To Couch, or not to Couch? That is the question. (Photo: white bulldog on lavish couch with throw pillows)
Dog lovers have friendly debates about treats, favourite products to remove the dreaded smell of skunk, and even which veterinarian is the best in town. But there’s usually no debating when it comes to whether or not they allow dogs on the furniture or not.
Some people LOVE having their dog on the couch. They love to snuggle up with their dog and watch a movie, take naps with them, and post pictures on social media.
Do you let your dog on the couch? (Photo: terrier sleeping on a red pillow on a couch)
Other people wouldn’t dream of allowing their dog on the couch. Some don’t want their couch to get dirty, while others may simply not have enough room to accommodate all three Great Danes, plus their human family, and two cats.
One thing to ask yourself (and be honest here) is who owns the couch?
That seems like a no-brainer. You BOUGHT the couch, right? So it’s obviously YOURS.
If that’s the case, you should be able to ask your dog to get off the couch (and your lap) right now and have them listen right away. Can you do that?
What about when your friends come over? Or your mom, who is a little scared of dogs. Does your dog walk overtop of them? Growl?
What about when your dog is sitting on your lap and someone else comes to sit beside you? Does your dog growl at them? Snap? Bite?
Will your dog readily share the couch with your guest? (Photo: Man pressing his hand onto a dog’s chest. The dog is laying on the couch and the man is sitting down beside him. The man has very little room.)
Here are some simple tips that you can practice right now to help reclaim YOUR couch. Remember: Be safe! If you think you need a behaviourist or trainer to show you how it’s done, call in some help. You wouldn’t hesitate to hire a piano teacher to teach your daughter to play the piano. It’s okay not to know how to be a dog trainer.
INVITE: When your dog is on the ground, pat the couch and invite them to join you. You should only invite a nice, calm dog up into your personal space. You can pair a word with patting the couch, if you like - for example, you could say: “Sally, up.” <Sally jumps onto the couch> “Good up.” By repeating the word “up,” you are communicating more clearly to Sally.
OFF: A lot of people find it easier to teach the OFF command while standing. Stand beside the couch, say “Sally, off,” and toss a tiny treat onto the floor. When she moves off, say “Good off.” You don’t need to use food. If your dog already listens to you, you may be able to simply point at the ground and say “off.”
Practice up and off together for five to ten minutes a day and see if you notice a difference in your relationship with your dog. When you practice ANY trick with your dog, be sure that you are in a positive state of mind. You want to share calmness and confidence with them. Think of a teacher you had in school who was far too strict and made learning a chore. Don’t be THAT teacher. Have rules and boundaries, but be joyful as well.
To quote from Alice in Wonderland: “No room. No room.” Is there room for you on YOUR couch? (Photo: GSD and Pit-X lounge on the couch)
Whether you want to allow your dog on the couch or not is up to you. Be sure that every roommate and/or family member is aware of your decision, so that everyone in the household is consistent.
If you are struggling with a dog who doesn’t listen to you and would like to learn how to claim your couch, schedule your FREE phone call with us today. We LOVE helping people reach their dog goals!
Have a wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photography by: Paolo Nicolello (white bulldog on lavish couch with throw pillows,) watcharlie (dog on red “ON” pillow on a couch), Oliver Engel (man pressing his hand onto a dog who lays on a couch,) and Cori Sears (GSD and Pit-X lounge on the couch.)