How to Keep Your Puppy off the Couch

The first piece of furniture a puppy wants to jump on is a couch. It's the place in the house where most people sit. Your puppy can clearly see that you're relaxing, and that there's room for him to relax with you. Puppies leave hair on the couch, however, and can damage it in other ways, either through drooling, biting or scratching. Train your puppy to lie on his own bed and when he gets older, if you remain consistent, he'll keep to his habits and stay off the couch.

Instructions

    • 1

      Keep a leash on your puppy. As soon as he's old enough to jump onto the couch, use the leash to prevent it by stepping on the leash, or lead him off of the couch right after he jumps on it.

    • 2

      Give him a place of his own. If you want your puppy not to use the couch, buy him a doggie bed or other piece of doggie furniture. Redirect him to his piece of furniture when he jumps on the couch.

    • 3

      Scare your puppy with unusual noise or movement when he jumps onto the couch. Blast an air horn or stack empty aluminum cans on the back of the couch. Make sure the cans fall over and startle the puppy.

    • 4

      Reward your puppy for good behavior. When you redirect him to his bed and he stays, give your puppy a treat. Also give him words of affirmation, telling him he's a good dog because he chose his furniture over the couch.