sideways over the coffee table and landed on the floor. She make a run for it again, more crinkle crinkle and she did the same jump again. I have never seen a dog jump like that. She jumped completley sideways off the couch. Almost like someone tossed her like that.....Since the tin foil she hasnt gotten up there. Crazy dog. Very funny to see. Im going to recommend the tin foil to my mom who has a cat who likes to sleep on her pillow.

[mike1969]

Oh by the way, I have one of those crappy recliner couches with the lumps in the middle and cant really move the cushions up.

[Rotn1]

I have big lumps on all my furniture too....... they are called Rottweilers.

They do run the house, as they should. They snore, pass gass and are generally a couple of clowns. They make less of a mess than my teen age boys and never talk back. They are always happy to see me. Best of all they are less maintenance and spend less money than my wife.

Couches and beds were made for dogs. Get use to it and enjoy every day you have with your dogs, you'll miss them terribly when they are gone.
They expect so little and give you everything they have.