Dog and couch

Just curious how many dog owners let their dogs lay and sleep on the couch? Or is this more of a big no-no?

We just adopted a dog who is around 4 years old and she is SO much happier and calmer now that we have allowed her to sleep on the couch. Previously she was following everyone around and didnt know what to do with herself........now she sleeps alot!! LOL But I wonder when we have people over will we appear like slackers in training or is this the norm?

Re: Dog and couch

I think most people allow their dogs on the couch, but it also depends on whether or not the dog sheds, people have allergies, etc.

Nobody will think that when they come over, but if the dog hair is all over, people may feel uncomfortable sitting on a couch covered in dog hair.

Re: Dog and couch

We let our dog on the couch. I'm not sure if it was the best idea because she is constantly shedding and has wirey lab hair which gets stuck in there so I have to vacuum the couch twice a day.

Dog and couch

My dog is allowed on the couch and sleeps in our bed with us. DH swore he would never allow this but here we are.

Dog and couch

Our dog is allowed on the couch. He sheds a ton but I couldn't imagine not allowing him on.

Re: Dog and couch

Our dog has always been allowed on the couch and when we needed new couches we got leather so the hair wouldn't stick to it

Dog and couch

Our dog is allowed on the couch and bed.

Re: Dog and couch

It's up to you,depends on the dog, what type of couch you have. Ihave nonshedding dogs so for me I have no problem with them sleeping on the couch. I do keep washable light fleece blankets that they like to lay on, on the couch, so the dirt and oil from their coats does not ruin my couch. You would be surprised how much oil comes off of a dog's fur. So I just throw the fleece blankets in the wash once a week, and it keeps my couch looking new.

Re: Dog and couch

I couldn't NOT let my dogs on the couch. We had gotten a new couch so we were trying to keep them off of it at first and they were pretty good about it, but I just felt so guilty. We have hardwood floors and they have beds, but in the bedroom, not the living room. Plus they are cuddlers in the extreme! I love curling up on my couch with a book and my dog's head in my lap.

ETA: We did decide to get a couch with slip covers though so we can take them off and run them through the wash whenever necessary.

Message edited 12/26/2012 8:37:26 AM.

Dog and couch

Our dogs are allowed on the couch.... we have leather couches, so they're very easy to clean!

Dog and couch

Our dog was not allowed on the couch. Then one day I made a deal with him....if he would be a good boy and not drive mommy crazy then he could go on the couch. He has been the best dog ever since.

I just vaccum a lot and wash the cushions.

Re: Dog and couch

Thanks for the responses! Glad to see we are in the norm with allowing Lucy on the couch and she is much happier. She is a low shed dog so hair isn't an issue.. Just dog smell especially after she comes in from the rain :( LOL..

Dog and couch

we let maggie on the couch. even though she doesn't shed, I couldn't stand the dog smell on my microfiber couch so we got leather instead.

Dog and couch

Our dog is not allowed on the couch or bed or even in our bedroom in fact. We love him to death but he always has that dog smell no matter often we bathe him and he does shed. He is only allowed in rooms that have wooden floors. He goes on the couch only if he is laying on one of us. So his solution is he drags his bed around to whatever room he feels like hanging out in.

Re: Dog and couch

We didn't at first, more so because we wanted to make sure that our 2nd dog knew her place and that she was not on the same level power-wise as we are.

But we relented after a while. Our couch is leather so it's much easier to clean and more durable. We do lay down a throw blanket for the spot she likes too, and take it off when there's company.

Dog and couch

I have a cushion on the floor for the dog which he uses, he's also allowed on the couch but generally he gets too hot and wants to sleep under the window.

Re: Dog and couch

our dog is allowed on the couch (he is small and doesn't shed). We still always make sure to vaccuum the couches alot. Most of the time he is on a blanket on the couch.

Re: Dog and couch

My dog is allowed, he also does not shed.

Re: Dog and couch

My lab is not allowed on the couch or the bed. She steps in her own pee (and other dogs' pee), among other things...and she sheds like crazy. She has a very comfortable doggie bed right next to the couch that she loves, as well as a few other choice spots around the house. She has never even challenged us on this...she just knows her place. If she tried sleeping with us there would be no room! She sleep in, and absolutely loves, her crate since she was a puppy (now with the door open)

Re: Dog and couch

I dont allow my pets on the bed or couches.

I buy them nice doggy beds from foster&smith, one in the bedroom and one in the livingroom.


ofcourse, they sit on both when im not home, evidenced by the drool from them licking themselves on the couches.

Dog and couch

We let both of our dogs on the couch. Our mini schnauzer prefers it to his bed, the airedale will come up for a few minutes but he prefers his bed or his crate.

Re: Dog and couch

We do.
When we adopted our dog Pepper about 4-5 yrs ago, whoever had him before must have trained him not to jump on the couch. He would lay at our feet and would never attempt it. We broke him of that habit.
Although there are still times he will sit and stare at us until we call him up.

Message edited 12/30/2012 11:12:21 PM.

Re: Dog and couch