Our 5-year old dog has started to get on the furniture

[EmilyZA]

Our 5-year old Lab has started to get on the furniture (he's not allowed on the furniture) when we're at work, and sometimes overnight (when we're sleeping.)

He has done this before and we've been able to stop it easily, just by telling him no, and mostly just putting stuff on the couch so he can't jump on, then he eventually gets the picture. This time around though, nothing seems to be working, and it's been going on for about a month now.

Help!

[ManteoChik]

hmm, no help here...our two year old lab is allowed on the furniture (we're suckers for her cute face :D ).

Not sure what you could do about that, is your furniture cloth or leather?

[Rico'sAlice]

I'd seriously consider going to the vet. For this to start now, it may indicate he is finding the floor painful due to joint pain, arthritis, etc.

What does he have to lie on that is his currently? Maybe he needs one of those raised doggie beds with a mattress. I'd go to the vet first to rule out/diagnose a medical problem, and then look into finding a type of bed he likes.

The other reason a dog would suddenly start being on furniture is to assert dominance- raise his status within the pack. Has anything changed in household composition that he would feel the need to do this?

[EmilyZA]

I'd seriously consider going to the vet. For this to start now, it may indicate he is finding the floor painful due to joint pain, arthritis, etc.

What does he have to lie on that is his currently? Maybe he needs one of those raised doggie beds with a mattress. I'd go to the vet first to rule out/diagnose a medical problem, and then look into finding a type of bed he likes.

The other reason a dog would suddenly start being on furniture is to assert dominance- raise his status within the pack. Has anything changed in household composition that he would feel the need to do this?
He does have a dog bed, one of the LL Bean ones... it's pretty comfy (I lay on it sometimes with him!)

We did recently move, and I'm wondering if that has anything to do with it. We lived upstairs from my parents, and there he was allowed to get away with murder-- yes, they let him on the furniture-- and he knew that he wasn't allowed on the furniture in our apartment (there is no telling my parents what they could or could not allow my dog to do, no matter what I said or did.) I know that this sends a confusing message to the dog, but it was never an issue with us before.

[jesvet]

There are motion alarms/"scat mats" that make noise, or even deliver a teeny tiny electric tingle (I probably wouldn't start with that). You could try going low tech and sticking big piece of tinfoil on the couch to make it less comfy.

[MidwesternGal]

My dog used to be allowed on the couch. Well, now we're pregnant, and I wanted to get her off it (she's 2 and spoiled rotten!). She got the picture pretty fast, actually, it only took about 2 weeks. Now, she still "asks" to get on the couch (by whining or putting her paws on it), but we tell her no.

We still allow her on the bed. Eventually, that will probably change too, but we wanted to slowly get her used to one piece of furniture at a time. (Didn't want to overload her!).

I agree with the joint pain idea. It's very possible, especially since you have a large breed dog.

A thought that just occured to me relates to your moving. If you recently moved, your dog may be feeling some anxiety at your absence and in a new place by himself. He wants to be near your scent while you are gone. We lived in an apartment for almost 2 years and had our pup kenneled. Never had a problem with her breaking out, etc. Moved out to a house in the country and the 1st weekend we were gone for more than a couple hours (usually she's pretty good for about 6-8), she tipped over the kennel and somehow unlocked it, caved the sides in, etc. Definitely a sign of seperation anxiety in a new place!!

Another idea is to try to work on one piece of furniture at a time. Get him off the couch, then the bed, etc.

Finally, even though your doggie has his own bed, maybe he is cold? My pup gets super cold, even though she has a comfy sherpa covered bed with covered sides. Perhaps putting some extra blankets on the bed, or covering your pup up is a good idea.

[EmilyZA]

A thought that just occured to me relates to your moving. If you recently moved, your dog may be feeling some anxiety at your absence and in a new place by himself. He wants to be near your scent while you are gone. We lived in an apartment for almost 2 years and had our pup kenneled. Never had a problem with her breaking out, etc. Moved out to a house in the country and the 1st weekend we were gone for more than a couple hours (usually she's pretty good for about 6-8), she tipped over the kennel and somehow unlocked it, caved the sides in, etc. Definitely a sign of seperation anxiety in a new place!!

Finally, even though your doggie has his own bed, maybe he is cold? My pup gets super cold, even though she has a comfy sherpa covered bed with covered sides. Perhaps putting some extra blankets on the bed, or covering your pup up is a good idea.

It's interesting what you said about moving and looking for our scent... I hadn't thought about that. It didn't happen until about 2 months after we moved though, so guess I just didn't really think to correlate the two.

We thought it might be that he was cold, but it's been pretty warm here for the most part, still. We moved his bed away from the corner (near a window) and we turned the heat on, but it didn't help.

BTW, he didn't get on the couch today, my husband removed the cushions. I'd still like to heal whatever the issue is.

I think I'll call the vet tomorrow to rule out joint pain, if any... I really hope that's not it.