beagle behaviour issue

[Austinsmom]

Hello! We've been having trouble figuring out how to get Austin to stop sleeping on the couch when we're not home. He NEVER tries to get up there when we're around, and whenever we catch him at it when we get home, we let him know how disappointed we are in him, which makes him, and us, very upset. (Verbal discipline only) He's such a sensitive little guy and we hate getting mad at him. The crazy thing is that when he sleeps on the couch he doesn't get into anything else that he's not supposed to. Is he just missing us? Do we need to find him something more to do? We already walk him a lot- he sometimes doesn't even want to go for his am walk!

When we adopted him, we were expecting to have to deal with the aggression issues he had with his former owner, but this is new.....

[saffron's human]

Have you tried flipping the couch cushions up on end so he can not get comfy?

Personally, if the couch is keeping him happy when you are out, and not destructive in anyway,and he is not doing this when you are home..I perhaps, would pretend I don't know he is getting up there and let it be a little guilty pleasure for him.

[Austinsmom]

This is a leather couch without movable cushions.... I think anything I could do to make it "uncomfy" would likely damage the couch.

If it weren't for the fact that I come in the door and see him looking at me, I might just pretend that I didn't see it, but at this point I'm not sure what that would do- When we got him, he had some significant dominance aggression issues, and I don't want him to start thinking he rules the roost again.

[Robyn&Rosie]

Put him in a crate?
Or change the room he stays in?
Have you got a conservatory?
The sofa really comfy for him

no other suggestions

[brandypup]

^^yep the only way to keep him off when your not there is to crate him or put him in a nother room.

Honestly when your not there and he is behaving I wouldn't worry much about it. there is no one there to 'be dominate over' except himself. He isn't doing it to be dom, he is probably doing it becuase he 1-isn't supposed to 2 it's comfy.

I think the NILFF program is a good one becuase it helps the owner teach manners to the dog. Not so much becuase of domiance threroy.

Does he have his own dog bed? How does he react when you come home?

Scroll down to 'gets on furniture"
Dominance Myths and Dog Training Realities

[Austinsmom]

Well, we had some improvement today- I added a couple of pillows to his dog bed to make it more comfortable, and while there are paw prints on the couch, it doesn't look like he stayed there long- I think this one'll slide!

[MoBeagle]

I have evena tougher couch issue... and unfortunately I think it's my fault and a daunting training issue. My Mo IS allowed on the couch... but he's not allowed to chew toys/bones when on the couch. He just doesn't seem to understand and make the connection between couch OK with no toy... not OK with toy. My guess is I'm asking too much of him to make that connection. Any thoughts?

[brandypup]

Mo- teach OFF.
Invite him onthe couch. Then say Off and tap the floor or point to the floor. reward when he gets off.

When he gets ontheir with his toys just tell him off. If he takes the toy with him great if not toss it ont he floor with him or in his own bed.

[MoBeagle]

I've tried the treat reinforcement and we use the command off. If I toss the toy, he takes it for playing fetch and brings it right back up on the couch to give me. I'll keep trying, but I think I made my own bed by wanting him on the couch with me.

[brandypup]

Trust me, it's frustrating to have to repeat and repeat and repeat but that is how the dog will learn. Do it everytime and keep consistant one day it will happen.

It took me almost 9 years to teach my last dog not to jump. Do you know how happy I was the first time she didn't jump!