How to Keep Dogs off Furniture

There are a number of reasons to keep dogs off furniture.

If your dog jumps up onto a piece of furniture repeatedly, he may damage it by scratching it with his claws. He could also get it dirty and leave his hair all over it. You paid good money for your furniture and you want it to last, and unfortunately, your pooch could shorten its lifespan. Additionally, your dog may have behavioral issues, and keeping him off the furniture could help when it comes to teaching him obedience and respect.

However, you just aren’t sure how to keep dogs off furniture. You’re not alone; a lot of dog owners struggle with this.

To get you started, here are some useful tips for keeping your pooch off your couch or another piece of furniture.

Get a Baby Gate

With a baby gate or dog gate, pet parents can block access to the living room or other room so that the dog can’t jump on the furniture. Also, you can stack one or two baby gates flat on top of the furniture to discourage your pup from going on it.

Use Laundry Baskets

Another DIY trick is to take empty laundry baskets and put them on the cushions of the couch or a chair. This will also block access to the couch. You could stack books close to the edge of the couch or put an upside-down car mat on top of the cushions as well. The gripping teeth on the bottom of the car mat are going to make your couch go from feeling comfortable to uncomfortable, and your dog will (hopefully) stop jumping up on it.

Try a Couch Defender or ScatMat

A Couch Defender is a humane solution that won’t make your dog feel uncomfortable if he jumps onto it. The Couch Defender is made of covered mesh and wire, and you can purchase it on Amazon. It comes in different colors like brown and beige, and you can use it on regular-sized sofas, loveseats, or chairs. Also, it collapses, so you can easily store it under your couch or in a nearby closet when you’re not utilizing it.

Another product is the PetSafe ScatMat, which is an indoor pet training mat. When your dog jumps on it, he’ll receive a safe but startling static correction. It’s like the kind of shock you get if you have a blanket that’s full of static electricity. 

Get a Quality Dog Bed

Getting your dog his own bed is a good solution to keep him from jumping up on the furniture. Whether you have a new dog or puppy, or you’re trying to train your dog you’ve had for a while, a dog bed where he can snuggle up and get cozy will help.

You should invest in a high-quality dog bed that’ll last, like The Original Calming Donut Dog Bed in Shag Fur from Best Friends by Sheri. It comes in a variety of sizes for dogs of all kinds and has a raised rim to promote security and provide head and neck support. The soft filling offers muscle and joint pain relief, making it ideal not just for younger dogs, but for senior dogs that may be experiencing a variety of health conditions.

Another dog bed option from BFBS is the Calming Donut Dog Bed in Lux Fur + Soft Throw Blanket Bundle, which is ideal if your dog loves a blanket to snuggle. The vegan shag fur will remind your pooch of his mother’s fur coat, and the deep crevices will allow your dog to burrow.

Train Your Dog Right Away

It’s going to be much simpler for pet owners to keep pets off the couchif you train your dog when he’s still a puppy, or when you first bring him home from the shelter if you’re adopting an older pooch. You and all your family members should use positive reinforcement dog training to keep your pup from jumping up.

This means that your training methods should include not cuddling your dog on the couch or another piece of furniture, and instead going to cuddle him when he’s in his bed or on the floor. 

If he does try jumping up on the furniture, then tell him “Off!” If he goes to his own space, then give him a reward. One thing that could make this easier is putting a leash on him and then gently leading your dog off the couch with the leash when he jumps on it. 

Also, if your pup tries to jump up, block access, tell him “out” and walk him away from the area where the piece of furniture is located. 

You’ll need to keep in mind that pet training takes a lot of patience, and some dogs learn slower than others. It could take weeks or months until your dog finally understands that he can’t go on the furniture. If you’re having trouble with training, you could always hire a professional dog trainer to assist you.

Emphasize Crate Training

Along with training your dog not to go on furniture, you can also crate train him. Again, always use positive reinforcement, as negative reinforcement is not effective and can actually harm your training efforts – as well as your relationship with your pup. He could become fearful of you, which is the last thing you want from your best friend. 

Never use the crate as a punishment. Instead, show your dog that it’s a cozy place where he can feel comfortable and at home. Put his dog bed in the crate as well as a blanket he can cuddle. You can put small treats near and inside the crate until your dog calmly walks in there on his own. Then, you can feed your dog his meals inside the crate to create that positive association with it. Gradually increase the amount of time your dog spends in the crate then put him in it overnight.

Remember that the crate should be large enough so that your dog can stand up and turn around. It’s a good idea to get a crate with a separator when your dog is a puppy, and then take the separator out as he grows. 

Keeping Your Furniture Clean and Your Dog Happy

By training your dog to stay off the furniture and using the right products, you can keep your pup happy and ensure your furniture lasts. Be consistent with your training and eventually, your dog should catch on and learn to stay on the floor or in his own comfy dog bed.