Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Bella is a little more than a 1.5 years old and when we first got her she was eager to jump on our couches, which we did not want her to do and it was a struggle, but we got her out of that habit with positive reinforcement. About a month ago she started jumping on them again and now we cannot get her to stop. We have tried everything - positive reinforcement when she comes off, stern displeasure when she is on them, distracting her with toys and treats, etc. but she continues to jump on our couches. What can we do to get her out of this habit again?!?! Thanks.

Have you taught her the command "off?" This sounds like your dog is chaining the behavior a bit and you've now got a bit of a game going. She jumps on, gets a reaction from you (even if it's negative), she gets off, and then gets rewarded.

Teach the "off" command away from the couch and use a step or a mat on the floor. May want to teach her it's ok to "go to" the mat and the lure her "off" the mat. Get a few repetiions and incrase distance, etc. Once she knows "off" means get up and move off what she's on, you can transfer it to the couch when she gets on it. Don't scold, yell, do anything when she jumps on, praise lavishly for her following the "off" command by getting off. She still may dog the "game" every so often because it's fun to be on furnature, but if you are consistent, she'll stop goign up there in the first place.

PS- if it's in front of a window to look out of, you may want to move it for a while. It's very fun to watch out a window and survey the area.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Drs. Foster & Smith, have numerous things you can check out on their website, such as the scat mat, I know of people who have used them, and said they work.

Has anyone used this before? If so, how did the dog react? Is it harmful in any way?

Thanks.

Like I said in my other post, I've known people who have used them, and they worked for them, but if you have concerns I would call your vet, and ask if they know anyone who has had experience with them. They may also be able to give you other suggestions. Good Luck!

>>Has anyone used this before? If so, how did the dog react? Is it harmful in any way?
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>>Thanks.

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Anything can cause strange behavioral side effects, but a Scat Mat is one of the least risky uses of shock with dogs. That's because it is so black-and-white, the dog can see where it is and avoid it. I wouldn't expect any positive results from it, and it is possible the dog could become aggressive or fearful about a person, place or thing that was there/happening at the moment the dog got shocked.

A portable exercise pen or baby gate--stack another above, if one is not tall enough to keep the dog out of the area--would be my choice to keep a dog out of a room and thus off the furniture in that room when I'm not there. Or I'd put a cover over the furniture and let the dog be on it when it's covered.

But if you don't want the dog on the furniture, that rule has to be 100% of the time and enforced humanely by everyone in the house. Best not to touch a dog at all when removing from furniture, because that can trigger a defensive response and you can wind up "fighting" with your dog. The dog needs a comfortable bed near the furniture, and that bed needs to be what that specific dog needs in terms of warm or cool. I would expect a Siberian Huskie to need a cool surface for resting.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47