Do you have dogs in the house? You probably know by now that they love to curl in your bed and lie down on your sofa while watching your favorite movie. You would notice them feeling comfortable jumping to the sofa to eat or sleep. There is nothing wrong with letting your pets use the furniture, but you must remember that their hair and odor remain on the furniture after using it. Your dog’s hair may not be healthy when inhaled, especially if you have kids at home. So, you must know how to keep dogs off furniture.
Tips on Keeping Dogs off the Furniture
Letting dogs know about off limits is not easy. In fact, it takes a lot of effort before they can understand the message.
Here are some of the best ways to keep dogs off furniture.
Be Consistent
Consistency is necessary for them to understand their limitations. If you teach the dog not to jump into the sofa, but allow them on some other days, it is not consistent. Consistency is implementing one rule until they get used to it. So, let everyone in the house know about the new dog rules. If you restrict him from climbing into the furniture, other people in the house should do the same. It would be easier to train him that way.
Teach Dogs the Rules
Learning how to keep dogs off furniture means you should make rules that should be consistently followed. Every time he gestures to jump into the couch, tell him not to proceed. And once he gets on to the furniture, ask him to get off. It is also a good idea to give them treats whenever they follow the instructions. When introducing a new set of rules, you must focus on the behavior you want. Use positive reinforcement. You must also remember that punishments do not teach them the right behavior but will only create fear. You must also bear in mind that training your dogs requires patient. So, don’t rush on getting the result.
Provides him a Place of his Own
Dogs always look for a comfortable place to lie down. And whatever is accessible to him, then that will be the place to rest. Giving him his own place can be a good way on how to keep dogs off furniture. When they get on the sofa, lure him with a treat and direct him to a nice comfortable bed. Do this every time he climbs to the sofa, then slowly remove the treat until he gets used to it. He will eventually realize that he can find comfort in his bed.
Management Technique
The problem with training them is they might sneak in when you are not home. And this can break the consistency. So, you must find a way on how to keep dogs off furniture when you are away. You can set up a fence that blocks them off the sofa. You can also keep them in another room until you get back. Think of ways that would make it impossible for dogs to get on the sofa. You may place huge boxes or baskets.
Understanding Dog Learning Process
You might be wondering why your dogs do not listen whenever you tell him something or want him to do certain things. This is because your dog does not understand what you are saying, especially if it is a new command.
Dogs learn through the direct consequences of their behavior. This means they will understand that they are doing the right thing if they get rewarded to it. If they get a reward like food or playtime, then they will do it more often. On the other hand, if the consequences are ignored, they will do it less often. You must remember, though, that dogs only acknowledge the present happenings. They cannot make connections between events. So, if you are training a dog, then the reward must be direct and immediate.
Conclusion
Deciding to keep your dog off the couch is something that you need to work on. It requires patience. It would also mean telling him the same thing over and over until they get used to it. You also have to remember that scaring dogs with a stick is not an effective technique. It will just stress him. Learning how to keep dogs off furniture means being strict to him while maintaining the good bond that you have. Find out more about furniture care.