"How to" Stop your Dog from Jumping on the COUCH without Punishment

http://www.pamsdogacademy.com

Positive Interrupter video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRg3FgmpjnE

My little Twix turned 1 year old on May 19th. This video was shot when he was 6 months old. I personally do not mind if he jumps on the couch. He only does it when he is super excited and he never does any damage.

However, if you do not want your dog to jump on the couch, my best advice would be to teach him how to settle next to you on the floor when you are sitting on the couch.

To learn more about the settle, I would suggest that you watch kikopup for a great video on training a settle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2oeOUZ8kls

I would also suggest to capture any sort of calmness that your dog does have when in the house. Even if the reason your dog may be calm is because you just went for a long walk. The more you reinforce the behaviors that you like the more your dog will do those behaviors. Before you know it your dog will be molded into the amazing dog that you knew he could be.

A lot of training is also PREVENTION and MANAGEMENT. It is important to prevent your dog from being able to jump on the couch when you are not home. You do not want him to be able to reinforce himself at any time. Also, you could manage the behavior or prevent the behavior of jumping on the couch by having your puppy on leash when in the house, in a crate, or just in another room. However, I always want my dogs with me and that means that I need to train my dog to do the proper behavior if that is what I wish. I let Twix lay down on the couch next to me and it is not a problem, nor is it a problem that he plays and jumps on the couch. However, if it is a problem and if it bothers you that your dog does it, then reinforce your dog on the ground! Train him to go to a mat, lay on a mat at your feet, go to a dog bed or simply settle on the ground next to your feet.

If you do not train your dog to do what you like, you can't blame him or get mad at him for doing what you do not like. After all he is not a mind reader. Your dog will do what is reinforcing. Being on the couch is also comfortable.

I also DO NOT BELIEVE that if you let your dog lay down on the couch that he is trying to dominate you. That is such a myth. It is simply not true. My dogs want to be on the couch to be close to me. The couch is comfortable. If you had a choice of sitting on your couch or sitting on the HARD floor, what would you choose? Maybe you would say the floor but eventually it would get hard and be uncomfortable and you would move to the couch. So, why wouldn't our dogs want to be on the couch too. To me it is ridiculous that anyone would think that a dog is "being dominant" if he wants to be on a comfortable couch or on your bed.

Well, good luck! If you have any questions please feel free to send me a message!

Have a wonderful day!

Pam, Isabelle, Bandit & Twix

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[DensterNY]

Pam, I have a similar scenario that I hope you can help me. My 90 lbs GSD likes to jump on and hang on the bed to greet me in the morning when I'm first stirring but unfortunately she stomps on my wife in the process.

My dog understands the off command but I know even getting up giving her the command or redirecting her off the bed is rewarding to her since she gets my attention. I tried rolling onto my side and ignoring her but she just tries harder for my attention. Any suggestions?

[pamelamarxsen]

@DensterNY What if you put a mat on the floor next to you and taught her to settle on it or nuzzle your arm instead? :) I will think about it some more and see if I can figure out some more ideas. :)

[pamelamarxsen]

@DensterNY I am happy you found a solution! I love that you are setting your dog up to succeed! :) Have a great day!

[kikopup]

:) I love this video because it really shows how MUCH Twix liked to jump on the couch! haha. awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

[pamelamarxsen]

@kikopup I know, he did really love to jump on the couch. Now he jumps up there to snuggle with me as we watch TV. HEHE! :)

[newbear95]

I love to share my bed and couch with Xiao xiao. It increases the bond between us. However, it takes her a huge effort to jump onto the bed or couch every time, hence she rather sleep on her own bed most of the time. Dogs wanted to get on the crouch mostly because it is really comfortable. By putting its bed which is as comfortable as the crouch, next to the crouch, it will help in discouraging the dog to go up on the couch.

[pamelamarxsen]

@newbear95 I AGREE! Great point! I also have my dogs comfy crates with their memory foam dog beds, next to my bed. They love their crates and would rather sleep in the crate. However, they have a choice and I am 100% ok with their decision.  :)

[requestanymovie]

Please add me as a friend so that I can send you the message. I wrote a long message to you but not able to send it because you have contact lock enabled. :)

[DensterNY]

@pamelamarxsen Thanks Pam. I think the problem is that I sleep on the far side of the bed where she can't reach me and she wants to say Hi when she senses I'm stirring. I can't really switch sides of the bed because my cat sleeps at my side and she's not too fond of my shepherd. I have a solution now though its not a dog training one and that's simply getting up as soon as I'm waking rather than taking my time. My GSD sees me and doesn't have to jump up to say hi.

[weirdness281]

Very nice! If it were just me, I wouldn't mind my dog on the couch, but not all of the furniture in the house is mine! I do let her up on my bed, but once the snuggles are done she prefers to go to her crate or under the bed. Now that it's warming up she actually prefers to go out into the hallway where its a hardwood floor; I guess she prefers the cooler temperature over comfort!