Any suggestions?

[LilLillysMom]

I made the mistake of letting Lilly up on our furniture after we brought her home and now that she has gotten so big she takes up half of the couch and an entire chair all by herself! I also have noticed that she leaves quite a bit of hair and the next person who sits where she has been will have Lilly hair on them. She loves to sit on the couch with us of an evening, but I need to re-train her now that she isnt allowed up on our furniture anymore. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to do this? I tell her to "get down" and she just looks at me like Im a fool if I think she is laying on the floor! I nudge her bottom when I say it and she still just looks at me! So I usually end up having to take her by the collar and literally drag her off and then she acts like her feelings are hurt. I bought a big doggie pillow for her and have put it in one of the corners of the living room next to her crate of toys, but she isnt interested in laying there either. Somebody please help! Thanks in advance for any input you may have!

 

[x19er]

We decided to do the same thing after we got our furniture re-covered. We also put a bed into the living room for the dogs and they both were very unimpressed to start with. But we kept persisting sending them to bed and within a couple of days they got the message, lots of sighing and sad eyes though. Have you tried giving Lily a treat once she is on the doggie pillow to reward her for going to it or maybe a kong filled with something yummy so she associates the doggie pillow with good things rather than bad?

 

[Simmons99]

You are doing it the right way - just when she comes off (by herself) of the furniture give her praise and a treat. If she doesn't get off when you tell her to - you should make her do it - otherwise she may think that she doesn't have to do what you say.

 

[kidzarme]

I know what I'm saying is very hard to do (I've tried it, ) but if possible, it's better if you do not physically remove her from the sofa. Try to just use your body to sort of 'crowd' her out so she has to move off and continue with the other things stated. Just try to do it without physically pulling on her collar, etc. Good luck with the big slug, ol

 

[LilLillysMom]

Well, we are getting there slowly but surely! Now she doesnt get up on the couch until we leave the room, then as soon as she sees one of us come in she jumps down. Just to see what she would do this morning I kept walking in and out of the room not saying anything. Every time I left she jumped up. Everytime I came in she jumped down. I had to chuckle. She is just like one of the kids!! :0) I will keep on her though. I know we will get there sooner or later!

 

[boing]

"Try to just use your body to sort of 'crowd' her out"

I've tried that with all our boxers over the years. The problem I've found is that they are very pig headed, and would rather be sat on than budge an inch! Alternatively, they move and then climb on top of you: they've all tried parking their bottoms on our chests, with their head/chests right in front of our faces, so you can't see the TV!! Personally, I think they're better at crowding out than I am! I worry that I might hurt them, but they don't seem to have the same scruples!

Aren't they great, though?

SAndi

 

[catcrazy56]

I give up my boys are fine for a while and then as soon as you let your guard down watch out.

 

[Kirby Kirb]

I am a sucker for my boys! The whole family in on our couch, or on me!! I love every minute of it though, I take in what I can! I am sure if we decided to get another couch the fiancee would not want them up there (he somewhat has a problem with it now!) I just put a blanket on the cushions for the hair, and remove it for company!! I know some people have an area on there couch where there animals stay, and they just have a blanket there!! I have tried to kick Kirby of the couch (no literaly!), but as soon as I tell him "off" his face looks so sad! So I cant do it!! But if the fiancee says it, he is quick like a bunny!!