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Wondering why dogs are drawn to love seats, ottomans, and all the like?
Home furnishings are necessary whether you are moving into a new home, purchasing a new one, or simply trying to make your living space more…livable.
They provide relaxation—a sense of warmth and comfort, especially after a hard day’s work.
Anyone with a favorite spot on the couch can attest that there is nothing more satisfying than spending the day idling, and it all begins with having an extra-cozy living room from which to indulge.
Chances are, if you have furniture, your pooch will want to jump on it.
Although there is nothing wrong with letting him join you on the couch, not everyone appreciates having their animal companion in their space.
Not only does it become uncomfortable, but pets can harm your furniture—which will require a costly repair.
Not to mention having dog hair all over you every time you sit down!
So, what does a dog lover do if their dogs start jumping on furniture?
In this article, we will try to understand why dogs are so eager to join in the fun whenever they see us lazing around and how to help them understand where they should hang out instead.
Dogs Jumping on Furniture
Lying on the sofa allows dogs to achieve their desire for comfort and relaxation—where they can snooze in the corner and feel safe.
Not just the sofa, but dogs love curling up on any piece of furniture, especially one with a soft surface like a bed.
However, this fascination often has reasons other than simply wanting to chill.
To Be Close to You
When he gets on the couch, it also conveys that he wants to be near you so he can feel your warmth and company.
Sitting next to you is his favorite place to be, so he wants to be there to get your affection.
Also, he doesn’t want to be left on his own. Even though he can see you from a distance, being right next to you is completely different.
To Get Your Attention
Your dog probably knows exactly what grabs your attention.
If you had to chase him away every time he hopped on your furniture, this was more attention than he had received just five minutes earlier.
It's hardly the most thrilling pastime, but it's better than lying on the floor by himself.
To Smell You
Aside from hearing your voice, he can also recognize your presence by smelling you.
If you spend most of your time on the couch, your scent will linger on it. He will then start to associate you with the couch.
He spends quite a lot of time alone during the day while you are gone, which means when you’re not at home, he will want to smell your scent to feel better.
To Get a Better View
Depending on your dog's size, he can see more when he's up on the couch or your bed because there are fewer objects in the way.
This allows him to monitor everything that happens in the house, whether to keep you and your family safe or so he doesn’t miss out on anything.
Aside from wanting to see the entire room, he may even want to observe what’s happening outside if the sofa is next to a window.
To Keep Himself Busy
Especially when you're not around, dogs' boredom can be dangerous.
Having no one to play with when you leave him alone, he will eventually find other ways to pass the time.
Jumping on the couch not only makes him think of you, but it also keeps him entertained.
He can make the most out of the time he has to himself because no one can stop him from doing what he wants.
Why Is It a Problem When Dogs Jump on Furniture?
For various reasons, many dog owners would not want their pets to sit on their furniture.
Aside from wanting to avoid getting stray hairs on their bed, they are worried it might absorb any doggy odors. Or worse, their pets might pee or poop on it.
Your furry friend’s muddy paws all over your belongings may not be fun as well.
It will not take long for your brand-new, spotless white couch to change into a filthy brown couch.
Another reason for not wanting dogs on furniture is that they may get injured from jumping off high places, which can worsen various problems, including hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, arthritis, or luxating patella.
A small dog leaping off a couch can be similar to us jumping off a wall three times our height.
For a large dog, the joints are put under a lot of strain when they have to move all that extra weight up and down.
Many dogs enjoy the springy sensation of the bed or couch and often use it as a “springboard” when they’re having zoomies.
If given a chance, they’ll probably play on a trampoline and gallop around all day.
However, there is a greater risk of damage when bouncing on an uneven surface or, worse, while transitioning from soft, springy ground to hard ground.
RELATED: 5 Best Dog Joint Supplements For Arthritis
How to Stop Dogs from Jumping on Furniture
It is easiest if you don’t allow your pooch on every piece of furniture AT ALL.
One of the best ways to prevent the issue is to stop it before it begins.
Trying to keep your dog off the couch can seem like an uphill battle once he gets a taste of the good life.
And if he notices that you spend a lot of time on the couch, he'll assume that you too find it to be a comfortable place. This will encourage him to give it a try.
So, when the chance comes, expect that he’ll jump in beside you!
If you're determined to discourage your pup from lying on the couch, you must set clear rules and make sure that everyone in the household is aware of the new routine.
Be consistent with the decision you make, or your pet will be confused.
Instead of using unpleasant methods that may trigger fear and stress, Animal Medical Hospital brings a healthier alternative, an interactive way for you to bond even further.
- Put some goodies on the floor while your dog is on the couch.
- Once he gets off the couch, give him more treats and lots of praise.
- Give him something interactive to play with, like a bone or a ball, as an alternative to getting back up on the couch.
The goal is to get your dog excited about staying off the furniture. Help him understand that he can still be close to you, just not on the couch.
The time you spend teaching him to stay off the furniture will be very rewarding.
Plus, your pet will be delighted to discover he gets treats for being on the ground.
Other Options and Solutions to Keep Dogs Off Furniture
Working with treats is a great start, but most dogs get back on the sofa again!
A dog may be hesitant to leave, even for a treat, especially with the older ones for whom lying on the sofa has become an ingrained habit.
Never try to wrestle or even attempt to lift a grumpy dog off your furniture. Instead, try better rewards once you have him down on the ground.
Also, some dogs stay off the bed when their owners are around but jump on it as soon as they leave.
This hinders your progress in teaching your dog that the floor is a good place to be.
So, you may need to implement an intervention plan.
Make Your Furniture Inaccessible
The best course of action is to use a baby gate at the entrance of your room so he can’t go to your bed or chair.
Another option is to place a barrier on the couch, like a pile of books or laundry baskets—anything that makes it less inviting.
Give Your Dog His Sleeping Area
You may want to provide your pup with his bed so he can get comfortable on the floor and not be tempted to climb on the furniture.
The bed should be in the middle of the house, where he won’t be alone and can still interact with the family.
There are a lot of brands and styles of dog beds available these days, and if you'd like, you can even give your pooch a doggy couch of his own!
Keep Counters Clean
Dogs shouldn't eat or chew on anything you don't offer, even if the food is safe for them to eat.
They might choke or eat something toxic, especially if they are left unattended.
So, keep counters free of food scraps and crumbs, or put them away in cabinets to discourage your pet from jumping up to reach them.
Give Your Dog Access to a Different Window
You can direct your dog’s behavior to something more appropriate by making sure he has access to a different window in a safer area of the house.
Either you place a cozy dog bed close to the preferred window or turn that spot into a playroom where your dog will feel at ease.
Why Not Provide Your Pooch with the Same Luxury?
Dog sofas are fast taking over as the top gear trends in the pet market.
They are typically more durable than regular beds and can offer additional support to dogs who require them.
Additionally, they can help you set limits on the furnishings your dog is permitted to use.
Want your doggo off of your brand-new couch? Then, get Fido his very own sofa!
A variety of dog sofas are available, both big and small, so you're sure to find one that suits your pet.
Take a look at some of the best brands now on the market.
Petmate La-Z-Boy Newton Sofa Bed
The Newton Sofa by La-Z-Boy gives your pet its place while bringing a touch of sophistication into your house. It is perfect for large breed dogs up to 75 lbs. This Chesterfield-style sofa is made of furniture-grade materials, including a solid wood base and feet and a human-grade textured chenille upholstery fabric that helps hide pet fur and signs of wear and tear.
EMME T-Shape Orthopedic Dog Bed
Your dog will have plenty of headrest space and cushy corners to tuck into on the EMME Dog Bed, which features everything you could need for your cherished pup. It will best suit your pet's interest and the décor of your home with its most recent design and color palette.
Pet Craft Premium Orthopedic Lounger
This luxury dog bed has an orthopedic foam base, a contemporary sofa-style design that offers extra security for large and medium-sized dogs, and an overstuffed supportive bolster for extra-large dogs who like to lounge.
With your budget in mind, professionals carefully created this feature-rich dog bed, which was made with high-quality, long-lasting materials and textiles in colors and patterns that would complement any interior design.
Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed
The open mattress design and slope-contoured form factor provide pets plenty of room to sleep in various positions while promoting greater ergonomic comfort and orthopedic support for pets. For increased snuggling comfort, the main sleep surface is lined with thick, velvety, curling faux fur that is nice on paws and noses.
Friends Forever Orthopedic Dog Sofa
With this plush bed, your dog will have a restful night's sleep. Even dogs that suffer from arthritis or joint problems will find it exceptionally comfortable because of the cushioned plush poly-fill bolster.
This orthopedic bed has been put through tests to show that it is durable and long-lasting.
It also has a water-resistant liner and human-grade mattress foam.
FAQs about Dogs Jumping on Furniture
Is it okay for dogs to jump on the couch?
Dogs shouldn't jump on and off the couch because they could hurt themselves on different surfaces.
Twists and injuries are more likely to occur when moving from a hard surface to a soft one (and vice versa).
How do you stop dogs from jumping on furniture?
You use the cue “leave it” to train a dog to stay away from something, making it also useful for telling a dog not to jump up on furniture.
As opposed to dealing with a dog that has already leaped up, it serves a “preventive” purpose by keeping the dog from doing so.
Why does my dog keep jumping on the sofa?
Puppies will usually jump up on the couch to grab our attention.
Even if we ask them to get down while being angry and upset, it still counts as an interaction that can turn into a game.
Dogs Jumping on Furniture: Final Thoughts
To share or not to share?
Depending on your preference, you may or may not let your dog on the furniture.
If you don't mind a little extra fur and a few muddy paw prints here and there on your cushions, then, by all means, let him be by your side.
As owners, we need to understand that pets love to be comfortable, too.
So, if you truly care for them and love them dearly, consider a few things first before shooing your poor dog away or allowing your dog to jump on furniture.
