Positive Dog Training Blog

You walk in the door, and there your sweet dog is, cuddled up on the couch enjoying their new soft spot. So the question is, how do you keep your dog off the couch? It isn’t hard to break the habit but requires consistency.

Usually a dog will try to get on the couch when they are tired and ready to go to sleep. Watch for those times they are starting to look for a good spot because that is going to be your best bet and stopping this behavior. If they go to jump up, just say off and take them by the collar and lead them off the couch. Most dogs will eventually give up and stop trying. If you have a more persistent dog maybe put them in their crate so they can settle down and go to sleep. If you have to leave your dog unsupervised either put them somewhere away from the couch or use their crate.

If your dog growls when you try to move them, you will want to teach off without pulling your dog. Take a treat and lure them off the couch and say “off” then reward them with the treat. Over time you can just say off and then reward for getting off the couch. You can even guide your dog with the collar and feed them at the same time so they get used to you using their collar. If you sense your dog is becoming more aggressive we highly recommend you find a dog trainer to help you with the problem.

Another option is to have your dog wear a 6 foot leash around the house connected to a buckle or flat collar. When your dog jumps up just use the leash to get them back down, always reward them and praise them for getting off the couch.

The next two things you want to teach are leave it and a place command. Leave it will teach the dog to not get on the couch in the first place and place will be an alternative location you can have your dog go to settle down.

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