How to stop a smart dog from getting on the couch.?

Question

I have a 3 year old German Shepherd and he wont stay off the couch. He only does it when everyone is gone. He is not allowed on ANY of our furniture, not even our bed, and never has been. He has two beds of his own and knows to goto them when told. Ive tried scolding him, sticky tape, mouse traps, piling pillows and spanking him. When I stand by the couch after he has been on it, he comes crawling over to me like he know what he did(ears tucked back and very low to the ground).The mouse traps work just great but he is smart enough to know when they aren't there. The vet recommended clear double sided tape that he couldnt see but was still smart enough to avoid getting on it so I tried putting the tape on there without him being in the room and he still knows. I dont want to have to put stuff on the couch when I leave and I also do not want to crate him. Other than the couch thing he is a extremely obedient dog. Can someone please help me out with this because im about to lose my mind?

Answer 1

My Basset Hound did the exact same thing for ages.

He would even go so far as to jump up on the windowsill to watch us pull out of the driveway. We always had a sneaking suspicion that he was waiting for us to leave so that he could get on the couch, so here's what we did...

One day, we drove around the block, put the truck in neutral when we got to our street, and just let it roll into the driveway so that he couldn't hear us. I got out, snuck around to the side of the house, looked in the window, and there he was, just as happy as could be on the couch.

So, I pounded on the window, and shouted "GET OFF THAT COUCH!" Haha... I've never seen the poor guy look so horrified. But, he hasn't really done it since, and I think it was the element of surprise that did it. He realizes now that even though he THINKS we're gone, we may not actually be.

Other than that, my grandmother suggested laying a few newspapers on the couch... the crinkling sound startles them when they jump up there. It'd still be having to put something on the couch when you leave, but newspapers are relatively easy to lay out.

Well, hope this helps... your subject line caught my attention, because we were at our wit's end, too. It was more or less a war there for awhile.

Answer 2

Hmmmm.... have you tried any of the deterrent sprays? I don't know if they work well or not... I'm sure some are better than others. Is there a way you can put him in another room when you leave? Other than that, I really don't know. Throw a blanket over the couch to keep the hair off? Oooh... OR... I just thought of this! You know those little "door alarms" they sell at like Radio Shack and stuff for kid's rooms? They are basically a lazer beam that when it's interrupted, it makes the alarm go off. They're generally under $20. IF your dog is startled by loud noises, like an alarm, that might work. Set it up so when he gets on the couch he'll set off the alarm...like on an end table with the beam shooting across the entire front of the couch. Maybe? I dunno... just a though. Good luck.

Answer 3

Spray some of that stuff on there that makes them stay away from stuff. I dont remember what it is but they dont like the way it smells. Its hard to keep them off if you are not there. My uncle has a german shepard and he is really smart but hey put a baby gate on the couch so the dog will not be comfy if he gets up there. I also had Shepards and I would never let them in the house because they shed so much and I cant stand an animal on furniture. I had a really large fenced in yard though.

Answer 4

Of course he comes up to you with his ears back and low to the ground but he just wants to be near your scent and if even if he's NOT in the room, he still has a keen sense of hearing so he can hear you peeling the tape off the roll as you are applying the tape to the couch. Believe me, I'm not trying to insult you, but it sounds like he wins paws down in the brains department because he knows that he's doing wrong but his daddy doesn't seem to know how accute his hearing actually is. Seriously I suggest talking to a trainer and seeing what they have to say. I hope that i have saved your sanity

Answer 5

I lost the couch battle long ago. Face it, the dog is going to get up there unless you segregate him while you are away. What's the big deal anyway? The dog is comfy and therefore less stressed while you're out all day... My only other suggestion would be to put objects on the couch that are too large for him to move, like kitchen chairs...

Answer 6

He likes the couch b/c it smells like you. I know you said you don't want to put anything on the couch, but I'm assuming you mean like tape that would mess up the furniture. Try a Scat Mat. We got it for our cats. Worked like a charm. We got ours from Fosters & Smith online but maybe other places have it for less $$, try eBay :)

Answer 7

I know they sell items for this situation in pet stores. It's like a blanket size plastic that has little things sticking out, so when the dogs jumps up it's uncomfortable. I believe that some floormats for cars have these on them as well (accept floormats aren't as big). Good Luck.

Answer 8

Umm..yeah first off spanking your dog isn't going to work its just going make him rebel more and yes that means jumping right back on your couch!! and he is going up there because it leaves a scent of you and when your gone that's who he wants because dogs don't enjoy being left alone!!

Answer 9

I would suggest leaving a towel on your couch for a few days, so that it smells like your couch, don't let the dog lay on it, but after those few days, lay it on his bed.

Answer 10

do u suppose it as simple as i know i'm not suppose to but u aren't home so i'm gonna.
animals r children and they like trying to get away with things just like kids do
have u tried putting chayenne pepper all over the couch, that would probably work,
chances r he'll outgrow it in the meantime u have to put up with it. it's his way of protesting that u r not home.