Dogs are furry balls of energy. They’ve got so much stamina in them to express their love and do silly things.
But what happens when this energy is expended on breakable items, like your table or sofa?
It can be frustrating to replace your furniture often. At the same time, it can drain not only your energy but your pockets as well.
That is why we will help you put an end to, if not, make the situation more manageable for you. Continue reading the article below to check how to achieve this feat.
How to Keep Dogs Off Furniture?
There are four things that we can do as fur parents to make our canine pals avoid jumping on furniture. First, you need to understand the reason or reasons behind this behavior. Once you figure this out, find ways to limit their access to the furniture. You can even combine the previous step with diverting their attention with things or activities they love so dogs will forget about climbing on fixtures. As much as possible, make the rules clear for your pup so he can easily follow them. But, no matter what tactic you use, make sure to do it consistently to avoid confusing your doggo on what he should and shouldn’t do.
Understand why your dog is drawn to your furniture
Of course, you have to understand where your fur baby is coming from. Do not just yell at them when you see them get on your couch.
If you notice that your dog only goes to your sofa to sleep, it may be that they find it very comfortable. In these cases, you may want to look for a cushier dog bed.
Afterward, help your dog get used to the new mattress. This will help them learn where they should and shouldn’t be.
Sometime in the past, you may have unknowingly reinforced your dog to be fond of the furniture. They somehow associated that by getting on or near your furniture, they will get treats.
The best solution for this is to teach your dog to unlearn the association and make way for new learning that leads them to keep off the sofa.
Also, your furniture may be attractive to your furry companion, smell-wise. Dogs love certain scents.
And it could be that they like a particular piece of furniture because it has an exciting odor on them. You may want to check on that furniture, or better yet, do a thorough cleaning on it.
Limit their access
The first thing you can do to deal with this behavior is prevention. By doing this, you are reducing any opportunity for your pet to do whatever you don’t want them to do.
Your dog will stay off your furniture if they can’t get to it.
Some ways to limit their access include removing cushions from the sofa when you leave. This way, your pet won’t get comfy as they can be with the cushions on.
They will then look for other places that are cozier for them to sleep. You may also put blocks (like boxes) on particular furniture.
A baby gate is also helpful to keep your furniture out of reach for your dog.
Some other owners get creative by using car floor mats. You may try this by placing the mat upside down on your pet’s favorite furniture. The bottom part has a gripping texture that will make the couch prickly, and therefore, uncomfortable.
There is also another type of mat you can utilize, a pet-friendly scat mat. It will make noise when your dog touches it.
Placing it on the furniture will surely deter your dog from getting near when they hear the shrill sound.
Divert the pup’s attention from the furniture
Diverting your canine pal’s attention is an effective method to put distance prevent him from climbing on the furniture. If you notice your canine attempting to get on one of your fixtures, call their name and present them with fun activities they’ll have trouble resisting.
There are a couple of ways for you to redirect their interest. You can perhaps start by giving them treats, cuddle with them for affection, or take them out for a walk.
Establish rules
While distraction is generally effective, it may not always be practical to do this, especially if you are a working fur parent. That is why you need to train your pet on what is acceptable and what isn’t.
Teach them the “off” cue. This can be done by throwing off a treat on the ground, few feet away from the furniture.
Remember to say “off” and make a hand gesture as your pet moves off from the couch.
If your dog fancies the furniture as a resting place, lead them straight to their bed when you say the cue. Also, offer positive reinforcement whenever they sleep in their rightful place instead of the furniture.
Consistency is the key
The mentioned management methods above would be useless if you aren’t consistent in doing it. This also entails everyone in the household getting on board with what you are doing.
Your family members should agree to the “no dogs allowed” policy on the furniture. Otherwise, your pet may have a hard time understanding the rules.
Also, start them young. Keep them off the furniture while they are still a puppy. This will get hardwired into their system and help them understand that the furniture is off-limits.
Adult dogs may have a more challenging time unlearning the behavior. But with patience and consistency, they will learn once they got used to it.
Conclusion
As a pet owner, we understand that you want to give all that you can to your fur babies. But it may be different when it concerns your sofa or table.
Unless, of course, it is okay for you, then that’s one less problem. If you want to keep your beloved doggo off your furniture, you need to understand the behavior first.
Frequently, they are drawn to it because of its comfort. In that case, you may want to provide another comfortable spot that is acceptable for them to snuggle on to.
Other management methods include distraction and training. The former offers ease but may not always be practical to employ.
Training gives long-lasting results despite the effort it demands from both the trainer and the dog. Of course, if it becomes too much, you can also consult with a dog expert or veterinarian on this.