Among Friends

[smb3]

You can move the dog bed to a room that doesn't have a sofa and gate the dog off from going in another room, or put something on the sofa to block the dog from going on it like laundry baskets, etc.,  something easy that fits on the sofa, but also deters the dog.

[GingerHead]

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@qvc chick wrote:

Well I asked a simple question.  I won't do that again.  My dog is completely spoiled, sleeps on king bed with me every night, has the life.

Only thing is I did not want him to ruin my sofa,  Why is that so hard to undertand??

And people come into my house, they go to sit on the sofa and they are covered with dog hair.

I do not want that - why do I get a hard time ???

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@qvc chick 

That's just the nature of a forum. A question or a comment is stated and then people discuss and it goes off into all sorts of directions.

I think that's the fun of it...the different discussions that ensue and sometimes the not so fun of it (if it gets ugly).

For the most part, I think people were trying to be helpful while also pipping in about their opinions on the topic

and to be fair your initial post wasn't completely clear so I don't think you can get mad at most people who were trying....

[Mom2Dogs]

@qvc chick   In the original post you did not mention dog hair....I replied saying my dog lays on the back of the sofa and is smushing the pillows...I guess I thought that was the issue.

If dog hair is the problem and you can't retrain the dog you will have to cover the sofa with a sheet everytime you go out and take off when you get home and constantly keep an eye on the dog so she does not jump on the sofa.

I have no problem with a TRAINING collar....we used them with our dogs and rarely had to use the controls..once the dog had the collar on the behavior stopped...same thing a friend is doing with their tiny dog that is just a awful dog...barks constantly and growls at everyone...the collar is put on her when they have company and the dog is always well behaved when we are there.

[GingerHead]

Also, I think, if nothing else, you received some very valuable information from @Marp (and maybe some others, sorry if I missed it) about something that most of us missed or didn't mention.

What's most important is the why? As @Marp posted about.

Maybe that's what you should focus on first. Afterall, I'm sure you want your dog to feel safe in their home.

[hkrgrl]

OP:  totally understand what u are saying.  for best results:  do not shout (ALL CAPS)....

1.  keep dog out of that room

2.  crate him when not at home

3.  re-train not to go on sofa, lots of time and patience is needed. 

shock collars do work, although we have never used.  great for when off lead etc..

4.  why this just happened, he probably just discovered its more comfy on top of the cushions and gets a better view

5.  i have heard of the foil trick but mostly for cats.  if u use a 'scary' tactic, makes sure the dog does not associate it with you personally, or they lose trust in you.  

other than those suggestions:  if the dog came first, then you picked the wrong sofa.  vice versa, good luck!

leather furniture does show scratch marks.  we love microfiber for sofas.  ours have lived through 2 dogs 1 cat and now 3 granddogs and our 55 lb dog.   no rips, tears or scratches.  and hair comes right off. 

Bring nature home, plant native species to your area

[occasionalrain]

If you wouldn't use a shock bracelet to train a child than using a shock collar on a dog is just as cruel. The dog knows that you put the collar on him so how can he ever trust you. 

[SilleeMee]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

If you wouldn't use a shock bracelet to train a child than using a shock collar on a dog is just as cruel. The dog knows that you put the collar on him so how can he ever trust you. 

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A shock collar isn't the same as using a training mat. Not even close. 

A shock mat is like using pigeon spikes. Makes it uncomfortable to land on the edge of a building. Same as a shock mat where it just makes it uncomfortable for the dog to sit or lay on furniture. Neither spikes or a mat are cruel. They are both used as a humane deterrent to make surfaces uncomfortable to land on.

[GingerHead]

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@occasionalrain wrote:

If you wouldn't use a shock bracelet to train a child than using a shock collar on a dog is just as cruel. The dog knows that you put the collar on him so how can he ever trust you. 

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I agree.

Doing it the right way, taking the time to reinforce desired behavior through love and praise is a beautiful thing that reinforces your bond. 

I believe there is always a better alternative to a shock collar. Scaring any creature into submission or to change behavior just seems fundamentally wrong to me.

Maybe there is a case for shock collars in the most extreme circumstance where it's a matter of life and death for the animal....I don't know

But to use shock for everyday fixes.....ugh!

I'm  just imagining putting a collar like that on my little guy while he looks up at me with those big  loving, trusting eyes and it literally makes me sick to my stomach.....

[Mersha]

I think if you are upset about a dog "ruining" your pillows, it might be a better idea not to have the dog and then the problem is solved.

It makes my skin crawl to think of "shocking" an animal in any way, shape or form.

I have been a dog person all my life.  There has always been an animal beside me.  We are free and easy with our dogs in our home.  We view them as part of our family.

My one dog insisted on taking a couch throw pillow with him to our yard.  He would put it down to rest his head while he was lying in the sun.  I bought some cheap pillows and put them on the floor by the couch.  He takes them now so problem solved.

[Lucky Charm]

I'm so surprised no one came out and said they would rather have a furbaby (thatwordisjustcreepy) on their couch than a child.

Or did I miss it?