Behavioral Effects of Dogs on Furniture
Despite what some people believe, allowing your dog on the furniture will not make him think he is in charge. It will not suddenly cause aggression or dominance. However, be careful not to inadvertently reinforce certain behaviors or you will be sending the wrong message. For example, any dog that growls or snaps at you when you try to sit down should be removed from the furniture. If your dog refuses to move when you approach, he should be removed. Also, if your dog “hogs” the bed or sofa, as many dogs seem to do, he should be taught to move over and make room for you.
Making furniture off-limits can be a temporary or permanent arrangement, depending on your personal preference. You may have trouble sleeping with a dog in the bed, but you still want to let your dog on the couch for cuddles. You can choose when and where your dog will be allowed, but training is an important part of this process. Many owners choose to allow their dogs on furniture only when they are invited up. This can work when you are at home, but its a different story when you are out. Know that your dog will most likely help himself when he is home alone if he has the run of the house!
The Great Debate: Should I Let My Dog on the Couch?
There are many reasons why you may or may not allow your dog on your couch. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this debate. There really isn’t one way that is better than another. You have to decide what works best for you in your home.
Letting your dog on your couch is a matter of preference too. Some people don’t mind the dog laying with them, while others can’t stand it. If you’re on the fence about letting your dog on the couch, below we’ll go through why you might consider letting your dog on the couch.
The group that I say across the board should not be on your couch or bed are dogs who have demonstrated possessiveness of your stuff. As a dog trainer, I get calls from people where the dog isn’t allowing a spouse into bed, and is keeping guests from getting onto the couch. This type of behavior is a sign of deep relationship problems with the dog that extends way beyond just furniture. It needs to be addressed with a trainer, but in the mean time, the dog needs all furniture privileges to be revoked. This behavior is inappropriate and dangerous.
When people bring home a new dog or puppy, sooner or later they will see that dog clambering onto the sofa. Some people are delighted, and are happy to cuddle up with Fluffy for TV time. Others are horrified and do not want to risk the dog damaging their living room furniture. Some people may even be worried that their dog getting on the couch is a sign of dominance, or the dog trying to be the “alpha”. The real answer is that there is no one rule that suits all dogs when it comes to this area. Different situations require different rules and boundaries for sharing your furniture with a dog.
We also see another type of behavior issue surrounding furniture. This one can actually be amusing to those on the outside looking in, but isn’t nearly as funny to those who are living with it. Commonly seen with young, high energy dogs, “living room parkour” is my affectionate term for the behavior of sprinting around the room, leaping onto and over furniture, and basically turning your house into an obstacle course.
The cause of this type of behavior is often too much freedom in the dog’s life. Dogs thrive when given structure, and some dogs need more than others. Many people want to let their dog have free reign of the house, and this can lead to the dog developing the wrong idea about who is in control of the couch. This is an especially big issue when the dog is new to the household, and is establishing what your household is all about. Dogs are opportunists, and a new dog with a pushier temperament may try to stake claim to the most comfortable spot in the house.
If you do fall into this category, there are a few boundaries that I would still recommend you put into place. You should always be able to ask your dog to leave a piece of furniture, which we teach as the “off” command in our programs. Sometimes you should have your dog sleep somewhere else, whether that be a different room, a crate, or an x-pen. This helps the dog keep a healthy frame of mind when separated from you, and helps prevent co-dependency issues.
Should Dogs Be Allowed On The Couch?
Should I let my dog on the couch? This is a question that many people ask themselves, and it can be difficult to come up with an answer. Today we will take a look at both sides of this debate and hopefully help you decide what is best for you and your pup.