If you have a dog and leave it to run in the yard, you might one day shed a tear over the mess it will have caused on your outdoor furniture. Leaving muddy paw prints, shedding, or even chewing up the furniture are just some of the things you need to worry about. You need to correct this behavior to strive to keep their bodies and claws off your furniture.
-
You need to install a very comfy bed somewhere near your furniture, especially those pieces that your dog is fond of. This bed will need to be more attractive than your items so put toys on the bed. Every time you find your dog on its bed, always do something that he/she likes, such as scratch its belly, throw a bone, or anything making him/her happy. This may lead them to preferring their bed over your furniture.
-
Deny your dog access to your furniture. You can put cardboard boxes or any bulky object on your furniture so there isn’t any room for your dog to hop up. You can also cover them using a carpet runner which is uncomfortable to lie on.
-
Every time you let your dog run off to the yard, you can stand aside hiding to see what they are up to. If they cannot see you, it is possible to create an impression that every time they attempt to sit on your furniture a nuisance sound is produced. You can blow a horn every time they land on your furniture. This will teach them that an unpleasant sound will happen when they jump on the furniture.
-
You can also spray pet repellent on your furniture. Repellents keep pets from lying on or chewing on your furniture, but you have to remember to reapply it often.
-
Obedience training is also something you can consider. You can train your dog to obey your commands in relation to the furniture. If you don’t want your pet on the furniture, then train him or her to stay off of it.
-
Slip covers while on your furniture won’t completely prevent your dog from laying on the furniture, but they aren’t the most comfortable and will at least protect furniture from your dog’s hair and claws.
-
Alternatively, you may want to segregate your outdoor furniture area from the dog's playing area. A gate or small fence will keep your dog away from your furniture and relaxing space, but still provide an area for him or her to play and run.
