Off the Couch!!!!

[THE ROCK]

We are getting new living room furniture next week, Rock has gotten in the habit of sleeping on the sofa, any good ideas on how to break this?

[Judy Chrusch]

Sorry but this is the reason it should never start, The poor guy doesn't know he can't be on your new furniture, they don't know that nor do they care bc he was once allowed on, now you say he can't, it's much too confusing for them. Since he's already allowed on the furniture why not let him have his own chair :D. Sorry don't know how you're gonna break this habit otherthen constantly saying "OFF" and perhaps having a spray bottle handy but as I said he's not gonna have a clue why one day he can be on and now can't. You're giving mixed messages, sooorry!!

[RottQueen]

That's another reason why I prefer not to allow my pets on the couch. Because I would have to grit my teeth if/when new furniture was purchased and dog prints on the lovely couch.

They don't understand the fact that mom/dad just brought new furniture, now I'd better lay on the floor. :( :(

And the sprays don't work. Okay, maybe it'll work the first day and after that they're used to the smell.

You have your hands full and Rock will likely be confused of your NEW demand.

[Judy Chrusch]

Ellen, I have a spray bottle only filled with water and the mere sight of it will make Czar do anything I want:D. It's not often I need to use it but he repects it and that's all that matters. Maybe it won't work for you but you can try if nothing else works but like RottQueen said, you have your hands full . You also may want to try to put something on your new couch that would make alot of noise if he did get on it, something like metal trays, anything that if it fell would cause some noise. Hopefuly someone who has had a similar experience will be able to help. I'm not much help bc mine were NEVER alowed on from day one and now he doesn't even try. I hope you find something that works.

Judy

[rglogan]

We have a special mat on the sofa where the dogs can lay. We gave up on the battle for off the couch b/c they were always on it when we came home or when we got up in the morning. My boy is the longest dog you have ever seen, so much so that he hangs off his mat. I felt so bad for him since he did not fit on the biggest bed we could find that I just let him stay up on the sofa. The mat protects the couch and everyone is happy -- that is until I can't lay on the sofa anymore b/c my dogs have taken over!! :D

[laurlitt]

This will be a hard habit to break... But here is a suggestion of something I've 'heard' about.

You know the plastic mat that is used underneath rolling desk chairs (the mat you need when the room is carpeted and the wheels won't roll on carpet). This plastic material has plastic spikes on the under side that pokes into the carpet to keep it from moving. If you buy (at office supply store) a strip of that (about 5 feet long) and put it on your couch (upside down) the dog will not be able to jump on the couch while you are not there... I imagine this sensation is not comfortable on their feet or bodies...

Now I've only heard this being done... it's seems like a decent deterent method (but can't guarantee anything)...

[RottiMomCT]

Oh, I must stop laughing before I hurt myself! My in-laws recently went new sofa shopping...and had to make sure the fabric and construction could withstand the DOGS laying on it!! I SWEAR that is the truth! :D

I laughed my fanny off when I heard them say that! Needless to say they paid a hefty price for said 'dog safe' sofa and the dogs are having the times of their lives lounging onit all day & night, while they sit in the old chair and squeeze themselves in between the dogs to sit on the new sofa!

Too funny...

[THE ROCK]

Thanks for all the great advice, i do know i am wrong for ever letting him start! I especially like the plastic mat idea! Thanks to all.

[Judi W]

I suggest you start enforcing the "no dogs on the furniture" rule before you get the new stuff. Yes, dogs can learn new rules, they do it all the time. Provide a comfy doggy bed and keep showing the dog to that place and be consistant.

[pmgal]

I use the plastic mat with the spikey things for my cats. and I also have the mat with the low voltage shock in front of my TV so the cats won't claw the speaker front. I know you can also use the mats for the couch. It has different settings for cats and dogs. I'm sure it wouldn't take but one time to get them to understand the couch is off limits. I accidently stepped on it a few times and it gives quite a sensation. LOL but nothing that hurts so maybe it would be the thing to get if the dog is smart enough to pull the other mat with spikes off the couch. We all know how smart our Rotts are! :D

[waschull]

There are scat mats available for furniture, some use a shock corection, others sound a high pitched alarm. They are available through catalogues such as NE serum and Foster and Smiths. Although I allow my dogs on the furniture, I have used both to successfully retrain rescues (I try to break all rescues of that habit...)

Also, when it come to doggy durable furniture - I've had a few couches and I am delighted with my Norwalk leather sofa. Leather is the way to go and I think the Norwalk is more durable than the last 2 couches we've had.

stefanie

[pmgal]

thats the mat I'm talking about! The scat mat...it's in front of my TV. I used to allow the dogs on the furniture, but 5 dogs is way to many dogs and when it gets to the point that they are on the furniture and I have no where to sit then things have to change. LOL Actually they are allowed up front with me on occasion. It became way too much dog hair and they acted like my bed was theirs! :D but in the past 2 and half years they have adjusted very well to their part of the house. It's where the computer is and so we get to spend a lot of time together!
sandi

[Jamie & Odin]

I am ordering two scat mats! There is only one couch in the house Odin tries to lay on, I thought he understood no furniture, but apparently got away with laying on an unused couch enough times...and it's sooo comfy:D

I am also getting one for the hood of my car. The cats were bad enough, but I let Odin out the door and the phone rang. I answered it quickly, but when I turned around to go out the door, there was Odin, all 72 lbs. of him, standing on the hood of my car, licking the cat!

I think this is a way we can get what we want without being the "bad guy". They make their own decision, nothing to do with us, that the couch isn't so fun anymore!

[pmgal]

Now these mats are not cheap. But well worth the price. The one I have is with a power pack, but the new ones use batteries so they can go anywhere. And if i remember right I saw in one of the catalogs where after you train them to stay off the furniture you can buy a dummy mat and put in its place that way you can use the real one in another place. Would save you from buying more than one.

[THE ROCK]

Thanks again for all your advice, i ordered the scat mat, the best price i found are at futurepets.com.