In most families, dogs are companions as well as family members. Even when the dog is treated like a person and is well cared for, you may want to keep the dog off the couch.
It can be difficult to find the right dog training to keep him off the furniture, but it is possible. The main reason for wanting to keep dogs away from the couch is to avoid hair buildup. Other pet owners simply think that furniture is only for humans, and that is a correct statement K9 training Houston.
So we present here a series of practical tips so you can achieve that goal. There are many reasons why a person would want to keep their pet off the furniture but don’t know how. If you follow the following recommendations on how to train a dog correctly, you will achieve the goal.
Tips to keep your dog from getting on the couch
Try to understand why he likes the place so much
The first thing you should do is understand why your dog likes to get on the couch so much. Some people say that dogs want to sit on furniture because of a matter of authority. But the most common thing is that they copy this behavior from you, and most likely they have done it since they were puppies. However, most experts agree that dogs just want to be comfortable. Because of this, one of the first steps in getting a dog off the couch is to offer an attractive alternative, like a dog bed. Look for them preferably in pet stores specialized in dog training.
Cover the sofa to prevent damage while you apply dog training
In order to make the dog understand that he should not be on the sofa, the first step is to cover him. There may be tears, split seams and even stains on the fabric, so it will be good to use a large sheet or plastic over it. It is even possible to find products in pet stores to keep pets off the furniture. Once this is done, try to arrange a comfortable and warm space for him where he can be during his rest periods.
Make a special place for dogs
One of the best ways to get your dog off the couch is to encourage him to go somewhere much better. A “dog zone,” as they say in dog training , has his toys, his favorite blanket, and warm pillows. Adding some toys to the area will make it look even more attractive. Dogs often have a weakness for the sofa due to the softness of its cushions. So you should make sure that this space also has enough padded fabrics. In this way, little by little he will prefer his new dog area to our favorite sofa.
Teach him that he shouldn’t be on the couch
Of course, not only is it enough for him to have another place, now we must make him understand that it is wrong to get on the couch. To carry out this step of dog training , we must teach him commands and differentiate a scolding from a caress. The first thing is that every time you see him on the couch, say a short phrase followed by a gesture. Do this with a firm and authoritative voice, then take it down from the sofa ourselves and repeat the phrase again. With this we will ensure that the dog knows what he should not do and little by little he will leave that habit aside. Try to do this from when the dog is a puppy, since it is more difficult once they reach adulthood.
Reward him every time he does well
In cases where the goal is to get the dog to go to his space, it is good to reward him every time he does it well. How do you achieve this? Every time you get him off the couch, tell him where he should go. If he does it alone, offer him a cookie or give him his favorite toy. In the end, the dog may go to the furniture, but he already knows not to climb on it. In this way you can better preserve your sofa and the dog will be better on its cushions with toys and so on.
Although all of these behaviors are usually overlooked since they start from puppies, you must be strict. A long-term disciplined dog is an animal that will know how to behave in public, with people and with other dogs. He will not cause problems at the vet, he will be quite friendly with children and without a doubt, a faithful companion for life. Dog training is not an easy task but it should be one of your priorities with your pets. Be patient, take your time, treat him with affection and you will see how your dog will give you all his love and tenderness.