How To STOP JUMPING on The Couch, by Ethan McMahon Dog Training on YouTube. 1 min 35 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 35 s
- Time to do it
- 10 minutes a day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Put a bed or mat on the floor beside the couch. This gives your dog an obvious spot to go to instead of the cushions.
Start when your dog is calm, not in a wild mood. Stand near the couch and wait quietly for your dog to make a choice.
The moment all four paws are on the floor, say yes and drop a treat on the mat. Reward the dog for being down, not for backing off halfway.
If your dog jumps up, stay silent. Do not push, shout or grab. Pushing can feel like a game and makes jumping more fun.
Lure your dog off with a treat held low, or gently take the collar and guide it down. Then reward the moment the paws touch the floor.
Reward again when your dog backs away from the couch on its own. That step back is exactly the behaviour you want to build.
Keep sessions to two or three minutes and repeat them a few times a day. Short, frequent practice beats one long session.
Once your dog goes to the mat reliably, add a cue word like place or off. Say it once, then reward when the dog does it.
Close the door or use a baby gate when you cannot watch your dog. Every unsupervised jump on the couch undoes part of the training.
Practice before guests sit down. Ask your dog to go to the mat first, then reward, so visitors never reward jumping by petting.
Tips and common mistakes
Never pet or comfort your dog while it is on the couch, since that rewards the jump.
Keep treats pea-sized so you can reward often without overfeeding.
Everyone in the house needs the same rule, or the dog will learn which person allows jumping.
Build up slowly. Reward every few seconds at first, then wait longer between treats.
Questions
Why does my dog keep jumping on the couch?
Jumping usually gets a payoff, like comfort, attention or being near you. Once the couch stops paying off and the floor does, the jumping fades.
Should I shout or push my dog off?
No. Shouting and pushing often turn into a game and give the dog attention anyway. Silent, calm redirection to the mat works better.
How long does this take?
Many dogs show progress in a week or two of daily short sessions. Puppies and dogs that have practised jumping for years take longer.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
