Uh Oh! Caught on the Couch!
Its funny how many people try to shoo their dogs off the furniture when I arrive for their first in-home training appointment. Some of these people really don’t allow their dogs on the furniture. Their exuberant young dog is so focused on his efforts to investigate the stranger that smells strongly of liver and a pack of dogs that he really has forgotten the house rules. It is obvious to me that these owners are genuinely shocked by their dog’s behavior, and they take immediate action to remove the dog from their relatively hair-free couch. On the flip side, I meet owners that look smilingly at their dog as he sits on the hair-covered couch, and then suddenly remember that “THE DOG TRAINER” is watching, and start trying to remove a rather confused dog from his usual perch. These are the ones that make me want to giggle. I ask them, “Do you usually let him sit on the couch?” and they sheepishly reply, “yes”, as if they are confessing to some great sin. I ask, “Does your dog ever try to keep you or anyone else from joining him on the couch or from moving him off the couch?” and they reply, “Oh, no, he wants people to cuddle with him!” Then I tell them it is fine to allow their dog on the furniture as long as the dog isn’t trying to claim it all for himself. And then, I go on to tell them that I actually allow my terrier to sit on the couch… and even sleep under the covers of my bed!
Now, while I allow some dogs on my furniture (What?! Not every dog has the same privileges?! Nope, but that’s a topic for another time!), I also fully support people that don’t want dogs on their furniture. I understand the allure of hair-free, dirt-free furniture, and not having to jockey for space on the couch or in bed with your spouse AND the dog. These are perfectly legitimate reasons to not allow dogs on the furniture, and ones that I often consider. However, the cuddly little terrier’s big brown eyes and warm little body wins out over reason every time! However, if sweet little Edgar growled at my husband, my guests, or me he would lose this privilege faster than you can say “Bad dog!” If your dog gets growly when on the furniture, then that is a really, really good reason to banish him to floor level. It is also a sign that it would be a really, really good idea for you to find a qualified behavior counselor to help you address the issue! But if your dog doesn’t turn into Cujo of the Couch, then there really is no behavioral reason to deny him access.
Yes, I am finally getting around to the actual point! Many of my clients that try to shoo their dog off the couch when I arrive believe that dogs are not supposed to be allowed on the furniture. They have been told that if their dog is allowed on the furniture, then they have basically handed over the keys to the kingdom. The fact that this hasn’t happened in their home doesn’t seem to matter; they have heard this and think all dog trainers believe in this rule. I fully acknowledge that some pets do not handle furniture privileges well. Many of these pets also don’t handle being disturbed while in their own beds well- they just want to be left alone when sleeping, or don’t want to be moved when they are in a comfortable spot. Understandable, but not acceptable. Luckily, this problem is also quite modifiable with the help of a qualified professional. However, merely allowing a well-behaved dog on the furniture does not crown him king. The average dog does not think to himself, “Aha! They have allowed me on the couch… tomorrow I take over the world!” On the other hand, merely keeping a dog with behavior problems off of the furniture will not solve the problems. It may prevent some of them, but it doesn’t address the deeper issues. The dog doesn’t say, “Oh, I’m not allowed on the furniture anymore. I guess I’m no longer running the household. Oh, well, I guess I’ll do what I’m told from now on.” If only it were that simple! I could retire and take up golfing!
So, if your dog can’t handle furniture privileges, then by all means keep him off the furniture. And if you just don’t want your dogs on the furniture, then by all means keep them off the furniture. But, if you enjoy having your dog on the furniture, then there is nothing to be ashamed of! You aren’t doing anything wrong! And if a trainer comes to your house and tells you that you are doing something wrong (assuming your dog isn’t being aggressive around furniture), maybe the problem is with the trainer you chose and not with your lifestyle.
By the way, how many of you don’t allow dogs on the furniture, but have cats lounging everywhere, including the kitchen counter? Yet another topic for the future!
