The Ultimate Pet Parents Guide: How to Keep Your Dog Off the Couch

Your Couch, Your Rules

Are you tired of fighting your furry friend for couch space? While sharing the couch with your pet may seem sweet at first, it’s totally okay to want pet-free spaces in your home. If you're tired of your pet taking over the furniture, don't worry, we’ve got you covered with some easy tips and tricks to keep your pet off the couch.

Teach boundaries with training

Training dogs to stay off the couch can be a difficult training experience for pet parents. Not because the training is difficult for the dog to understand, but often members of the family can’t agree on the rules.

“Inconsistency is the challenge of training any behavior.” Georgia Welch, National Pet Training Manager said. “Choose one word and enforce it, like ‘off’ or any word that means all four feet on the ground.” 

(Keep in mind that "Down" usually means to lay down. Dogs can learn many words, but have difficulty with multiple meetings of the same word.)

Consistency is key

Whether it’s through our Manners obedience pet training or using deterrents, consistency is the most important part of the process. 

“Let’s be honest. You often have to contend with someone in the family who wants the dog on the couch, making consistent training difficult.” Georgia said. “You have to get the whole family to agree on the rules and stick to them.”

Make sure that every time your pet hops up, you’re there to guide them down and reinforce the “off” command. Over time, they’ll understand the boundaries.

“From there, it’s pretty straight forward. While the family is home, gently guide the dog off the couch and provide the dog with a comfortable alternative close to the family, like a pet bed.” 

Create an inviting pet space

Instead of constantly shooing your pet off the couch, create a space they love. A comfy pet bed, soft blanket, and their favorite toys will make their designated spot just as enjoyable. 

You might need additional dog training or tools to help them learn their boundaries. Consider a ScatMat®️ pet training mat or other Invisible Fence® Brand Shield® avoidance solutions to keep your dog off the couch when you can’t be there to watch. 

Invisible Fence®️ Shields®️ solutions are a great training tool to help keep the dogs off the couch or any other areas of concern plus the Invisible Fence® Brand team will help train the dog as well to respect the desired boundaries. To learn more, schedule a free consultation today.

Changing habits vs preventing them

Many families encourage puppies to be on the couch with the family, then change the rules after the pup becomes a full size adult dog. It takes longer to change a habit than to stop one from developing. 

It might take a little time, but with patience and consistency, you’ll have your couch back! And remember, it’s all about setting clear boundaries while still making sure your pet feels loved and comfortable in their own space.

Need help with training? Give us a call to schedule your first Manners Obedience training session.