Dog On The Couch?
Welcome back to Trainer Testimonies! Today, we're diving into a common topic that's on every dog owner's mind: should your furry friend be allowed on the couch or bed?
The Upsides of Sharing Furniture:
Firstly, enjoying quality time with your dog will always be a good thing, and for many of us, that includes the couch/bed. As a general rule, a well adjusted, adult dog, with whom you have no issues enforcing your rules, can absolutely be let on the couch/bed and you are likely to never have a problem. There are certainly no inherent dominance issues or “claiming territory” going on in the case of the 8 year old family Lab that sleeps at the foot of the bed. Cuddle away!
Facing the Downside:
Now, a few situations where problems could arise.
Puppies! I find creating spaces that your puppy isn’t allowed to go can be extremely useful. It starts to teach them context. Allowing your puppy to treat the bed/couch the same as everywhere else usually results in their family getting annoyed because the puppy doesn’t understand that typically these spaces are for relaxing, not playing. This often causes a dreaded Grey Zone in which the puppy gets kicked off the couch when they get too annoying, but are allowed up when they aren’t. That is tricky for them to figure out. I recommend firm rules, from which you get to choose. Some rules I like to recommend:
No couch or bed.
They are only allowed up when invited.
They are allowed up as long as they are calm.
They are always allowed up.
See how all these rules are cut and dry? No exceptions, the rules don’t change based on their human’s emotions, it is extremely predictable. It will still take time for your puppy to learn the rules, but when they do there is no confusion. An exercise I will put clients through is for them to tell me what their rule around the couch is. If they have trouble explaining it to me the puppy will definitely have a hard time learning.
And now for dogs with behavioural problems. Dogs who are dealing with aggression, extreme anxiety, and especially resource guarding should not be allowed on these special places. These dogs need structure, rigid structure, structure so clear that there could not possibly be any confusion. This decreases anxiety, avoids unforeseen conflict, and prevents the possibility of resource guarding. You don’t need to “battle” your dog to get them off the couch if they aren’t allowed on it in the first place.
Thinking It Through:
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to dogs and that doesn’t change here. Figuring out what you, your family, and your dog needs will be key. Ideally, decide what the rule is before you get your dog, but if the ship has sailed on that, choose your rule, stick to it, and let your dog learn.
Earning Their Special Spot:
Just like how we earn rewards for good behavior, dogs can too. If your dog knows commands, respects boundaries, and behaves well, they might deserve this special spot on the furniture.
Action Steps:
Typically my first goal is to teach the dog to go on and off the furniture with commands. I will use a leash and tell them “up” or “couch” or whatever command you decide, then tell them “off”, enforce this with your leash, and reward them for it. Teaching them to get off the furniture when told, and making it a positive experience will avoid most of the issues you could potentially face. As always, if you are experiencing extreme behavioural issues or there is any aggression or guarding behaviours, consult an in-person trainer, not just internet advice.
Deciding whether your dog should join you on the couch or bed is a big decision. There are good things, but also some things to watch out for. It's all about finding the balance that works for you and your furry friend. Just remember, their comfort and your harmony are what matter most.
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