How to Keep Your Dog or Cat off the Couch
Dogs and cats hang out on the sofa for the same reason you do: it’s so comfortable! While there are occasions when you might be happy to have your pet on the furniture, there may come a time you wonder “how do I keep my dogs off the couch?”! By training your dog to stay off the couch until you invite them, or by making certain pieces of furniture unappealing to cats, you will help your pet develop good habits and keep them safe.
Why Keep Pets off Furniture?
Some pet parents love to cuddle up with their furry friend on the couch, but there are several reasons why you wouldn’t want a dog or a cat on your sofa.
🐾 They May Spread Dirt or Leave Hair Everywhere. If your dog has just come inside covered in dirt and mud, the last thing you’ll want is to get that mess on your furniture! In addition, if your cat or dog is a heavy shedder, they’ll likely leave lots of hair behind.
🐾 Your Houseguests Are Allergic to Them. Visitors may be allergic to cats or dogs, and your pet jumping up on the couch next to them—or right into their lap!—could trigger an allergic reaction.
🐾 They Could Smash Fragile Objects. Whether it’s your cat exploring a bookcase or your dog sniffing around the couch, they could accidentally knock over picture frames, glasses, or plates and send them tumbling.
🐾 They Have Access to Off-Limit Items. If your pet has free rein over the furniture and cabinets, they might encounter cooking ingredients, medicine, plants, or other forbidden items—even if the rest of your home is puppy-proofed. Unsupervised pets could make a mess or potentially ingest something toxic to them.
🐾 They May Develop Resource-Guarding Behaviors. Dogs have an instinctual drive to protect their territory, and they could become possessive of your couch or bed as “theirs.” Their territorial aggression could result in them barking or snapping at you when you try to sit near them or when you ask them to get off the couch.
Of course, if you consider your pets part of your family, it may seem natural to have them snuggling with you on the couch. In that case, it’s important they understand that couch time is only allowed when you give them the okay.
How to Keep Your Dog Off the Couch
If you don’t want to give your pet unlimited access to the furniture, consider approaching this challenge from several angles:
Identify a Pet-Only Area for Their Use
Purchase a truly great dog or cat bed, a crate where they feel comfortable, or an older chair that’s designated for them. If your dog or cat feels like they have a special place of their own, they’ll be more likely to hang out there than in other areas.
To train your animals to stay in those areas, reward them with treats when they use their bed or chair. By encouraging your pet with treats to use their own bed, you can save yours just for you!
Train Dogs to Stay off the Couch
If you only want your dog on the furniture sometimes, you can train them to respond to commands. Teach your dog specific cues to let them know when it’s okay to get on the couch and when they need to get down. Keep it simple: try “Up!” and “Down!” or “Off!” as your commands. When your dog obeys, reward them with a chew treat.
Keep Pets off Furniture with Sprays or Barriers
Several options work as couch deterrents for dogs. Spray-on repellents have strong odors that are unappealing to dogs and cats. When used daily, these sprays will keep your pet away from any “taboo” area. You can spray the repellent directly on your couch, cabinets, or other furniture, or you can dampen a paper towel or rag and place it in the area.
You can also use physical barriers or objects to dissuade pets from going where you don’t want them to. Block off rooms or areas with pet gates and consider crate training your dog so they can stay safely in a crate when you’re away.
Furniture deterrent sprays and barriers are both effective ways to keep dogs off the couch even when you’re not home.
How to Keep Cats off Furniture
Cats can be more difficult to control, and most do not respond well to training. No matter how many times you chase them off the couch or stop them from climbing on your furniture, cats might do it anyway. To deter them, you have to make your own furniture unattractive.
Spray repellent works for cats and kittens as well. Be sure to use the spray every day to keep the odor fresh. You can also line your couch with aluminum foil or plastic floor runners to make these areas uncomfortable or unappealing to your cats.
As an alternative to your furniture, provide your cat a dedicated space just for them that is comfortable and calming.
🐾 Related: How to Get Your Cat to Like You in 5 Steps
Stay Paw-Sitive: The Dos and Don’ts of Keeping Your Dog or Cat off the Couch
DO use a reward-based system when trying to keep pets off furniture.
DON’T punish your pet.
DO give commands firmly and authoritatively.
DON’T yell or take your frustration out on your pet.
DO reward your pet when they exhibit good behavior.
DON’T spray water or use physical force to keep your pets off the couch.
DON’T make your pet afraid of you.
DO train your pets from a place of love and patience with positive reinforcement!
