Do you want your Goldendoodle companion to sit on the couch with you while you’re watching your favorite program? Are you willing to let her share your bed? It’s entirely up to you. There is no right or wrong choice. Whether to let your goldendoodle on the furniture is a matter of personal preference.
Some people enjoy it. Other people prefer not to let the dog onto the furniture, and that’s okay. Whichever way you prefer, you can train your Goldendoodle to respect your house rules — you just need to be consistent.
Because its comfortable and next to you
First you need to understand why your Goldendoodle will want to be on the furniture next to you. The answer is simple. Why do you want to sit on the cushioned couch to relax after a long day? It’s relaxing and feels good. Your Goldendoodle feels the same way.
Your Goldendoodle also wants your love and attention. Once you bring her home, she is part of your pack. You and your whole family are now her packmates. When you all gather in the living room for a movie or visiting, your Goldendoodle is going to want to be right there in the thick of things.
Make sure your solution takes her motivation into account, and you’re more likely to succeed.
A place of her own — on the furniture?
Everyone has their favorite chair. Maybe it’s the rugged old recliner that only you like, or it could be the left end of the couch where the cushion molds to your leg while you host your monthly book club. If you have your own place, shouldn’t your Goldendoodle? Especially, if you don’t want her to be getting up on the furniture.
Your Goldendoodle puppy is going to be sleeping more hours than even you on a lazy Saturday. This is your companion, and you and your family are her pack. She should have a place to call her own.
She might want that place to be your lap or the other side of the sofa. If you’re okay with that, fine. If you don’t agree, though, it’s essential that you give your pooch a bed she’ll like almost as much. She’ll appreciate having it in the room where you spend most of your time.
To ensure that your companion has the proper bed for a good, rejuvenating sleep, there are a couple of things to look for. Make sure you get a bed that is big enough for your Goldendoodle to lie down in a natural position. You want to have a sturdy bed—if your dog chews, you don’t want pieces that can break off and be swallowed, leading to a big emergency vet bill. You can choose from a thick pad to a cushy, memory foam bed. It’s up to you.
Consistency is key
If you don’t want your Goldendoodle getting up on your furniture and have provided her own place, you still need to be consistent. When she tries to get up on the sofa beside you, tell her no and take her to her place/bed. When you set her down on her bed, say “Place” or “Bed” so she knows that this is her own spot. And give her a little piece of kibble or snack to reinforce it.
If you give her a treat each time you tell her to go to her “place” or “bed,” she will soon be going there with just the voice command.