how to keep your dog from jumping or lounging on the couch?

[CuoreleSippio]

I moved in with my boyfriend, who has a beagle/shepherd mix (a barker), age 4. It is not technically my house, but because we share equal responsibilities, I should and do have a say about how to discipline his dog. I've thrown away a couch because the dog threw up on it and after bathing repeatedly used it to dry off. He has allowed the dog to nap and lounge on the couches for so long that I have sat on the couches once in almost a year. I discipline the dog with a simple and plain "No", calling his name loudly and firmly, physically pushing him, hitting him with the newspaper, and even isolating him from the living room area at all costs. However, my boyfriend thinks I am being mean to the dog. I have repeatedly told my boyfriend about the need to up his dog's home training, behavior in public, barking, and movement in moving vehicles, but there is still much more work to be done. My boyfriend loves me, but I hate the dog. Because they are a package deal, I am at a loss. I didn't come with baggage, children, etc, but he did. Sometimes, we all see eye to eye, and the dog has improved since I have moved in but overall, the dog's training is at a high D average. Please help!

 

[gamerchick89]

I had a similar problem with my dog.
When my Hubby and I moved in together when we were dating...he had 2 dogs who jumped on the furniture...the beds...everything...

My dog who is a lot younger than his never jumped on furniture or anything....but once we moved in together my dog saw his dogs doing it and assumed it was okay.

I had to retrain my dog....eventually...I just went out and bought all 3 dogs, doggie beds.
It took a while for them to get used to it...but eventually, all 3 stopped jumping on the furniture and used their doggie beds more.

I never punished the dogs...I took their toys (that they chewed on the furniture) and placed it on the beds. I don't think its right for you to hit the dog though. You're bf is right about you being mean to the dog.

 

[fitgirl]

Guess what, the dog probably hates you too but more likely, fears you. If you really want to help and train the dog, research positive reenforcement. Or both you and your boyfriend should attend a dog obedience class. Stop hitting and abusing the dog for christ sakes. and the dog training is at a D average because of you (and your boyfriend).

 

[SifuGreg]

Well you need to train it. One of the largest failings in training is lack of consistency. Not only from the owners but how do you control it when you aren't there? WHEN you are home, you need to ensure the dog does not jump up and simply be matter of fact about it. When you aren't there, you have to ensure he can't get on the couch. If you don't, he'll simply learn that it's okay if he's not caught. Iv'e seen dogs that were sneaky enough to crawl off the sofa and ACT like they are sleeping when they hear their owners get up but the cushion is still warm.

Go to your local home depot. Purchase a length of that carpet runner. You know the stuff, on the bottom side it has "pokey" fingers designed to hold it in place on carpet. Place that upside down on the sofa when you aren't there. Slowly cut it into sections and make them smaller and smaller. Over time the want of being on the sofa will expire but in the short run I won't get on it cuz the damned thing bites if I jump up on it! Alternatively you can spend big bucks on a "scat mat" but this works just as well in most cases.

Whatever you do, STOP PUNISHING THE DOG for doing what is natural to it. You CANT train a dog if you don't show them what not to do AND what to do and maintain consistency.

 

[college_girl0813]

You should not hit the dog with newspaper, nor physically push him off of the couch. Don't yell at the dog and don't isolate the dog somewhere that he is not comfortable. You cannot concentrate on so many behavior issues at once with a grown dog and each thing will take considerable time and effort. I suggest you seek professional help with the training, because yelling at and hitting a dog are good ways to make a dog mean or timid. Neither of which is good because a timid dog is just sad to see as it shies away from every little thing and a mean dog is likely to hurt someone. You probably.

Take the dog to obedience classes and they will tell you what to do from there. Ask the dog's vet to recommend a good one.

 

[xxchazxx]

The dog was there before you moved in so i think it is pretty unfair of you to demand that the dog has to change it's behaviour just because you have moved in, the dog is used to it's home comforts and it is disgusting how you push/hit the poor dog for something that it has always been used to. If you don't like the dog then move out.. have you ever heard the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks?" well this is a very true saying!!

 

[ChichiMom]

Well, you said the bf and his dog are a package deal. I think you should get your own place and not allow the BF to bring the dog over. Or maybe move out AND get a new BF. I think you are being mean to the dog, too. He was there before you were.

 

[NaylaGordon]

For your boyfriend to understand about training you may want to consult a trainer to help your boyfriend understand the meaning of training and the behavior that developes with out proper training.
Since we as wives or girlfriends tend to be pushy or bossy boyfriends tend to not want to listen so the best thing to do is have someone explain to him how to train a dog and what to expect out of them.
Keeping dogs off furniture is easy but he needs to understand why and not to allow the dog to do this as it is humans that sit on furniture and dogs on dog beds.
Training a dog produces a wonderful and loving pet, untrained dogs cause problems because dogs do not know what is expected of them so they tend to be naughty.
What I would suggest is either a dog training book or someone with training to help him understand the need for training and positive at that.