We needed a new couch in the family room. Mom took a long time to decide on a couch.
She could not decide on the style, size and especially the type of material.
She told the salesperson that she’s concern about her dog.
Who ME? Why?
Mom shared with the salesperson that her dog has a tendency to go on the couch when alone in the house. My mom is sooooo wrong. At a young age, she trained me not to go on the couch as my bed is specifically located right next on the couch. I’m very good (sometimes) on obliging the rules and what mom taught me.
The new couch finally arrived and its beautiful.
Mom selected a microfiber material with a chaise lounge (my favorite part).
Mom had to run an errand and I’m left alone …
There must be a reason why mom covered the couch.
I was in deep sleep and did not hear mom come in.
MOM: Aha! I knew your going to sleep on the couch.
I was a bit startled when mom saw me …
I am just testing the comfort factor of the couch.
It was covered anyway so no Golden Furs left on the couch.
How do you train your dog not to go on the couch.
Here’s how mom trained me (with our old couch) …
1) Place your dog’s bed next to the couch. Make sure its a comfy dog bed.
2) During the first few weeks, place piles of books/magazines and large pillows on the couch.
This will discourage your dog not to jump on the couch.
After a few weeks, you can replace it with regular pillows.
3) When you are sitting on the couch and your dog attempts to join you, say “no” and encourage him/her to go to his/her bed. Make sure to praise your dog.
Does it mean mom needs to re-train me?
Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR
We think you have your Mom trained purrfectly, Sugar. We should know. We’re cats! MOL! Happy Monday!
I’m glad I’m not your momma, Sugar. I would have a very hard time retraining you. I think I would be a horrible sucker for all your cuteness.
I actually like the boys on the sofa with me – especially when they lay on my feet, keeping them warm. Yup, the boys are 100% welcome on my sofa, which is a good thing, as I couldn’t imagine having to tell those adorable fuzzy faces no. 🙂
We trained HER…the couch is ours!
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & roxy
Oh, and testing for comfort is important.
Sugar, your mom obviously just doesn’t understand that new things in the house must always be tested! Woofs from Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie who only use their “dog couch.”
when norbert was young he destroyed 3 couches!!! our current couch is a Bobs cheapo recliner and it has held up well, color is important we got a greyish brown. you look very comfy
urban hounds
Uh oh Sugar – looks like you’ve got to start retraining for sure. Maybe Mom will cut you some slack since you have been so good for so many years!
Sugar your Mom has posted that she considers you a “senior” dog. I think seniors should get some extra privileges. If she tries to retrain you just continue to look sweet and wait until she leaves the house again!
You look too beautiful on the couch, Sugar. I think you Mom should cut you some slack as you are a senior and all.
Daisy
We had to train Katy to jump up on the couch. For the first few months it terrified her. Our couches are all covered in fleece and we like having the dogs up with us. However, we will always buy cloth covered couches. I’ve watched the damage that can be done to leather and fake leather at my parent’s house when dogs and couches mix.
while i was reading this delightful post, the big question is my mind, is WHY would anyone train their dog to stay off the couch? the only thing in our house that dogs are NOT allowed on is the BED. MY Bed… i slept with a 70 pound dog for 16 years and that is WHY dogs are not allowed on beds… but the sofa is whomever gets their favorite spot first and that includes us people. after years of covering the sofa like yours is, we got leather and that has worked fantastic… 8 years now and three dogs later, and it is as good as new except where the people sit is losing its memory foam softness….
Sugar is soooo beautiful! We got leather couches a few years ago, thinking they’d hold up well. My dogs never go onto the couches, but there have been mysterious little tears in the leather over the last few months. I think they cheat, and have a nice snooze on the couches when we are not at home!
Our couches are covered with blankets too, mom said I could scatch it… but guess who made the first big&fat scatch on the couch? Mom! – Ha! with a zipper on the backside of her pants :o) You look perfect on your couch – have a fabulous couch-monday :o)
I think it is good you tested the couch for your peeps comfort, that’s important. For me, well I am allowed on the couch, thank goodness. But I am not allowed on my gal pals, Belle’s, couch. And funny thing is I know this and don;t even try.
Blessings,
Goose
I hope the new couch passed your comfort test Sugar. Happy MM!
Sugar, it’s a good thing you tested it for your humans! You’re so thoughtful to do that! Ma says I can do whatever I want at home but have to get permission at other humans houses…family houses don’t count cuz they know they REALLY bought their couches for ME! 😉
Mom got all her new furniture before me, not a good idea, so she just keeps blankies on it so we can cuddle. Love Dolly
Our cats are determined to weigh down the back cushions on our sofa. After they leave it is like there was a bowling ball back there. A big v. If only they could enjoy the seat. Cats.
We just have throws on the couch and chairs and we go where we like. Peeps was too lazy to train us not to and likewise she knew we’d be on them as soon her back was turned. Have a marvelous Monday Sugar and enjoy the new couch.
best wishes Molly.
Monty is awfully fond of the one ottoman, and of course, we have the dog chair in the pool room. Sam only goes on the couch when he is not feeling well and wants comfort or, when it is bath time. Oddly enough, our couch is the same color as the boys.
Sam
Hi Sugar, Great training method! Over the years, all our dogs were shedders, so I finally decided leather was our best best. Our first leather couch was very cheap in case our dogs nails scratched it. We still have it and desperately need a new one. The couch in the living room is leather too. I think we will always buy leather as we are extremely hard on furniture and it seems to hold up for us. Sorry you got caught in the act, but I know your mom wasn’t surprised.
Wags to you today.
Noreen & Hunter
Wait a second… you mean some people think dogs SHOULDN’T go on the couch? But… we’re family members too! Why shouldn’t we get to use the couch like everyone else?!?!
We can’t believe the tattle tail told that stranger you have a tendency to go on the sofa! We consider it a big bed too
Benny & Lily
Bawahhaawaaah we won’t say a word Sugar..Woof Woof 🙂 xx00xx
Mollie and Alfie
Bummer you got busted! Mom’s first dog was on the furniture but all that fur was too much so she was eventually no longer allowed on furniture and actually stuck to the rules even when home alone. Since Trine was not on the furniture, Katie never thought about going on the furniture. Mom always sits on the floor with us to snuggle even as puppies. Then I came along and it was the same thing, never saw a dog on furniture so I never thought of it. We have several beds in nice spots around the house where we can lay down when we want and it works great. I think once a dog learns to go on the furniture it is much harder to retrain not to.
There are some things that come with age – bring able to sleep where ever you want is one of them – that is what I tell Mom anyway – but then again – I only like sleeping on the floor – usually where ever Mom’s feet are – annoys her when she is cooking 🙂 🙂 Enjoy your new couch Sugar.
Aw! I think you were just making sure the couch was comfy enough for you Mom to sit on!
Train the dog to not use the couch??? We beg her to join us. We just put a blankie down, and hide it and do a lot of vacuuming when company comes!
Sugar, you would give our dogs a run for their money. Mine are trained not to get on the couch, but there’s always a warm spot on my end when I get home from someplace. I’ve gotta tell ya, though, with the multiple couches we’ve owned, the leather couch wins, hands down. Nothing for hair to stick to, wipes clean and easy, no allergens, not too pricey, it only looks better with age and wear.
Our mom gave up long ago, and you know what? We are pretty sure it’s because she secretly needs collie snuggles! BOL
Well that blanket looked like an invitation to me. You look good up there, Sugar!
Wyatt
Uh-oh! I think you need to put a bell on the door Sugar!
Our Little Bit sleep where she wants. He’s been on the couches, beds and her beds. She has four beds. One downstairs, one upstairs, one in the truck and one on the boat. She uses them all as well as the couches and the beds. Bless her heart.
Have a woof woof day Sugar. My best to your mom. 🙂
Phantom used to love to sleep on the sofa here but as he has aged, he doesn’t get up there very often. We think it is the getting down that bothers him. Lightning never gets on the sofa – not sure why, but Mom says it is a good thing. Thunder and Ciara are couch potatoes but never when a human is on there too. They like the whole thing all alone:) And yes, ours are covered with sheets:(
Woos – Phantom, Thunder, Ciara, and Lightning
Normally, the girls are allowed on the couch; but until the surgeon says Callie can start jumping up and down off the furniture again, Shadow and Ducky aren’t allowed on the couch either. It just wouldn’t be fair. So, until that time comes, two of the snack trays are on the couch to keep all three dogs off of it. The recliners also rock, which makes both Callie and Shadow nervous, so they won’t get up on them even when we’re not home. Ducky stays in her crate when we’re not home to supervise her.
Sugar – you sure do look so sweet and innocent when sleeping and lounging on that couch 🙂
Our kitties love to sleep on the couch and we love to snuggle with them on the couch too! Although, if our kitties were as big as you I don’t know if we’d let them do that anymore.
Happy MM!
I’m allowed on the sofa, but I only like sitting in daddy’s place BOL
Well……since I am little and don’t shed………I am allowed on all the furniture! My Mom says microfiber is the easiest to clean though!
Lovies, Miss Mindy
I love that microfiber fabric. It cleans so easily. My guys are allowed on the family room sofa, but not the white living room sofa. They are pretty good about it. It’s only when Jimmy gets a wild hair and is running around the house that he might bank off the white sofa 🙂
Sometimes you just have to break the rules for a little comfort!
I told my husband that we would train our next dog to not get on the couch… we messed up with Luna from the beginning and allowed her up from puppy hood. I couldn’t help it though, and still love it when she cuddles with me. Anyways, we need a new couch too… Glad you found one that you like!
Wha? No couch time for Sugar? Oh my! Sugar you need to come stay with Aunt Bren and Titan. You can lay on any couch, chair, and the bed. 🙂 hehe
We aren’t allowed on the couch but we do get to sleep in the big bed with mom and dad.
Did the training work the first time? Our humans use the excuse for our bad behavior that we do the naughty things when they’re not at home so how are we expected to be good when they’re home. Plus we outnumber them. Enjoy some good snoozies on the new couch. Like you said, it has a cover on it. Purrs and hugs from the kitties at The Cat on My Head, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Josette
Oh well, this is obviously not the post for me, Sugar. I am allowed on the couch and I park myself high up on the back of the couch, so I can survey my realm.
*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
Your new couch looks great, Sugar! I hope your mom has to run lots of errands so you can enjoy it more 😉
Awwwwww Sugar… that was so SWEET and Considerate of you to CHECK the Couch fur Defects in Comfort.
Neither Jack or Maggie get on the furniture. I’d probably let them (don’t tell them that) but neither have ever made a serious attempt at it, so I haven’t invited them. Neither are snugglers and Jack is just to darn big. And they have pretty comfy beds right next to the couch. But previously, Sally had her particular ‘spot’ on the sofa right between me and dad. Tino had his own chair he sat on. I tried for awhile to put down sheets or something to cover them – especially when they were new, but then I just gave up and let it go. Much easier!
Hmmmmm, guess my Mom didn’t get the training memo..BOL!!!!!! Actually, I sit on the couch for a few minutes, just to let everyone know whose boss, then I jump down and sleep on my bed!! Silly humanz..my bed is much softer than the couch!!!
LOL! Very sneaky, Sugar. I trained Maya & Pierson not to get on the couch. For whatever reason, they never sneak up on there. (I would know if they did because both Maya & Pierson are notorious shedders.) I don’t know what I did differently.
You’re not hurtin’ nothing Sugar! Our sisfur Sadie had her own chair so she never got on the couch. Plus, we have the couch covered anyway! 🙂
We aren’t allowed on the couch so we have no idea what we’re missing. Our mom is evil!
Love ya lots,
Mitch and Molly
Sugar…you Mom should be happy she has you to test for comfort….before she has guest sit on it.
You look very lovely with the blue blanket
Hugs madi your BFFF
You look cozy! I’m allowed on the couches, chairs, beds, ect.
Nola
We are all LOLing about the training tips, as everyone knows it’s the DOG’S house and their couch! 😉
I trained my mom to not try and keep me off of the couch. She covers it during muddy and wet weather so I don’t get paw prints all over it. I don’t know why she does that though because I think my paw prints are very cute and would only make the couch look better.
The sofa has matching towels covering the seat and back’. I purchased extra fabric when I bought the chairs and it covers the seats. Both can be washed or cleaned. Both can be whipped off quickly when guests come. It’s my fault because I like having him sit on my lap or cuddle next to me. He’s a member of the family; therefore, can sit where a family member would sit.
BJ has mega sleeping spots. He has the sofa, the two chairs, his two beds, and mine.
we allow Cody and Dakota on the couch, doesn’t bother me one bit! We have a sort of microfiber material as well and i love it! I have a pet cover from Sure Fit on the large couch and Cody and Dakota primarily stay on that
Great keeping off the couch! We are allowed on ours, Lady can’t fight with us over this. Lee and Phod
I know you just wanted to make sure they chose the right one!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza
We “train” all our dogs not to go on the couch. They even sneak off of it before we see them after we’ve been out. But, the warm spot that they leave behind tells the story!
The photos of you are so very cute, Sugar!
Sadly, I lost the sofa battle 🙁
The Princess was too determined for me!
But Sugar, you need to do something so you can hear Mom come in! Like, maybe drop some kibble near the door and when Mom comes in you’ll hear the crunch crunch crunch of her steps.
Rooo Sugar I think your mum probably agrees that the sofa is even better with you in it! *Waggy tail*
We actually invite Chester and Gretel onto the couch to snuggle with us. They are small though. It also doubles as a dog bed when we are away. ha, ha. Interesting you wrote about this because we just ordered a new couch. I actually asked the sales clerk if the dogs could come in and try it out first 🙂 The shopping village is mostly dog-friendly and she said yes but suggested I bring a blanket for them to lay on. We didn’t bring them to ‘approve” the couch but did go with a different type of material than we wanted. The one I wanted was a dark cotton denim which would be MUCH harder to maintain with dogs. Have to make compromises *sigh* Ha, ha.
LOL Sugar, we taught Sampson by using ‘off’. Then we would guide him to his bed. Then we got a sofa just for the dogs and invited them up. They caught the idea pretty quickly although I do have one that likes to test limits. 🙂