Should You Let Your Dog on the Couch? A Dog Trainer and a Vet Answer the Debate

As a dog trainer, the most important thing to me is spending quality time with my dogs, whether we are competing in sports or relaxing in the evenings. Dog owners often wonder, “Is it a good idea to have my dog on the couch, or is that canine misbehavior?” It’s a common debate among pet parents who want to balance cleanliness, good manners, and snuggle time with their pets.

As a dog trainer, I give my dogs free access to all the furniture in my house. I even have a couch in my office specifically so the dogs can sleep on it while I work. I try to design all areas of my house with the dogs' comfort in mind.

I spoke with veterinarian Dr. Jolee Stegemoller, D.V.M., about whether a dog should be allowed on the furniture, and she’s also on team couch. “Couches are so fun to share with dogs! I love to snuggle with mine and watch a great movie.”

Personal preference plays a role, and there are some safety considerations, but in general, if you like having your dog on the couch, there’s no reason not to share lounge time with your dog.

From a training and behavioral perspective, there’s generally no problem with allowing dogs on the couch. I want my dogs to be comfortable at home, so in my house, they're allowed on the couch anytime they want, with or without me. Dr. Stegemoller’s dogs also have access to the couch, and we have both designed our living rooms to make our dogs comfortable.

She and I also agree that there’s no reason to force dogs to move from a seat just so we can sit down. “I never ask my dog to move from a comfortable position just because I wanted it,” says Dr. Stegemoller.

There’s a pervasive idea that dogs may try to show dominance over their people or be the “alpha” of the family pack. But this idea has been scientifically disproved and has no place in modern dog training. Your dog isn’t trying to show dominance by stealing your seat; they just want to snuggle up!

However, this doesn’t mean that dogs can’t be moved from their spot on the sofa. I encourage dog guardians to practice calling their dog off the couch and rewarding them for following the cue with a treat or engaging in play with a toy.

For some people, the objection to having dogs on the couch is cleanliness. Wiping your dog’s paws if they have been outside in wet or muddy weather can help. I also recommend dog guardians get washable couch covers or throw blankets to have on the couch.

Because my Newfoundland Sirius drools a lot, I have seasonal dog-themed fleece blankets that I put on my senior giant dog’s favorite side of the couch. This catches the drool, and I can toss the blankets into the wash weekly. Having a regular grooming routine will also cut down on a lot of extra hair, dander, and dirt making their way onto the couch.

Nowadays, both of my dogs spend a significant amount of time on the couch. But when my dog Rodeo first came home as a puppy, she was only 7 pounds. For safety, I didn’t allow her to jump on and off the couch unassisted.

Jumping on and off the couch can cause injuries, particularly for small and toy breeds with delicate bones (like Italian Greyhounds) and breeds predisposed to intervertebral disc disease (like Dachshunds and French Bulldogs). The same is true of growing puppies, whose growth plates are more predisposed to fractures. According to Dr. Stegemoller, dogs with neck or back injuries, or those recovering from surgery, should also not be allowed to get on and off furniture without assistance.

For these dogs, adding pet ramps or small dog stairs with carpeting for traction can help reduce the risk of injury from jumping on and off the couch. To help your dog or puppy navigate the couch stairs, use treats to help them learn to get on and off safely.

If you have a dog who hasn’t yet adjusted to using pet stairs or a ramp and could get injured getting on and off the couch, Dr. Stegemoller suggests putting a harness on. “Keep your pet leashed so you can have better control. If this isn’t possible, you can position a crate near the couch on the floor so you can be close together.”

My dog Sirius had major reconstructive surgery on both of her knees when she was younger. During post-surgery recovery, it wasn’t safe for her to get onto the couch even with assistance. During this time, I rearranged my living room, moving the couch aside and putting down more dog beds so that we could sit on the floor together. As soon as her surgeon and veterinary physical therapist cleared her for getting back on the couch, she and I were both happy to resume our couch time together.

For safety, to prevent falls, I also don’t recommend dogs being allowed to wrestle or play on the couch. If cuddling turns into playtime, I encourage you to call your dog off the couch and onto the floor to continue the game.

When dogs have a history of resource guarding or react aggressively to people when touched, it's best to keep them off the couch to prevent a dangerous situation. In these instances, work with your dog’s veterinarian and an experienced dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist to come up with a training and management plan to address the resource-guarding issue.

In general, and particularly if you have a dog who tends to be shy or nervous, Dr. Stegemoller recommends inviting your dog to join you on the couch rather than sitting down next to them if they are already there.

“It is better to be on the couch, and then invite your pet into the space, being respectful if they choose not to join you,” she says. “This avoids creating concerns of invading your pet’s space that could be considered scary or threatening to them.”