roomate's dog on my couch. how do I make it stop?

Question

I know its comfortable and all but with interest by the time its paid off it will cost me nearly 1000 dollars.

I think its more annoying to me because the damn dog knows I don't want it on my couch. It jumps off every time I walk in the room. we do have another couch that is leather but not not as nice in another room and it is always dog accessible.

my roomate says to walk it off my couch and onto the other one than give him a treat. but that is not my job. its not my dog.

I would rather just beat it with a broom. but I don't. I just yell at it. okay... once I threw a hat at it. but even after that. as soon as no one is looking... he's back on the couch.

I don't hate dogs, I just hate dogs that aren't mine.

If I had a dog it would be awesome. it wouldn't get on my couch unless invited and I would train it to bite his dog when it trys to go on my couch.

Answer 1

There are electric mats that give an unpleasant (nonleathal) tingle to the animal.

Answer 2

Unless you are going to take the time to train the dog properly as well then you have two choices - you can cover your couch with a blanket to protect it - or you can remove the couch from where the dog is until you either move out or until your roommate moves out.

The dog obviously likes the couch and wants to sleep on it, and unless it is consistently told to stay off then it is going to continue to go on that couch. You may want to talk to your roommate about making it a rule that the dog is not allowed on ANY furniture - which will help make it easier to train.

One other trick to try is to get a can and fill it with nuts and bolts so that when you rattle it it makes a loud noise. Everytime that the dog goes near the couch throw the rattle (NOT at the dog, a few feet away from the dog). The dog should get a fright and move away from the couch. Repeat the exercice every time that the dog goes near the couch. This is a bit of an extreme training method, but if you can not commit to using positive reinforcement then it is much more humane than throwing objects at the dog.

Make a choice and stick with it. Either remove the couch as the problem, or work with your roommate to find a solution you can both live with.

Answer 3

true that the dog is not yours, but since your, your roommate and the dog lives together, the dog thinks of everyone as the pack, not just him and his owner, You also need to work with the dog. This is a two person job (and whoever else is living there too). Be affirmative, yelling is not going to solve the problem. set 30 minutes aside everyday to work with the dog, spy on him or something, once he approaches the couch tell him no and correct him immediately, don't even give him the chance to lay a paw on the couch - you need to stop his motion and train of thought of going to the couch. I have a mat at home, i make my dog sit there for a few minutes each nite at first, then extending it longer and longer, he now just goes there on his own cuz he knows that's his spot now. try that method - walk the dog first - make him tired then have him sit on the mat. treats aren't always necessary - i rarely use treats to train my dogs, it's more in the body language

Answer 4

Try to find a sofascream mat. We got one for the german shepherd and golden retriever. It was hard to find though...

Its just a mat you lay across your furniture. When to dog hops on, the mat lets out a whistle until the dog hops off. It's a pressure sensitive noisemaker. It doesn't hurt the animal in any way, but it teaches them to STAY OFF MY COUCH, HAIRBAG!!!

Love it!

Here is something that works on the same principal. $20 bucks. It is a motion sensor called the tattle tail.

http://www.jefferspet.com/ssc/products.asp?CID=0&BrowseList=870&dept_id=876

To be fair, you (or roomate) should get a bed for the animal.

Answer 5

When you find him on the couch firmly (don't yell), tell him "down" & gently lead him off the couch. Do this EVERY time you see him on the couch.
it would be better if you could catch him BEFORE he jumped on the couch (maybe spy on him) & just as he gets that look in his eyes, step in & firmly correct him with either a TSSST (noise) or simply by touching his shoulder/back & saying "aagghh"...just firm enough & loud enough to let him know that his idea of getting on the couch is a bad one.

I also have a chihuahua that likes to couch surf, as well as an english bulldog that enjoys the couch cushions every now & then....sadly you may not be bale to break the habit completely, but you can seriously curtail it.

Let him know you are in charge (gently & effectively)

Answer 6

Simple, just buy a nice couch cover, plastic or cloth, and put it over the couch. The dog will be happy because s/he has a warm comfortable place to sleep, you're happy because your couch is protected and the dog owner is happy because his dog isn't harmed.

1. when finding a sleep area dogs need comfort, warmth and a scent of the people they care for.
2. harm the dog, destroy you're friendship and/or room-mate: it's just that simple. like it or not, dogs are considered part of the family, not just pets.
3. ask your friend to pay for half of the cover, a) it's your couch and b) it's his dog, be willing to share the expense.
4. what is wrong with you?! why in h*ll would you allow a d*mn couch be worth more than the life of any living creature.

Answer 7

what a contradiction, I don't hate dogs I just hate dogs that aren't mine. Poor dog he does not know better, my eyes are tearing as I read you question. Try working with him nice and patiently until he gets what your trying to teach. Please don't throw things at him or yell at him you are breaking it spirits. Why don't you put a comfy blanket on the couch that he is allowed on. Is it really the couch or do you just "hate the dog"
You should make an effort to like the dog, you may just find a great friend in him, you know dogs are very loving and loyal, maybe that is what you need. Please please try and be patient and yelling will not work. That dog probably really likes you and that is why it gets on your couch. Good luck.

Answer 8

Remember those old hall runners, the plastic ones that are clear vinyl that go on the floor? Go to Home Depot and get one (you get it cut off a roll nowadays) the size of your couch. Flip it upside down and the little spiny things feel horrible on paws and it is large enough that the dog can not take it off the couch himself.

Good luck!

Answer 9

haha why dont you try buying it a doggy bed? a realy nice comfy one and put it near the couch it likes to lay on...it obviously doesnt want to be on the other couch b/c it wants to be with people not all by himself! try getting him a comfy bed and i know thats not your place to buy it a bed but if u care enough about your couch then im sure u wont mind spending 10 $ on a lil dog bed of some kind or even get a blanket and fold it in half or somethin

Answer 10

He probably feels the same about you too thats why he's still jumping up on the lounge! I think its youre attitude towards this dog thats the problem so he's taking no notice of you. Fancy saying you'd train another dog to bite him. he does not respect you and does not see you as pack leader. Either you get together with youre roommate and spend some time training the dog properly or chuck a blanket on the lounge and let him enjoy it. Loosen up you cant take youre lounge with you whem you go!

Answer 11

If you have 1000 to spend on a couch why not call the dog whisper to help with the dog. He could help keep fido off the furniture and help him with any under lying issues while he is there