When allowing or not allowing your dog to get up on the furniture, it's wise to make this big decision early, because it is a pretty big deal.
An even bigger deal if you own a large dog.
There are two important reasons why furniture access and ground rules for the furniture access should be lied out for dog.
First, it can be quite frustrating to have to fight for space on your own sofa; and second, you could be and are blurring the line of dominance, which is very important for a respectful dog/owner relationship.
Your dog should know that the furniture and especially your bed is your territory.
If you allow your dog free reign to your personal space or territory you are conceding a good deal of power to your dog, especially when it is not usually a two way street.
I mean when was the last time you curled up on his doggie bed for a mid-afternoon nap? It is a good idea to take these things into consideration before you make your final decision.
If you do decide to allow your dog complete access to your furniture, I highly recommend that you beef up your alpha- dominance in other areas to avoid him getting a little too self-important.
In order establish your role as the dominate member in your dog/owner relationship, you should think about making the furniture of limits for at least the first 6 months.
In the first 6 months of a puppy's life he is forming his concepts on proper behavior as well as his own ranking in the social hierarchy within the house.
If he is allowed to sleep in beds and get on the furniture at will he will have a distorted view of his own ranking.
Meaning he will feel as if he is at the same level as everyone in the house.
With unimpeded access to the furniture your dog will not view this privilege any longer; he will view this as his right.
This type of behavior can seriously undermine your authority, which is not a good idea.
In order to maintain a good dog/owner relationship, not only do you have to be the boss, he has to know that you are the boss.
I have said this in just about every article I have written: When it comes to dog training, the number one rule to changing or establishing the desired behavior from your dog is consistency.
Once you have made your mind up on how you want your dog to behave, whether it is getting on the furniture or or chewing on a shoe, barking to go outside or sitting by the door you must remain consistent.
Your dog does not know the difference between the good couch or the bad couch, muddy paws or clean ones.
If he is allowed to get on the furniture because that is where the kids like to play with him, he will think it is o.
k.
to get on the furniture when he feels like it, maybe even in the middle of a cocktail party on someone's band new white pants! I hope this article has given you something to think about when it comes to allowing your dog to get up on the furniture.
Until next time, happy training!
An even bigger deal if you own a large dog.
There are two important reasons why furniture access and ground rules for the furniture access should be lied out for dog.
First, it can be quite frustrating to have to fight for space on your own sofa; and second, you could be and are blurring the line of dominance, which is very important for a respectful dog/owner relationship.
Your dog should know that the furniture and especially your bed is your territory.
If you allow your dog free reign to your personal space or territory you are conceding a good deal of power to your dog, especially when it is not usually a two way street.
I mean when was the last time you curled up on his doggie bed for a mid-afternoon nap? It is a good idea to take these things into consideration before you make your final decision.
If you do decide to allow your dog complete access to your furniture, I highly recommend that you beef up your alpha- dominance in other areas to avoid him getting a little too self-important.
In order establish your role as the dominate member in your dog/owner relationship, you should think about making the furniture of limits for at least the first 6 months.
In the first 6 months of a puppy's life he is forming his concepts on proper behavior as well as his own ranking in the social hierarchy within the house.
If he is allowed to sleep in beds and get on the furniture at will he will have a distorted view of his own ranking.
Meaning he will feel as if he is at the same level as everyone in the house.
With unimpeded access to the furniture your dog will not view this privilege any longer; he will view this as his right.
This type of behavior can seriously undermine your authority, which is not a good idea.
In order to maintain a good dog/owner relationship, not only do you have to be the boss, he has to know that you are the boss.
I have said this in just about every article I have written: When it comes to dog training, the number one rule to changing or establishing the desired behavior from your dog is consistency.
Once you have made your mind up on how you want your dog to behave, whether it is getting on the furniture or or chewing on a shoe, barking to go outside or sitting by the door you must remain consistent.
Your dog does not know the difference between the good couch or the bad couch, muddy paws or clean ones.
If he is allowed to get on the furniture because that is where the kids like to play with him, he will think it is o.
k.
to get on the furniture when he feels like it, maybe even in the middle of a cocktail party on someone's band new white pants! I hope this article has given you something to think about when it comes to allowing your dog to get up on the furniture.
Until next time, happy training!