The easiest way to stop your dog from jumping on the furniture is not to allow it from the beginning. Many people with small puppies pick them up for a cuddle on the couch or put them on the couch for a sleep. As the puppy grows it’s no longer fun having to share the couch with a fully stretched out dog and you have just a corner. Then the fun begins. The puppy was allowed up there and now you have changed the rules and suddenly it’s not allowed up there any longer!!!! The dog is confused and keeps jumping up because it doesn’t know the rules have changed.
Start with inviting the pup up for a cuddle – give a command-‘cuddle time’ and pat the couch where you want the pup to sit – then say –‘cuddle time’ and allow the puppy up. When you want the dog off the couch – then say “OFF’ in a stern voice and put the puppy on the floor.
If the puppy jumps up without you inviting it say ‘OFF’ and gently but firmly, take the puppy by the collar and take it off the couch. Give the puppy two chances only – ‘OFF’ and taken off couch – if it jumps up a second time – ‘OFF’ and taken off the couch. If the puppy jumps up a third time say ‘OFF’ then don’t just take it off the couch either put it in a crate or in another room for a time-out. The three strikes and you are out rule. You have to be persistent and not give in – eventually the dog will only jump up when invited as it is then allowed to stay there for longer and settle with you.
If you don’t want the puppy on the furniture at all – then never invite it up and start with the three strikes rule – don’t make the mistake of chasing the puppy all over the couch and the chairs to try and catch it – this is a great game and puppies love it!! Be Firm and clear with the command ‘OFF’ say it like you mean it and don’t ever invite the puppy up.
Susie J dog trainer BCCS Dip PL Can Bhv.
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