Dogs and Couches

[StitchesGr8Fan]

Hubby and I are having a debate over letting our puppy on the couch. He says yes, I say no. I feel like it grosses out guests when they come over. Opinions?

 

[Kimberlyann11]

I voted yes although I lost my dog a few years ago. A lot of it might have to do with your type of dog though.

 

[Elle23]

I don’t like my dog on the couch because she has a tendency to scratch it as she circles 500 times before she lays down. Otherwise I wouldn’t care.

I don’t know what is gross about it.
But then again, I’m one of those “pets are family” type people.

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

It doesn’t gross me out. But I’m very sensitive to guests who may not like dogs. And this is a GSD who is going to be between 80-100 lbs fully grown.

 

[kiddo76]

No, he let's me sit on his couch.

 

[Meriweather]

Pets are family, but I never let them on the furniture or counters.

 

[mom2rtk]

No, he let's me sit on his couch.

 

[martikus]

Our dog is allowed on furniture. It seems mean to me to not allow it. He’s one of the family. I will vacuum couch before company but they don’t like it they don’t have to visit

 

[ZephyrHawk]

My friends don't care about the dog on the couch, but a significant portion of them are cat-allergic. Just try and keep them off of a couch! It ain't happening.

I actually keep my extra bedroom constantly closed so that the cats can't fur it up, just in case my friends need to spend the night.

 

[MomOfDisneyPrincess]

I only have one dog at a time and prefer small poodles, since they don't shed. I do not allow animals on the furniture because anything they lie on eventually smells like dog and I don't want my furniture to smell like dog. I do call my dog up on my lap to snuggle, especially in the winter when he makes a nice lap warmer. They are also not allowed in beds.

 

[Tattylou]

I only have cats now and they go wherever they please. I clicked Yes bc when I was growing up we had a dog and he was allowed on the couch, the bed, etc.

 

[ronandannette]

As a non-pet-loving "guest", yes, I find it nasty to come away from a visit with dog hair all over my clothes. That said, when I'm invited to a home with pets I expect it and I don't find it strange or rude for people to let their pets on their own furniture at all.

 

[tcufrog]

I do but we have a Goldendoodle who doesn't shed.

 

[Sleepy425]

My reason for saying no is different than everyone else's. So many dog bites happen because a kid approaches a dog sleeping on a couch, or the dog deems the couch their territory and will snap at a child if they approach. My first dog was a pushover and I had no worries about him around kids, but I still didn't let him on the couches. My current dog had resource guarding issues when I adopted him, so setting boundaries was really important.
That said, when I'm not home I know full well my dog lays on the couch. I can hear him jump off when I open the door.

 

[quandrea]

I voted no. In terms of training a puppy, it’s best if you can make it very clear that you are the alpha dog in her pack. Letting the dog sit on the couch literally raises her place in the pack. The couch is for you, the alpha. Her place is close by, on the floor. These small things shift the power balance and you may get a dog that thinks she can try and be the alpha. Makes for a dog that does not obey and takes liberties in other areas.

 

[Calee]

My dog is welcome everywhere.

 

[RedAngie]

When I had a dog I wouldn't let her on the sofas and beds. I don't doubt she sneaked onto them when I wasn't home.

Currently my cat has free reign to do whatever she wants.

 

[Searc]

No dogs on the furniture or bed.

 

[kimblebee]

Pets are family, but I never let them on the furniture or counters.

Are there really people who let dogs on counters? It’s gross enough with cats, but dogs??

As a non-pet-loving "guest", yes, I find it nasty to come away from a visit with dog hair all over my clothes. That said, when I'm invited to a home with pets I expect it and I don't find it strange or rude for people to let their pets on their own furniture at all.

I KNOW! It’s so gross to see people covered in animal fur and then be like awwww, Muffy loves me so much she came to work with me

If there was an other option, that’s what I would have chosen. We have two couches in our front room, the old beat up one, yes, the dog is allowed on it. It’s microfibre so his nails can’t really rip it. I don’t allow him on the nice couch because I’m scared his nails would rip the material. He doesn’t shed so that’s not a worry.

 

[CookieandOatmeal]

My golden is allowed on the couch, the armchair, and the bed. We actually beg her to come up to snuggle with us and half the time, she's like no thanks...you guys are way clingy lol. People who come over know to expect to sit next to my dog.