Couch question

[Raika's Mom]

Raika has recently discovered that she's big enough to jump onto the couch. When she does it on her own, I tell her "down" and push her back down. However, I do sometimes invite her up with me to have puppy snuggle time. Is it confusing to her that I do that? I want her to know that I'm the boss and she can only come up when I say, but if she's going to think that she can get up there anytime, I should just stop. Soon she'll be too big to get up on the couch with me anyway...
Maybe I should just have snuggle time on her puppy bed with her and leave the couch out of this? Any thoughts on this?

[poeluvr]

i think in my opinion...its either cuddles on the floor. or dog allowed on couch

[juliefurry]

I only allow my dogs on the couch when I say so. If they get up when I don't give them permission I take them off. They have to wait until I say ok before they are allowed up. Usually it is ok to allow your pup up on the couch, unless it starts acting dominant then take away bed and couch priviledges (if you allow your pup on the bed).

[poeluvr]

yea i guess you could train them that way too...it would just be harder not black and white..more gray..good advice julie...i knew there would be a way

[juliefurry]

yeah it sounds sort of confusing but it's a good way of establishing dominance with them. If one of them gets up on the couch without me saying ok then I know they aren't allowed on the couch or bed for awhile because they are starting to challenge me.

[Raika's Mom]

Yeah, I already feel like Raika and I are struggling for dominance so I'll make sure to stand my ground on the couch thing.

[Dakotah_2009]

Originally Posted by LEA

i think in my opinion...its either cuddles on the floor. or dog allowed on couch

I think that a good idea LEA.

[juliefurry]

another good thing to do, if you don't already, is make her do something if she wants something. Like I make all my dogs sit to be petted, to get their food, to get their treats, to go outside, for anything. If she comes up and shoves her head in your lap ignore her tell her to sit and then pet her. Only do things on your own terms not hers!

[skyhigh]

Julie, when i got my border collie he was like that. He always sat for everything he wanted. Now he's always sitting. I can't get him to stand. lol. If i look at him he sits. Weird... but that's the way he got taught before i got him

[mrose_s]

our dogs no about the beds, the "ask" if they can come up by pushing their noses around on it. And wait for us to let them. Ofcourse, if we are out of site, they choose for themself.