8 Tips on Handling Dog Behavior Jumping on Furniture

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Allowing the dog behavior jumping on furniture is a decision you should make when you first bring him home. It is confusing to your dog when you later take away that privilege.

However, its never too late to teach an old dog new tricks.

1. If you do decide to allow your dog on the furniture, it should be by your invitation only. You don't want your dog to have automatic furniture privileges. Rather, invite him for occasional access, and then tell him "Off." Praise him when he jumps off.
2. Be consistent. Make sure everyone in your household enforces the rules. Having a spouse that allows your dog on the furniture negates your training.
3. Try an automatic correction. For beds and couches, use inexpensive vibration-sensitive alarms, like the Tattle Tale. This sensor picks up the slightest vibration to the surface that it is on. The alarm sounds for 2 seconds, long enough to scare your dog off and alert you to the situation.
4. Provide a comfortable dog bed in the family area. This is an ideal alternative for him to sit and rest while the rest of the family lounges around.
5. Limit his access within your house. Preventing the problem is easier than correcting it. If you don't want him on your bed, close the bedroom door. Put up baby gates.
6. Make the furniture unappealing. When you aren't home, turn over cushions or put tinfoil on top of your furniture. Dogs do not like to lie on tinfoil.

   Or buy a Furniture Training Mat, like the X-Mat Pet Training Mat X-Mat Original Pet Training Mat. This contains uncomfortable raised bumps that your dog's soft paws will want to avoid, helping condition him to stay off the furniture. Even after mat is removed, your dog will associate the chosen area with discomfort and stay away.

7. Discipline him ONLY when you catch him on the furniture. It is too late to reprimand him hours later when you notice dog hair all over the couch. He will associate punishment with you, not with the act itself.
8. If your dog shows aggression when you tell him "Off," he is resource guarding the furniture. Possessiveness is a behavior problem often encountered in dominant dogs.

   You need to reestablish yourself as pack leader. Pack leaders walk through doors first, are fed first, and have their demands for affection met immediately. Do not give affection to your dog until he obeys a command. If your dog is in your walking path, make him move. Don't walk around or over him. It's the little things that matter.

Back to your dog's aggression over furniture…

• Leave a leash on your dog throughout the day. This will ensure you have complete control. Never pull on a dominant dog's collar because he may snap at you. Use the leash to get him off the couch when you give the "Off" command.
• Take possession of the furniture. Pack leaders choose their resting places. After you make your dog get off the couch, sit in his place. If your dog comes back toward the couch, make him back away. Stand up assertively and step toward and block his path.

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