As I’m writing this post, I know for a fact that my gracious German Shepherd is sleeping on our couch. Why? I have scratch-resistant leather couches, and she’s allowed on them whenever she wants. If you’re one of those people who adopted your adorable pooch after you invested in your couch, you may not have thought twice about this future reality.
Whether you have a puppy or an older dog, deciding on ground rules for couch time is a huge part of training your dog. Luckily, this is a reasonably easy training process that can take about 2 to 4 days, depending on how serious you are.
Below, we’ll walk you through the most common ways to train your dog to stay off the couch – for good this time.
Keep ‘Em Out/In Decorative Divider from CB2.
1. The Block Method
This is one of the easiest methods because it prohibits your dog from even coming close to the couch. When you’re home, this method literally asks for taking up space on the sofa. If there’s no space for your pup to jump to, they won’t feel the need to get on the couch.
Using baby gates, large objects, or anything else you can think of for blocking the couch space can also help. Some décor options won’t disrupt your home’s style. For example, consider getting a stylish baby gate or using a pile of pillows that you can stack. Another great option is to move some ottomans to the hallway you’re trying to block.
2. Try the Off Method
While the block method is practical and particularly helpful with older dogs that already have bad habits, it’s not a full training method. Instead, focus on teaching your dog the right commands. Different commands to keep your dog off the couch include the “off” and “up” commands.
Sit around your living room and watch your dog. The moment they hop on the furniture, go over there with a treat or their favorite toy in hand. Use the word “off” to indicate that you want them to get off the couch. Use the treat to lure them down to the floor and off the furniture. Keep repeating this reward until your dog responds to the off command.
