Keeping Your Dog Off Your Furniture

Photo of Dude by Rebecca Winters Keegan - Dude began life by having to stay off the bed.

If you're thinking about getting a family dog and wonder if there are products to keep him off your furniture ... yes, they exist. But. My advice is to forget about it! Your dog likes resting on your couch and sleeping in your bed as much as you do. Perhaps, more! If you can't share, forget about having a family pet. 

Save yourself and your animal the stress, the grief and ultimately, the futility of training him to stay off the couch, or sleeping on top of an unoccupied bed. He's too smart for that! He'll just wait until you leave home and jump up on them anyway.

Telling him to stay off the bed is an utter waste of your and your pet's time. Years ago our family dog was not allowed on a brand new couch, but at 7 am, when the alarm clock rang, the next sounds we heard were his feet hitting the living room floor ... that is unless he was sleeping at the foot of our bed. I mean, what are you going to do, lie awake all night? Trust me: After potty training, better to accept the arrangement. Your butt is tired. His butt is tired. At the end of the day, your dog will win this one!

Teach him manners. Give him chew toys and enough exercise, so he isn't bored and naughty in the house. Bath him once a week to get rid of those doggy smells. Brush him if he sheds. Vacuuming helps. Buying the right color and type of furniture helps too. Your big furball is worth it!

Think of it this way, dogs and cats are like family. Treat them as such. They are meant to be indoors and treated like members of the household.

Good training with flexibility, including sharing a couch, is a win-win. Your dog is happy, and you get snuggles, cuddles and love!


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