Dog owners, I have a predicament..

rbn_held

We have 3 black labs but they are like our kids and sleep anywhere they want. I do however have to vacuum at least every other day. I do remember my aunt used to put empty clothes baskets upside down on her couch to keep her dogs off of it. Seemed to work pretty well.

10KEyes

Relax, enjoy the unconditional love, brush the dog regularly and use baby gates to keep him out of the areas you don't want him in. As for the couch, I don't know what to tell you. We have leather couches so they are easily cleaned. We have two dogs, a Scottie and Pom-Chi. They are smaller dogs and we allow them on the couches.

Roadie2000

This is how you tire out a dog. Buy a pair of rollerblades, and have him pull you around. It is great fun.

I approve this message, it can be dangerous though depending on how they are on a leash.

TheDoctor90

If you're back to let him out at lunch time just crate him.

JustJennie1

How old is the dog?

I understand that he's used to laying on the couch and sleeping with your boyfriend but you need to give him a firm "NO!" when he tries to jump up on there and make sure your boyfriend is on the same page with it so he doesn't get mixed signals. Also I agree that crating him isn't a bad thing if you're going home to let him out on your lunch.

As far as the dog hair and mess goes, you get used to it. We just acquired a dog after almost 10 years of not having one. I was used to the nice, neat house. No dirt or grit under my feet. No dust bunnies the size of a small truck that could whisk me away and now I just run the vacuum a couple of times a week. No big deal. He's a dog. He sheds. Nothing I can do about it.

Good luck!!

ampa916

Baby Gates work great!

No, he won't get worn out, he will love you for it!!

This, Dogs seem a lot like kids, you will be amazed at how much you try to wear him out, but how much energy he has in store! You'll probably wear out a lot sooner than he does! And yeah I would do the baby gate thing, I used to have a German Shepherd/beagle mix, she kept digging in the trash and when we moved she started using the bathroom in the house again. So we bought an oversized cage to put her in when we werent home but when we were we always kept it open so she could see it wasn't a punishment, after a while we stopped using it because she started to get used to the change etc, but we never moved the cage and she would just lay in there whenever she wanted her "alone" time lol.

PanteraGirl

Oh I know how you feel......I inherited two big dogs when I met my SO. LOL I have now had them for 4 years and I have a baby gate at the bottom of my stairs to prevent them from going upstairs. And they also love the couches so I normally leave something on the couches to prevent them from jumping up. The guitars for guitar hero or something like that.

You could also look into getting couch covers if you don't want to leave things of the couch.

You could also try your boyfriend suggestion of confining the dogs in the mud room/laundry room. But if you do that. Make sure there is nothing for him to chew as he may get bored and anxious with the new confined area.

At the end of the day.....he's a dog....he can be trained and he will get used to it. He doesn't need to roam the entire house.

Good luck! It is a big adjustment. I would also make sure that your boyfriend is regulatory combing the dog to get rid of his winter coat and there will be less shedding to deal with.

roodledoodle

Definitely invest in a baby gate! At least you know he's not up on the furniture whiel you're out. Furminator brushes are excellent for brushing dogs - I have 4 huskies and 1 black lab and wouldn't be without 1!

Also if you walk him it might not completely exhaust him but it will definitely settle him down - an unexercised dog can become distructive because of pent up energy! Also in addition to this walking him will be great for your fitness and you never know with enough time spent with him and doing stuff you might just start liking him

Firefighter_Jay

Confinement????? Really? That's a living creature. Jesus ****ing Christ.

A tired puppy is a happy puppy. We have a 150 lbs Rottie that we share our home with. Between my wife and I he spends about 4 hours a day, if not more being walked, swimming, or running off lead until he crashes out. (that is in the summer anyway) in the winter, it's not nearly that much, but we suffer through the stir craziness because it's our own fault for not taking him out.

rml_16

If he stays off when you're home, then I see no problem with, when you're out, confining him somewhere. I think that's a very good idea.

And, yes, a long walk will wear him out. That's a good thing!

jodycoady

A couple of days of driving him off the couch, and your b/f on the same page, the dog will obey...But I'm afraid for your relationship. This guy is not gonna give up his beloved dog. Hope everything works out though!

odusgolp

Wait... Does anyone know the details of this oil in the food that reduces shedding??

I'd do anything to control the fur rolling through my home like tumbleweed.

MollyDukes

I didn't read all the post but like most said, baby gates work wonders and we also flip the cushions on the couch when we aren't home. If you cant flip the cushions, I suggest a stool, chair or anything to lay across the couch. Its a minor inconvience considering I just paid to have my couches fixed from my 100LBS dog sleeping :ohwell:
Shaving a dog will not stop it from shedding.....the hair will just be smaller:ohwell:

lorim77

I have a St Bernard. I have her shaved in the Spring/Summer. I know that her "coat is her air-conditioning".. but we have AC in the house so I don't let that bother me. I also agree with the furminator suggestion. That thing gets out an amazing amount of hair!
As far as the furniture thing, I have this little box that I put on the couch. If the dog gets up, it beeps at her so she gets down. Eventually she gets the point and stays off the couch. My grandma always put newspapers on the furniture when she left the house to keep the dog off. Seemed to work for her. Good luck!

Roadie2000

You don't need to confine him to a room just to keep him off the couch. He probably just wants someplace soft to lay. My dog only jumps on beds and couches up north where there is all hardwood floors and he has nowhere else to lay.

And I also say invest in a Furminator.

sarahmaryfearnley

We have 2 large breed dogs. We take a brisk 45-60min walk in the mornings and they sleep the rest of the day

We recently got new furniture and Hubby does not want them on it. We use mouse traps to deter them. We used them when our doberman was a puppy and counter theif. They work great! We don't even set them anymore, just place them out. Our lab/dane mix immediately heads for the other room when we open the drawer where they are kept.

meerkat70

Ours are behind a gate for the day when I'm out. Stops them from barking at the front door, and chewing stuff too. We crate trained our dogs when they were young, but that's just for night time. They can go in there during the day if they choose to, but no way would I lock them in such a confined space all day long. I don't see how anyone can suggest it's anything but cruel. (And if I had any doubts about that, listening to my neighbours slowly drive a dog completely insane by crating it all day long would have convinced me - the poor dog used to howl and rattle those bars *all day*.)

Make sure he has plenty to occupy him when you're not there - lots of chews and toys will keep him happy.

Consider maybe getting some washable throws if your partner does like an occasional cuddle on the couch with his dog?

marycmeadows

I have not had this issue as I am an animal lover and always have been - I am executive assistant for a dog walking company. It is not uncommon to keep a dog baby gated in a specific area of the house..... This of course is better than crating if he can be trusted not to get into trouble. If you don't want to do this, you can also put a sheet/blanket on your furniture where he lays during the day so the hair doesn't get everywhere. Being an animal lover I've just accepted that there will be pet hair on stuff (we have a dog and two cats) ..... Chances are he is laying on the couch partially because it smells like you and your boyfriend and that is comforting to him. If you baby gate him in the kitchen or something, you should maybe leave a blanket or towel that smells like you or your boyfriend so he'll have something to cozy up on.

AND Yes, running or walking him for long periods of time will help tire him out and expend some of his energy.

carrieo888

I'm putting on my Cesar Milan (Dog Whisperer) hat now. Dogs, like kids, MUST have boundaries. Dog needs to know that you are the alpha ***** (in our house that's with a capital A and capital B!) and needs to respect your stuff. Claim your space, so it knows where it belongs. Often, a dog bed or blanket of some sort is the way to go here - give the dog a place that it is allowed to be.

Crates/kennels are good for dogs, because it is den-like to them. Train the dog to use the kennel when you are gone - you might not even have to close the door. The kennel should NEVER be used as punishment, as that will negate any comfy den-ness of it.

Exercise is CRITICAL. A tired pup is a well-behaved pup.

Watch some Dog Whisperer to get an idea of what I'm talking about here. Understand that the show is a bit misleading in that miracles happen in an hour - when it takes weeks/months to develop the right relationships with animals. Know that YOU are the one who will be changing how you communicate with the dog, the dog will follow your lead naturally once it knows you're the boss.

acstansell

Being the owner of a lab/boxer mix with short hair that sheds like crazy, it's something you just have to get used to. My vet told me that I'll find my dog's hair way after he's passed. I vacuum once a week to try to contain it and brush him once a week outside.

With regards to getting on the furniture, when he gets up there, tell him to get down. Use the command, "get off" or "get down" and shoo him down. If he won't go on his own, gently tap his hind end or gently pull him off by the collar. Keep reinforcing that. He'll get the hint.

If the dog has been previously crate trained, there is no harm in crating him during the day. Coming home and letting him out is a wise move, but you can do that if he's crated too. Crates are not evil, they reinforce good behaviors and don't let the dog get into trouble when he's bored and lonely. However, if he's not been crated before, the baby gate is your next best alternative. Pin him in the kitchen or something, but train him for it first. Start with 5 minutes as you step out of the house, then 10 as you drive around the block, then 20 as you run an errand, then an hour as you go to dinner... etc. I know it sounds like a lot, but if the dog is not used to confinement, he'll get bored and possibly destructive. Also make sure that when you do pin him, he's got things to do - a nylabone or antler, a treat-despensing toy, or a Kong. i would also consider picking up the water if his bowl is located there - he may relieve himself in your kitchen if you allow him free access to water.

Hope this helps.

PS: Yes a nice long walk, or round of fetch at a dog park will wear him out. A tired dog is a happy and well-behaved dog.

jesss5885

Dogs do very well with routine and structure. they are happy to please you and do what you want, but they need to learn the rules.
The mantra my dog trainer lives by is "you must teach them what's yes, before you teach them what's no"
give him treats or special high value toys for laying down at your feet instead of on the couch.
when you're not home - DEFINTELY use a gate, or find a way to keep him confined to an area that is dog-proof when you're not home.
good luck!!

LabRat529

Even though I do not like animals, I do not have it in me to keep him caged while I am at work for 9 hours a day. For now I come home on lunch to let him outside and he stays off the furniture when we are in the house.

Actually... dogs do fine in crates for a time. I wouldn't leave a dog in a crate for 9 hours, but if you are coming home at lunch, it is certainly fine to leave him there for 3 to 4 hours, let him run, then put him back for another 4 hours. Dogs naturally "den". They like it. My dog loves hiding in small dark spaces (usually under my bed... how the heck he FITS under there is a mystery to me) and he will sleep there for hours.

You also don't have to keep up the crate thing forever. Use it to train him. If he can learn to poop/pee outside, he can learn to stay off the couch. Keep him crated except when you can supervise him. Reward him when he's being good (off the couch). Make floor time good for him. Use "no" when he's on the couch and then reward him with praise the second he jumps off the couch. He'll figure it out. Labs are smart.

My boyfriend has suggested a baby gate to keep him confined to the kitchen/laundry/mud room. Has anyone else overcome this issue or have suggestions?

A baby gate will work until he learns to jump/climb it. My dog can and will jump over the gates.

Finally, a silly question. If I take him walking for a long period of time, is he going to get exhausted? :laugh:

It depends on how fit the dog is. And eventually he's going to get fitter and so the long walk is less likely to make him exhausted.

BUT it's still a good idea. Walks are good exercise for the dog, they're also good for managing boredom and for building bonds.

I know you don't like dogs... so maybe you're not looking for the bond, but at the very least the walk will make you part of the dog's "pack" instead of just that 'other person' in his life... and that's usually a good thing. It will help with behavior training.

Good luck!

P.S. I'm amused that I'm talking like I'm an expert. My dog is super smart and fabulous and has some behavior issues too >.> I'm obviously not an expert trainer or he wouldn't jump up on people, bark, or beg.

jonnyman41

as others have said, baby gate when you are not there or shut doors if that is an option. My lab/rottie cross and full lab both stay in the kitchen during the day (they have a sleeping area) and mainly sleep most of the day. That will confine the dog when you are not there (make sure there is a comfy bed for it) and when you are home just stay consistant and make sure it knows the sofa is out of bounds. (the dog would still try it on when you are not home because who wouldn't prefer a comfy sofa if they can get it lol) I would also say that a 30 min walk is not long enough for a healthy active dog and it should be a minimum of one hr for labs/rotties but more if you can do it. A walk before you go out and a walk in the evening would do it and you can make it part of your exercise routine. If there is the chance for safe swimming locally I would also suggest that as it really tires out dogs however it must be water that is ok for your dog of course.

acstansell

There is an oil you can get at the pet store to put in his food each morning. It helps with shedding dramatically. Also, there are a lot of different combs you can get to cut down on shedding. Most brushes don't get the under coat. I have a husky mix that I groom almost every other day, and can make a sweater off of the hair I get off of her each time.

I had an issue with my dogs not staying off the furniture in the beginning.

Dogs are like kids, consistency is key. Eventually he will learn that the couch is not for him.

Walks help dramatically. With labs, you will either get the most well behaved dog in the world, or a crazy hyper active pain in the *kitten*. I have the pain in the *kitten* God love her.

But just like humans exorcise is very important to dogs.

Crate training isn't cruel. Any trainer will tell you that. When you crate train it becomes their little house. Never use it for punishment though. If you really feel ill about leaving him in a crate though, baby gates work good too. My youngest dog has separation issues big time. He's an angel when I am home, but when I leave he freaks out, so I put a baby gate up so he can only have access to the kitchen.

I have 3 dogs.

I sympathize with this - my lab boy is good but also a pain in the *kitten*.

JustJennie1

A couple of days of driving him off the couch, and your b/f on the same page, the dog will obey...But I'm afraid for your relationship. This guy is not gonna give up his beloved dog. Hope everything works out though!

Seriously? You're afraid for the relationship because her bf won't give up his dog? And if you were in the same predicament you'd say "See you later doggie!" For someone else?

From someone who had a beautiful German Shepherd dumped at the end of their street because the owner didn't want the dog I am livid over this comment!! I would never expect anyone to give up an animal for me. When I started dating my husband he had a dog. I was by no means a dog person at this time but never would I ever have asked him to give her up for me. To say that you're afraid for her relationship because of this is ludicrous. You don't know either one of them or how their relationship is and I give kudos for her for welcoming this animal into her house and accepting him along with her boyfriend.

Would you have said the same thing if say he was moving in with a child? Probably not.

_Timmeh_

Baby gate like almost all have said works great. We put blankets on our couches, during the day no one is there to say no.
Lint rollers for clothes work really well on couches also.

kirstyg1980

i also have a black lab mix who sheds like crazy, i often wonder where all this hair comes from. But yes, baby gates work well to contain the mess.

Have you shaved him? I want to look into this, especially with the weather starting to get hot.

Never shave a dog to try and keep them cool, he will get sun burn on hot days

PeaceCorpsKat

I use a baby gate when my dog is sick to her stomach or I have repair guys coming in during the day... it works very well - and is really cheap. Get one of the collapsble ones you can move it throughout the house and use different rooms for him.

He won't get worn out... labs don't do that. Remember, they might be inclined to jump into fountains if you pass them.

kirstyg1980

A couple of days of driving him off the couch, and your b/f on the same page, the dog will obey...But I'm afraid for your relationship. This guy is not gonna give up his beloved dog. Hope everything works out though!

Seriously? You're afraid for the relationship because her bf won't give up his dog? And if you were in the same predicament you'd say "See you later doggie!" For someone else?

From someone who had a beautiful German Shepherd dumped at the end of their street because the owner didn't want the dog I am livid over this comment!! I would never expect anyone to give up an animal for me. When I started dating my husband he had a dog. I was by no means a dog person at this time but never would I ever have asked him to give her up for me. To say that you're afraid for her relationship because of this is ludicrous. You don't know either one of them or how their relationship is and I give kudos for her for welcoming this animal into her house and accepting him along with her boyfriend.

Would you have said the same thing if say he was moving in with a child? Probably not.

A dog is for life!!!! it's a living being

How can you condone such a thing!!!!

I can assure you my husband would go before anyone of my 5 (yes you read that right) Siberian huskies

savlyon

Dogs are actually den animals, which means that they enjoy being kenneled. My Yorkie enjoys the safety of his kennel. I let him sleep with me at night, but every morning, I let him out before work, then he runs in the house and straight into his kennel without being told. I come home after work before the gym to let him out, and as soon as he is back in the house he runs straight to the kennel. Anymore I don't even tell him to Kennel, he watches me, sees what I am doing and runs into his kennel when he knows I will be leaving. The house is just too big for him to be in without me, it makes him feel unsafe and he gets ornery, causing messes. I realize Yorkies are much smaller than your dog, but I know of a lot of people with larger dogs that kennel their dogs all day as well. He'll be ok, I promise