How to Train Your Dog to Jump on the Couch
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Introduction
While many people prefer their dogs to stay off the furniture, there are a few good reasons for training your dog to jump on the couch, bed, or a grooming box. These include making it easier to keep him groomed or simply because you would like to snuggle with him. Allowing your dog to jump up on the couch or bed with you can be a great way to bond with your dog, but at the same time, you only want him to do this when he is told to.
Once the training is completed, you should be able to get your dog to jump on the couch, the bed, into your vehicle, onto a grooming box and just about anywhere or anything it is safe for him to jump on. Imagine how nice it would be if you could drop the tailgate of your truck, give the 'jump on' command, and watch your dog jump up into the bed without any fuss or bother, let alone needing your assistance to do so.
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Defining Tasks
While this is a relatively simple command for your pup, it will take a few weeks for him to master the command to the point where not only will he be able to jump on the couch, but anywhere else. You can use any command you want, like 'jump on', 'get up', or simply 'on', but whichever you choose, be sure to stick with a single command to ensure your pup doesn’t get confused. It also helps if only one person is trying to train him, as too many people trying to teach him will also become confusing.
You should check with your vet to make sure your pup has reached the stage of maturity where jumping on and off of the furniture is not going to cause him any injury. Young pups' bones, muscles, and ligaments have not fully formed and jumping can lead to serious injury that he may not be able to recover from.
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Getting Started
Teaching your dog to jump on the couch really doesn't take much in the way of supplies. You will need a couch (of course), a bag of your pup's favorite treats, a quiet place to work, and plenty of patience. This is one trick you can work on any time there is a little peace and quiet in the house and no one is sitting on the couch. What strikes most dog owners is that while their dog might jump on the couch when they think you are not watching, actually getting your pup to jump on the couch when you want him to can prove to be a little challenging.
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The Start Lower Method
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Ground level
Start with a lower item such as a footstool or, better yet, a grooming box.
Put your dog on a leash
Attach your dog to his leash, walk your dog up to the grooming box.
Tap the box
Tap the box and tell your pup to "jump on", or your choice of command, and use a treat to lure him up on the box.
Reward him
Use the leash to help guide him up on the box. When he steps up, give him praise and a treat.
Let him remain in place
Let your pup stay on the box for a few minutes before giving him the "jump off" command and making him get down. Treats when he does.
From different angles
Try this again approaching the box from various angles using the same command each time. When he hops up on the box, be sure to praise him and give him a treat.
Move on to the couch
Time to move on to the ultimate goal, the couch. Using the same method work with your pup until he is used to jumping on the couch whenever you invite him. Just be sure you also teach him the 'jump off' command at the same time or you may never get him to come down from his comfortable perch.
The Using a Treat Method
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Grab treats
Grab a handful of your pup's favorite treats.
Call your pup
Call your pup over to the couch while you are sitting on it.
Lay the treats
Lay one or two treats on a cushion and encourage your pup to jump on the couch to retrieve them.
Reward time
When he finally jumps up on the couch, be sure to praise him for being a good boy and give him the treats.
Rinse and repeat
Keep doing this until your pup will jump up on the couch every time you invite him to do so. Remember, it is going to take a lot of time, patience, and a more than ample supply of treats for him to master this fun skill.
The Hand Signal Method
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In front of the couch
Have your pup sit on the floor just a few inches from the couch.
Take a seat
Have a seat on the couch and get comfortable.
Hand signal time
Pat the cushion of the couch with your hand and use your 'jump on' command at the same time. This might take a while as your pup needs to associate the hand signal and the command with the action you expect him to do.
Treat time
Once your dog follows your directions, be sure to praise him heavily and reward him with treats.
Get down
Now you need to reverse this process by patting the floor with your hand and telling him to get down. When he does this, be sure to tell him he's a good boy and give him treats.
Keep at it
You can repeat this process multiple times during a training session. It shouldn't take long for him to get the idea and be ready to jump on the couch whenever you tell him to. The good news is you can use this same training to get him to jump up on the bed and snuggle with you. This is a great bonding experience for both of you.
Written by PB Getz
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 10/20/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Ally
Pomeranian and yorkie
5 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
I'm alone with my pup and home all day, it's okay for her not to go out often and stay at home all day? Also she's can't jump and go downstairs, I tried to teach her but she's too scared, unstoppable barking. Then, I'm also worried that she always poop immediately after eatinh, but when we moved to another place her poop was a little bit wetty and slightly yellow green. She doesn't poop after eating too unlike before. That's all! Thank you so much!
Oct. 18, 2021
Ally's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Kenma, At this age pup will probably need to go outside to go potty every 2-3 hours. If pup is being potty trained indoors, I would recommend walking pup at least once a day for the socialization, but that could be after others get home if you don't want to take pup by yourself. Just make sure you are giving pup things to stimulate them indoors too, like dog food stuffed kongs, puzzle toys, kong wobbles, or some training practice where they are earning their kibble as treats, for example. For the stairs, check out the article linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/use-stairs-1 For the barking, check out this article: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark For the pooping, the stress of the move might have pup's GI system more sensitive than normal. For my own dogs, I would often give a little plain canned pumpkin (no sodium, sugar, or spices added to the pumpkin in the can) and/or white rice for a bite, but there could also be something else associate with the new area going on/something pup ate going on. If pup's eating, drinking or general well being seems effected I would speak with your vet, or if pup doesn't improve on their own, or has diarrhea or vomiting. I am not a vet, so cannot give medical advice. There is also an "ask a vet" section of wagwalking under the medical pet articles section of this website www.wagwalking.com. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Oct. 18, 2021
Minnie
Miniature doberman Pinscher
12 Years
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My dog is scared of hights, she is 11 inches tall and long and the couch is 1 foot and 5 inches tall, she always starts barking and coughing (on purpose) so she can get help, so I try to help her but she just won't do it without a treat. What should I do?
April 24, 2021
Minnie's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1128 Dog owners recommended
Hello Marli, First, I would teach a Quiet command so that communication with pup is easier, for the barking behavior. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Second, because of pup's age, jumping up and down from the couch may be causing pain each time, which is why she is unwilling even though she may be able to physically do it. Without the treat, pup is not motivated enough to feel the pain involved. Instead of encouraging something that may simply be too hard for her at this age, I would purchase bed stairs and put it near one end of the couch, then teach her to go up and down those on her own. How to train bed stairs: https://wagwalking.com/training/use-bed-stairs Examples of bedstairs: https://www.chewy.com/paws-pals-4-step-dog-cat-stairs/dp/217586?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Paws%20%26%20Pals&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyZmEBhCpARIsALIzmnLTNurmCREErHO-Es920vZHfZjP91Zrhw1v_-8y3hV9UXIDNRXa4_gaAu8FEALw_wcB https://www.chewy.com/pet-gear-easy-step-cat-dog-stairs/dp/125551?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Pet%20Gear&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwyZmEBhCpARIsALIzmnLc8PHarc4JMUqApobJC_Ic9ChmZOusdKIO73lYkp7KPFe1a0Db8CEaAuxUEALw_wcB https://www.wayfair.com/Archie-and-Oscar%E2%84%A2--Cheryl-3-Step-Pet-Stair-BPTD2425-L1177-K~AOSC1314.html?refid=FR49-AOSC1314 https://doggoramps.com/blogs/dogs/introducing-couch-ramp-for-dogs Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
April 26, 2021