Dog trainer issues verdict about letting pets on sofa | UK | News

A dog trainer has finally settled the debate on whether you should allow your dogs on your furniture – and when you need to draw the line.

Dog trainer Will Atherton, who is known as @iamwillatherton on social media, has sparked a conversation online after sharing his thoughts on the topic.

While some people allow their dogs free rein over their homes, others prefer them to relax in their own spaces – such as their dog beds or crates.

He acknowledges it’s a personal decision whether you allow your dogs on your sofas – but says those who do, should make sure they have certain ‘rules’ in place.

In his video, he said: “For me, it’s completely up to you. I have a few little rules about it.

“If you don’t have any big behaviour problems with your dog then I think you can have them on the furniture if you want them. If you don’t want them on the furniture that’s completely fine.

“But if they are going to go on the furniture, my thought is they shouldn’t be allowed to have free access to jump up and off whenever they want.”

He says your pet should wait with good manners until you invite them on the sofa – and you should be able to tell them ‘off’ and have them jump down right away.

Will added: “If you can do that and you don’t have any problems with your dog elsewhere, and you want them to come and have a cuddle on the sofa, then do so.”

Commenting on his post, one user said: “My boys love being on the couch and I love having a snuggle with them on the couch but they know when I say they need too get off they do! And same for coming up!

“It’s so refreshing to hear a trainer who doesn’t want to just limit a dogs life and surroundings and doesn’t guilt owners for wanting to share the space.”

Another user added: “Ours are allowed anywhere they want; sofa, chair, bed. I want them up with me.”

A third user said: “I think cuddling with a dog on the couch is perfectly fine, the only rule I’d have is no destructive behaviour to the furniture but that can be avoided by letting them have a toy to chew, right?”

One more user added: “My dogs are a part of my family, so they can go wherever they want to without asking to go there.”

A final user said: “My puppy is soon going to be able to jump up on to the sofa and I’m not sure how to tackle the training of being invited up rather than free rein.”

Offering their advice on this, another user suggested: “We just let ours get up, but she knows to get down if asked.

“As long as you don’t have any problems with the puppy, that’s fine.

“If you want to train this though, you have to make sure she doesn’t jump up and be there to stop her before. Make her sit gently and then bring her up. Repeat until she gets the process.”