Anyone with a dog at home knows how hard it is to resist that pleading look when they want to jump on the couch. And when the dog is big — like Thor, my German Shepherd — the challenge gets even greater.
Let’s be honest: he doesn’t just “get on” the couch… he takes over the whole thing.
When Thor was a puppy, I thought it was cute. He’d hop onto the couch, curl up, and I’d let him stay because he was small, sweet, and fit perfectly.
But then he grew. A lot. And suddenly it felt like I had a bear lying in my favorite spot in the living room.
On top of that, he started to act like the couch belonged to him — and that’s when things got tricky.
That was the moment I realized he needed to learn the couch was off-limits.
But teaching a large dog who’s already used to the comfy cushions takes patience and consistency.
The first thing I learned is that scolding at the wrong time only confuses the dog.
There’s no point in getting upset minutes after he’s jumped up. He won’t associate the scolding with the act — and might just think you’re mad for no reason.
The right moment to act is as soon as he tries to get up or the moment he does.
With Thor, every time he put a paw on the couch, I’d say a firm “no” — no yelling — and redirect him to his bed.
At first, he thought it was a game. He’d go to his bed, then come right back.
We played that back-and-forth game for days. But I stayed consistent.
One trick that worked really well was placing Thor’s bed close to the couch.
That way, he could still be near me, but in his own space. I added a blanket he’d had since he was a puppy so it smelled familiar, and put a few of his toys there.
I also started rewarding him every time he chose to lie down in his bed — treats, pets, lots of praise.
Small things that made a big difference.
One day, he was just resting quietly in his bed, and I decided to reward him just for that.
I walked over, gave him a long cuddle, and handed him a treat.
That was the turning point. He finally understood: his bed was a good place to be too.
Of course, he had some relapses — especially when I wasn’t around.
So I started putting a throw blanket or cushions on the couch that made it less appealing.
No soft pillows or cozy covers — the goal was to make the couch less attractive than his own bed.
With time, Thor learned to respect the boundary.
Now he’ll come up, sniff the couch, give me a look, and then calmly lie down in his bed. And honestly? He walks to his bed with such pride that it melts my heart.
Teaching a large dog not to get on the couch isn’t just about keeping your furniture clean (although that’s a bonus!).
It’s about setting boundaries with kindness, consistency, and love.
And most of all, it’s about showing your dog that the rules don’t change how much they’re loved.
Now the couch is mine again — and Thor has his own special spot. And in the end, I think we both won. 🐾