Hi everyone, We got a lab pup a few weeks ago. He's adorable (and a handful). He's now big enough to jump up on our couch. We have a no-furniture rule for now (he nips a lot and chews stuff). I haven't managed to sit on the couch for more than a minute the last couple of days, and I feel a little loopy. Unfortunately, I think I've been reinforcing his behaviour by teaching him the "off" command. He jumps on the couch, I say "off", he jumps off, I click and treat. And then he's right back up a few seconds later. Gets treated again for following the "off" command. I feel like I need ways to avoid him getting on the couch in the first place. He is not into toys, just all things food-related. He has learned the "place" command, but can't stay in his place for long, given his age. What's worked for folks who want to keep chewy pups off their furniture? Thank you! Nina
I have the same issue with my Sophie who is 10 weeks old, but she's not yet tall enough to actually get on the couch. But she is pawing and trying to climb up. When I sit, she can't just some sit in front of me, she tries to claw and climb. I'm doing the EXACT same thing you are with the "down" command and click/reward when she puts 4 paws on the floor..I also click and reward when she thinks about jumping but doesn't end up doing it....and then I wondered...will she jump more because she knows if she gets an off command she gets a treat? Training is so hard when you are new - I'm always unsure if I'm reinforcing the right behavior!
You are correct. You have probably trained a chain of behaviours that you realise is undesirable. To get the treat for jumping down, he has to first get up there! What you have to do is avoid an undesirable repetition/routine. So, when he jumps down, you would ask him to sit when down off the couch. Then say your marker word and give the treat for sitting. Next time, cue him to stand. Gets a treat if he stands still for even a split second. Next time, lure him into a down/drop. And the next time mat. He gets the treat for following your cue when he is not on the couch. And you keep mixing up things in order to avoid a pattern. Since you will probably run out of things to cue him to do, then you need to prevent him from getting up in the first place. Cover the couch with upturned laundry baskets is one way. Push one aside when you want to sit down on the couch. Give him things to do off the couch. A Toppl with semi-frozen minced meat on his mat.
Our puppy is now 6 months and between about 12-15 weeks had excited moments in the evening when amongst other things he used to leap onto our sofas when we had a strict no sofa and downstairs only rule. We just used to prevent him or if too slow remove him and say a clear no and distract him with toys. Keep going and stay firm but fair and your puppy like ours will change his behaviour.
