It’s easy to see why dogs love sofas. They’re soft, comfortable and ideal for long snoozes. However, as cute as this might be (and, boy, is it cute!), it can also lead to your furniture being covered in excess hair and mucky paw prints.
If this sounds like something you’re familiar with, don’t worry – there are ways you can keep your sofa fur and muck-free, whilst still making sure your pooch is happy as can be.
Take a look at our expert advice, below, to see how you can keep your dog off the sofa for good.
Firstly, you need to show them who’s boss
If your dog is already well acquainted with the sofa, shifting them to another spot often doesn’t seem like the easiest task. But rest assured, with a little time and patience they’re bound to come around to the idea.
To get your dog used to the rules, you should firstly teach them basic obedience commands, such as “Sit”, “Stay” and “Down” (if you haven’t already, of course). If they don’t listen at first, try and try again – consistency is key when it comes to training a dog.
Once your dog is used to basic commands, move the obedience training to the sofa. Try a simple “Off!” or “Down!” if they are hovering, or look like they’re ready to jump up. If, after this, they still refuse to budge, give them a little nudge to help them on their way.
Don’t forget to find a plan B
Without a sofa to jump on, your dog will likely be searching for an alternative place to crash. To help your pooch get comfy, consider providing them with a soft donut dog bed instead.
If you need to entice them in, kit out the dog bed with their favourite treats, toys, and, if it’s a new bed, add something which holds their scent, such as a dog blanket.
Keep their spot covered up
If you still find your sofa is covered in fluff when you’re not there to enforce the rules, don’t give up – there are plenty of other ways you can train your dog to stay off the sofa.
One of the most effective methods is to block their spot with a laundry basket. This will show your dog that the sofa is out of bounds, and that they should look to curl up elsewhere (such as in their dog basket). If you can’t find a laundry basket, pick up another large household item, such as an empty cardboard box, to send a similar message.
And if all else fails
If obedience training is taking longer than expected and you want to preserve your sofa until your dog has learnt the rules, you should look at buying asofa coverand a pet throw to provide ample protection.
Our sofa covers easily slip onto your sofa’s frame and give it a fresh look, while our pet throws are the ideal accessory for keeping pooch happy. What’s more, they’re easy to clean – all you need to do is take them off your sofa and pop in the washing machine. Simple!
For more information about our sofa covers, fabrics and reupholstery options, take a look at the Plumbs website.
