How to keep a sheltie off the furniture?

SheepOfBlue · Nov 11, 2009

*Caro said:
I kept mine off the couch until the got through the worst of adolescence. I resorted to the short lead while they were adolescents. So when they barked or did something naughty I just grabbed the short lead and put them in time out, or pulled them off the furniture.

I did teach 'off' and if they tried to get on againI pulled them off with the short lead and put them in time out. It didnt take long for them to work it out. Nowadays if I want the whole couch to myself they will get off for me.

There is a major drawback to teaching your dog to get off the furniture when you are there - they sneak on to it when you are not there! Tully became the master sneaker onto the kitchen table and benches, she learnt to wait until I was out and it took me ages to work it out!

When I am not here he is usually outside. I am still trying to puppy proof the house so he is not allowed in about half yet.

Calliesmom · Nov 11, 2009

Along with teaching off- teach Sca to go to his bed/mat/crate- then you can tell him to do something else.
Somehow, I got lucky- I didn't teach either of them to wait for an invitation but they do if I'm on the couch. If I'm in another chair, then the couch is like an open invitation.

Calliesmom · Nov 11, 2009

RonandJan said:
He is so good at THE STARE.

I think, he thinks he has the power to make things move and happen

What- you mean he doesn't????: :rolleyes2:

PitterPatter · Nov 11, 2009

Lightplum said:
buy a larger couch no seriously I am the wrong one to answer this topic...I have 4 dogs and 2 cats on mine right now I gave up trying a long time ago!

Lightplum's comment made me laugh. :biggrin2:

Mine takes her nose and flips the pillows off. She can't tolerate having those dag blasted things in the way. So sorry, no help. She also sleeps on the bed, however she can't jump up to get in bed. The bed is too tall and her legs are too short. :rolleyes2:

Esme · Nov 12, 2009

With 2 little girls actually picking the puppy up and putting her on the couch we were lost before we even started.

I don't really mind though. I love it when she jumps up and snuggles next to me when we're watching a movie or reading on the couch. Its about the only time I'm sure she's being affectionate not just buttering me up for treats. :wink2:

Sumac3890 · Nov 12, 2009

LOL and I could not wait for when they COULD jump on the furniture!!! Does not bother me in the least that they get on the furniture.

RonandJan · Nov 12, 2009

PitterPatter said:
Mine takes her nose and flips the pillows off. She can't tolerate having those dag blasted things in the way.

Cleveland use to flip the pillows around until they were "just comfy" and nest like and then settled in for an afternoon.

SheepOfBlue · Nov 12, 2009

Sumac3890 said:
LOL and I could not wait for when they COULD jump on the furniture!!! Does not bother me in the least that they get on the furniture.

Sca is a jumping fool. He crashes a lot but likes to leap and crash into things :uhoh:

I still have the tire box in my living room since he is having fun with it and the toss a toy in for the games to begin. Sometimes he goes in fine and come out fine but the other half of the times :lol:

Even better if it is his singing mouse since that puts a hurry into him.

The chair he jumps up and sits all pretty so it is hard to tell him down but house rules are house rules :no:

Silaria · Nov 12, 2009

RonandJan said:
Cleveland use to flip the pillows around until they were "just comfy" and nest like and then settled in for an afternoon.

Edan does this too. He LOVES pillows and will move them around if they aren't where HE wants them so he can sleep. It's amusing to watch.

mbfrench · Nov 12, 2009

Sumac3890 said:
LOL and I could not wait for when they COULD jump on the furniture!!! Does not bother me in the least that they get on the furniture.

Me either!! Cannot wait till Trapp makes himself comfy.
How old are they before they give it a try? He loves to be up there with us at night watching TV. And also on the bed,but again he cannot jump that high.

I've givin up on the furniture issue.We have slipcovered one living room set,to help keep it at least clean.That is in the smaller living room,that we use all the time.Especially now with winter,as the fireplace is in there.

The other great room,has new furniture,is hardly ever sat on. And Earnhardt does not go beyond the threshold of the entrance. He just does not even try,so I never worry about him being on the furniture there.
I have to literally coax him with a treat,if I happen to be in there watching TV