How to Keep Your Dog off the Furniture

This is a problem that is usually started by the owner, who thinks it is so cute to teach the cute little puppy how to jump on the couch, not even thinking of the day when that cute little puppy becomes a 70 pound dog. At that point, since he has been taught that it is alright to jump up, it is really difficult to teach him not to.

I can't tell you how many times I have been dressed up to go somewhere and stopped at a friends house only to sit in a chair covered with dog hair, at least it was covered with dog hair when I got there. There is also the situation of company coming over and the dog wont get off the couch so they can sit down without a battle. Even small dogs can be a problem when they claim a particular piece of furniture as their own, ever try to remove a Chihuahua from a chair that he thinks is his? It can be a very frightening experience.

My Labrador retriever knew she wasnt supposed to be on the couch, and would wait until I was away from home or in bed at night, talk about sneaky. I prefer to use what I call the rattle to train dogs to stay off the furniture, a rattle is simply a can with 15 or 20 pennies in it, tape the top and it is a great noise maker.

I dont remember where I learned this, but it works great. Dogs dont like to be startled, and the rattle works perfectly. If you are fortunate enough to have a dog that jumps up on the furniture in front of you, use the rattle and a firm no, use the no sometimes with the rattle and sometimes without it.

When they learn the no command, the problem of getting on the furniture will end. If your dog waits until you arent around, just put a couple of them along the edge of the furniture, when they jump up they knock off the rattle and it startles them. As with any training for your dog, patience is one of the keys, it takes time, but is well worth the effort.

Obinna Heche: Is an acknowledged expert in his field and resides in California USA. For more details visit his site at http://justforyourdogs.com