My dog is 5 years old and we've had her since she was a puppy...She's a pug and we just got new sofas and we're trying to train her not to go on the sofas...We bought her a bed, and she lays and sleeps on it, but whenever someone sits on the sofa she wants to lay on their lap or cuddle next to them...Me and my dad think we should just be patient and eventually she'll learn, but my mom, brother, and sister think that we should buy a gate or something and put her bed either in the dining room or hallway...What do you think?
it'll take alot of patience but I think gates are the lazy way out [my parents use to use them because they didn't have the patience to teach our dogs] Don't push your dog.. it'll only envoke her to think you're playing and thus she'll keep doing it. Instead, say 'no' or off the sofa or down or something like that.. Pick her up and put her down on the floor.. Keep doing this.. i know it's repetative and boring.. But you could use small dog biscuits to get her down than after a few days or weeks you give her less and less treats for getting off the sofa until you give her none. If this doesn't work there's many books and websites. Look around and you'll find a trick that'll work best for you. Edit: Make sure the whole family agrees to follow the new rules for your dog.. Have them written out or have everybody watch someone doing the actions so they understand clearly how to say and do them. If not it could hinder you're dogs progress... Since my parents have mood swings they didn't bother to help me [somedays they did others they did] train our dogs.. So the result is.. They will do things a certain way with me [listening, tricks, actions, etc etc] but with my parents they may only sit or lay down or simply do nothing because they aren't being consistant.
You are lucky you have new (different) furniture for training your dog to not jump up. It's a new environment and new rules. You and your dad are right that it will take patience, but training will also take consistency by every member of the family. If the rule is no sofa, then nobody in the family is allowed to invite the pug up ever, and every time she tries to get up, she must be told Off. There is no need to make her stay in another room or hall, She will be just fine on the floor right next to the new sofas.
My nan has the same problem with her pug, which is a very excitable one, considering their are meant to be 'granny dogs'. Because you've let her get away with going on the sofa for so long, it's going to be harder to get her out of it. Do not ever let her on the sofa afterwards, not even on your command because she'll take advantage of the situation, and you'll be back to square one. Just try placing her off the sofa every time she goes on it, and say a firm 'no' and put her in her bed. If after a few days/ weeks it doesn't work, get a plant spray, with some water in it, and have it on the strong squirt, and spray it at her (not the face), when she least expects it when shes on the sofa. This will make her jump, and associate the sofa with the water, and hopefully resolve the problem. Also, try putting a bed for her near the sofa, so she still feels part for the family, without having to go on the sofa. Hope this helps :]
You previously allowed your dog on the sofa now you are changing the rules because they are new. Initially your dog will think you behaviour is inconsistent, but she will adjust to the change. Simply but a dog basket/bed/crate in the lounge when you dog tries to jump on the sofa give a firm off command. When your dog settles quietly in the bed, praise her.
After 5 years it will be difficult to retrain her. If that is the way your mom really wants it, try to retrain her she's worth it ,right ? we all have bad habits. Patience is the key. Have you ever known anyone who quit smoking? or say developed diabetes and had to relearn how to eat ! It is really hard. I was watching a talk show, Dr Phil or Oprah who had a guest psychologist, she stated, It takes 21 days to change a habit. I don't know if that is true with dogs, but hey give it a try, it's just a little time consuming. And if you love someone (even a dog) sounds like she's worth it. Decide on a reprimand to use, clapping of hands, one word command, NO: DOWN: BAD: reinforce, follow thru with a new idea, on the floor, in a new area, or put her a small childs' chair, Ottoman or just her bed, something similar,she has always been on a higher level, close to someone, so she still needs that comfort and/or attention.
