On or off the couch?

[Sandy]

In the last day, Toby has figured out he is big enough to get on the couch. He did it once yesterday, while my son and his girlfriend were sitting there. They shooed him down. Then this morning, it was dark, and I couldn't find the dog. Looked around....saw a dark blob on the couch. Upon further inspection I discovered it was Toby, quite happily curled up on the couch!

Now - I know different dog trainers say to maintain the proper order of things, no dogs on the furniture. And I am aware that sometimes I might have people over who wouldn't appreciate a dog on the couch. But...he looked really cute and comfy up there! :) So the question of the day is....doodles on or off the couch?

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Samantha is allowing on our bed and the sofas - BUT only when invited. If she comes up without getting permission, she is taken off. When she sits quietly she is then invited up. Took a few tries but she does get it.
Saturday night, I was just on the awake side of consciousness - DH sleeping. She came next to my ear and gave me the quietest 'wwwoooofff' - asking for permission to come up. She gets it!

[Sandy]

I do have the couch covered, just in case he jumped up, which he has now done. It is not a new couch by any means, but still in decent shape. Hmmm....he looked really cute up there......

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

We have our couch covered as well, and they also have to ask. They do, if we are round but if your not they help them selves.
If I did it again, I would not let them up.
Jordan does not mind being told off, she will go to her bed and sleep. Payton acts entitled to the couch.He thinks it IS his bed.

[Chris & Boys]

Absolutely on the couch! There is nothing better than cuddling on the couch with the family on movie night! My GR is 14 and can no longer jump up on the couch, and we really miss it. My furniture is leather, so a quick wipe with a damp cloth, and all is good. Our pup, Fozzy Bear, has been allowed on the couch since we picked him up last week. But with his sharp little claws, we do put a blanket under him.

[Chris & Boys]

The only scratch I got was when Fozzy was trying to get up on the couch and couldn't quite reach. My GR never put a scratch on the leather.

[Chris & Boys]

Me too - yuck!

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We're an on the couch vote too. We cannot really enforce the "by invitation only" rule because ours have run of the house when we're at work and I know they spend the day sleeping on the couch :) I wish I started out covering it because it is a little dingy...oh well, next couch we get will definitely be covered.

We do work on "off" when we don't want them up. I appreciate the idea that dogs on furniture can affect order, but I just think doodles are different somehow. I swear they just enjoy the comfort and it's not a matter of pecking order for them :)

[Adina P]

It's personal preference.

For us, except for the rare exception (my profile photo for one!), NO dogs are allowed on the couch.
My reasons include:
--sometimes they step in poop and I don't want it on my couch!
--sometimes they have stinky butts and dingleberries - I don't want that rubbing on where I put my head to nap!
--sometimes they are muddy
--I don't want guests clobbered since many of my friends aren't crazy dog people like me =)
--I want them to know my couch is mine

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

I personally made a decision when I adopted Blake that I would relinquish my anal retentive cleanliness obsession in favor of the comfort and love of a wonderful dog.....You simply can't expect to have a perfectly clean house and perfect furniture when you share your living space with a dog.....No way!....lol.....I'm in favor of "on the couch".....screw Cesar Milan and what he thinks!......Besides doodles aren't really dogs anyway....They are little people in furry suits....tee hee hee...I'd rather have a not so clean home and furniture and enjoy snuggling with my little man....

[Sandy]

Oh my yes - the housekeeping skills have gone way down hill. I spend more time playing with and walking Toby than cleaning by a long shot. My house used to be tidy and clean....and then I got a doodle. :)

[Adina P]

Believe me! My house is usually 'not-so-clean' and very untidy....LOL

[Mary Beth Sancomb-Moran]

Our three dogs are pretty much convinced the couches are their furniture. Casey, especially, has claimed the loveseat as his domain. He lets me sit with him. ; )