How to Train Your Dog to Stay Off the Couch When You're Not Home

Hello Brianna, Check out the article I have linked below and the section on what to do while away...You will find there sections on blocking access or using deterrents. I would practice Off in general too so pup knows clearly that it's off limits. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

June 24, 2022

Hello Camilla, I would start by crate training pup and crating pup with a dog food stuffed chew toy while you are away. When you are home, I would also set up a camera, pretend to leave, then spy on pup and correct behaviors pup knows are off-limits with a properly fitted and trained remote training collar. To start, pup needs to practice commands and behaviors you want pup to do, rewarding those behaviors so once pup is corrected pup will clearly understand why and what to do instead. Out - which means leave the area (to address food stealing): https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method (to address food stealing): https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Place command (good to reward so pup will learn to die down on their dog bed instead of the couch): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Off- section on The Off command (for staying off couch): https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Drop It – Exchange method: https://wagwalking.com/training/drop-it First teach pup the above commands. Next, with pup on a training leash, set up scenarios where pup will be a bit tempted to do the unwanted behaviors, then give the appropriate command for that situation, reward pup if they obey, and correct on pup's working level on the remote training collar without showing pup the remote or saying much, if pup disobeys your command and does the unwanted behavior. Once pup does the appropriate behavior, like getting off the couch and onto their Place, reward with a treat. Once pup is 100% reliable with those commands while you are home, set up your camera and train with the remote training collar for short periods of time while watching from outside, go back inside to give pup a treat before leaving again, if you catch pup doing something great, like laying on their own bed or walking past another dog's food without touching it. When you aren't proactively training this, or pup is still learning the meaning of the above commands before even being ready for the remote training collar, pup should be crated while away right now. Get a durable, escape proof crate, since pup seems to have skills for getting into and out of places. If pup is still struggling with the crate, you can respond back with a new question, and I am happy to give instructions for how to address crate issues as well. Surprise method for crate training: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Example of crate issues being addressed if pup does try to break out or howl relentlessly...Work on the surprise method first though. Most dogs will need that and adjust to the crate doing just the surprise method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3j882MAYDU Finally, except for specific training purposes, I don't recommend leaving dog bowls down while away. Give each dog 15 minutes to eat their food before pulling up bowls. If there is stress or competing over food, feed in separate rooms or individual closed crates. Multi-dog households generally should not free-feed because of the risk of food fights, one dog becoming overweight, other dogs not getting enough, and generally encouraging competing, stress, and bad behaviors - when you are not always there to enforce good behaviors. With 15-30 minutes for meals (meal times like what we have) you can enforce manners around each other. Whereas with food left down, you can't. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 17, 2022