Staying off the couch while I'm gone

[chrisandty]

Tyson is about a year and a half now and I recently stopped crating during the day while I am at work. He was doing great up until about 2 weeks ago. He isn't allowed on the couch or the bed unless invited and he does fantastic at this while I'm at home, but I always catch him lying on the couch when I get back home from being out. We went about a month without incident, but he has tore a hole in my couch twice in the last two weeks (same hole - he just made it bigger the second time around).

I always lined the couch with a comforter when I left to prevent some of this, but he finds a way to move the comforter and get at the same hole. This morning I outfitted the couch with two blankets (and tucked the bottom one in) so we'll see if this worked when I get home. My main question is how to keep him off the couch while I'm gone. He has a dog bed setup right next to the couch, but only seems to lie on it when I'm at home.

Thanks in advance for any help!!

 

[larrygs]

I don't have a great answer. Basically the couch is more desirable and is available, so Tyson is being logical.

When we had Maxine, we would put an old coke can with pennies in it on the couch. The sound of pennies rattling in a can bothered her. However, when the can wasn't there, she was.

 

[TwoDogs]

They are smart and learn pretty quick that there are no negative consequences when you aren't there. You might try getting some of that plastic carpet protector that they sell at most large home improvement centers. It is generally clear plastic with little spikey grippers on the underside. Place it upside down on the couch so the pokey plastic spikey grippers are pointing up. Tyson will find they are not comfortable to lay on.

 

[RockyCody]

I would just crate him again. If Tyson can't behave out of the crate while alone, he shouldn't have the privilege. Just my opinion though.

Who knows what else you will come home to one day.... what else will be destroyed ? Is it worth it? Not only will you have to replace your furniture but you will have to worry about Tyson and whether or not he ate something - and those surgeries to get obstructions out can be REALLY $$ - not to mention he might not even make it.

I think people feel guilty for crating while away - but at the same time it is the safest option for the dog - especially if he's good in his crate and used to it. He's just not ready to be out yet, maybe?

 

[Velveteen]

we used to line the couch with aluminum foil for another boxer we had when i was a kid. she wouldn't jump on the couch the foil freaked her out .

i agree with rockycody tho that i would just crate, or have a more restrictive area. chloe just started getting free run of the house at 3 years old. for a year we just kept her gated in the kitchen (2-3) because she would get into things. prior to that she was crated...

 

[larrygs]

To RockyCody's point, all of our boxers were crated until at least 2 years old. We don't have damage or are concerned they will hurt themselves. Maxine was about 2 1/2 when she finally had full range of the house. No issue other than what I mentioned resolved by the coke can. We really work at insuring they like their crates and get exercise and stimulation when out. In addition, they always get walked mid day. (Ok, we are admittedly over the top boxer parents.)

Layla is 2 1/2 and still crated. Actually we had given her the freedom of the laundry room for a few months before we got Jack. We didn't want her to be harrassing him from outside of the crate. So they are now side by side in crates when we are not home.

There will come a time when they will let us know a crate isn't needed. For now they eagerly run to their crates when we say "go to bed."