Training Dog to Stay off Couch

[animallover7249]

About dogs: Do you ever stop your dog from licking their paws/the ground or scratching themselves?

The only time I would stop a dog from scratching or licking themselves is if they are doing damage.

ETA: How did he punish her?

[danakscully64]

The only time I would stop a dog from scratching or licking themselves is if they are doing damage.

ETA: How did he punish her?

Don't worry, he didn't beat her or anything. He was very confrontational. I can understand his frustration, the couches are a month old and were very expensive (her claws tear up stuff fast). We have been discussion other options, more positive things.

I think we found the problem. Okay, so we were discussing this issue in our bedroom with the door open, but out of view. I seriously walked out and she was on the couch again. I started laughing because it was so ridiculous. I called her, didn't yell or spray her (she looked SO comfortable). All 4 times, she's been laying on my blanket. I'm wondering if she's wanting the blanket more than the couch. I dropped the blanket to the floor and walked back into the room. Within a minute, she was on the blanket. If that's the case, that's a very good thing. We brought the blanket into the bedroom and closed the door, she stayed put on her bed. I was talking to him earlier about giving her the blanket and getting a new one (it's still in great shape, but if she wants it that bad, it's hers).

[Tori~CL]

Start sitting on her doggy bed. Maybe she'll see you sitting there and decide it's the best spot in the house.

Perfect solution.

[Irizary]

Are her nails clipped, or does she just dig into the cloth?

[danakscully64]

Are her nails clipped, or does she just dig into the cloth?

Her nails aren't overgrown, she just "digs" to get comfortable. She does it with her own bed and even the carpet sometimes. She ruined about $120 worth of cushions at my Mom's house before my Mom bought new ones and kept them in the garage (she was not happy about that), waiting for us to move out.

[danakscully64]

Start sitting on her doggy bed. Maybe she'll see you sitting there and decide it's the best spot in the house.

Each time I reread this comment, I laugh out loud

[Amy SF]

Heather, it looks like you found the reason for her misbehavior and the cure. Definitely give her the blanket and get a new one. Maybe it's your personal mommy smell that she likes. When you're not there, she's lonely for you, and your blanket comforts her because it smells like you.

If you do give her the blanket, make sure every so often you wash it and use it again so you infuse your smell into it and make her happy.

[Irizary]

Well, it sounds like covering a corner of it with a blanket that she can dig into is a kind of solution - she'd probably stick to the place with the blanket. It just won't look the way you want, and you'll probably have to replace shredded blankets from time to time.

I've always figured that if I have a pet, I can't have my living space look just the way I want it. I'm not someone to really give advice about this though, because I've always been very lenient with animals and furniture.

[pajamajes]

Each time I reread this comment, I laugh out loud

lol. and i was totally serious. wow, that's hilarious.

[danakscully64]

Heather, it looks like you found the reason for her misbehavior and the cure. Definitely give her the blanket and get a new one. Maybe it's your personal mommy smell that she likes. When you're not there, she's lonely for you, and your blanket comforts her because it smells like you.

If you do give her the blanket, make sure every so often you wash it and use it again so you infuse your smell into it and make her happy.

Maybe. I'm going to put the cushions up tonight to be safe. She's slightly snoring on her own bed right now.

Well, it sounds like covering a corner of it with a blanket that she can dig into is a kind of solution - she'd probably stick to the place with the blanket. It just won't look the way you want, and you'll probably have to replace shredded blankets from time to time.

I've always figured that if I have a pet, I can't have my living space look just the way I want it. I'm not someone to really give advice about this though, because I've always been very lenient with animals and furniture.

She's still not allowed on the couch, we would rather her stay on her bed or somewhere else on the floor (carpet or hardwood). I'm thinking of moving the blanket to a spot on the floor away from her bed, so she has 2 spots. She currently alternates between sleeping on her bed and on the carpet next to our dining room table (against the wall). I'm a lot more lenient on things, but I'm not the one who bought the couches and I completely understand why it's a better idea if she stays on the floor. She's being treated, but she's also been having flea problems (I hate living in Texas).