Dog trainer Shannon Viljasoo has shared an answer to the commonly asked question of whether or not we should allow our dogs onto the furniture – and it all depends on the dog
A dog trainer has shed light on the age-old debate of whether or not to allow your furry friend on the sofa. Many pet owners relish a snuggle on the settee with their dogs, but it can pose certain risks, particularly during the training phase.
Luckily, dog trainer Shannon Viljasoo, from McCann Dogs, has offered some clarity on this frequently asked question, explaining exactly what dog owners should do in such situations.
Shannon Viljasoo penned: “In reality, whether you allow your dog up on furniture should depend on their current level of understanding when it comes to the rules of the household and your own personal desires.” In other news, ‘least expensive’ dog breed to keep lives longer than other pets.
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She added: “No two dogs should have the same rules. Rather, each dog should be assessed individually and rules be applied based on the needs of that relationship.”
Shannon broke down the situation into two categories: an average, well-behaved dog and a young dog in training. She added: “If you have a well-mannered dog with no behaviour problems and you’re happy with their level of obedience training, there’s really no reason not to allow them on your furniture.”
Your decision can then hinge on whether or not you mind any potential mess that could be left on your sofa. However, such privileges should be “revoked immediately” if you ask your dog to move and they show any reluctance or aggression.
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For those who have dogs that are not a “perfectly obedient family member yet”, it is recommended to set boundaries that will help them to look to you for information and guidance, reports the Express.
Shannon suggests allowing your pooch on the sofa on an invitation-only basis. She added: “I always insist on invitation only in my house. That stemmed from a need to manage a multi-dog household. In order to ensure my dogs don’t compete with one-another for positions of status, they are only allowed on the furniture by invite.”
Ultimately, the choice of whether or not you want to allow your dog on the sofa is up to you; you should just ensure that it is done in the right circumstances. Nonetheless, with some time and patience, dogs will understand how to behave without causing any mess.