Photos: How to keep pets off furniture

You love your puppy or kitten, but don’t want to encourage them to jump on your furniture, right? Keeping pets off furniture is not as difficult as it may appear, as long as you lay down some ground rules and continually enforce them. As with other aspects of pet training, you will find that avoiding troublesome situations before they become habits is the best and most practical method. Prior to enforcing rules and teaching your pets to stay off furniture, make certain your pets have their own, comfortable and safe environment for sitting, resting and play. Crate training puppies is one of the most effective methods for preventing dogs from jumping on furniture.

If your pet is scratching your furniture or clawing sofa or chair legs (commonly seen with cats), then it’s time for a scratching post. Pet owners who are breaking animals of bad habits may find that placing scratching posts in the area where the animal has already sunk his or her claws is an effective method. Use a deterrent spray that is safe on your furniture as well. Keep kittens and cats occupied with plenty of safe toys as well, and provide them with an area for bedding.

As scratching is a common activity performed by cats, puppies spend countless energy chewing and biting. Before long, a puppy can severely damage furniture legs and destroy any cushioning that accompanies your sets. Make certain to provide plenty of scratching activities for cats and safe chew toys for puppies and dogs. Let your dog know that he or she is free to chew on bones and toys, but furniture legs, pillows or cushions are off limits.

Ensure pets understand the rules of the house by remaining unswerving. Make certain your pets know they are not allowed on the furniture by never making an exception. It is unfair to scold a pet for jumping on furniture one day, and then allowing the activity the next. This leads to confusion and is not an effective training method. Consistency is key to any training method that is going to provide results. If you don’t want your pets on the furniture, never make an exception. Otherwise, it is unfair to scold the animal for performing a behavior you have encouraged.

You may have heard the saying “out of sight; out of mind” and when it comes to pet training, you’ll discover this saying holds much truth. Use a loud, firm voice and say no, if your pet breaks the rules. You may find that clapping your hands in a loud manner, while saying no is also an effective way to get your pet’s attention. Remove your pet from the furniture, unless they have already jumped down, and provide an activity to distract and engage him or her.

By using these strategies and remaining firm and consistent, you can effectively train your pet and keep him or her off furniture.

Visit Pets and their People on Facebook and check out our blog.

· Photos: Why you should spay or neuter your pets (Video)

· Photos: How to keep pets off furniture (Video)

· Photos: Pet Sitters: Tips for finding sitting or walking services for your dog or cat (Video)

· What does the Bible say about animal cruelty? (Video)

· Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson to adopt another rescue dog says source (Video)

· Kristen Stewart says Robert Pattinson’s pet dog Bear is like a child to her (Video)

· Premium Nutritional Products, Inc. announces ZuPreem bird food recall

· Kim Kardashian latest news: Mercy photos, Kanye West, and Choupette Lagerfeld (Video)

· Artemis the cat saves man from burning building and other heroic pet tales (Video)

· Photos: Miranda Lambert seeks help finding lost rescue dog Loretta on Twitter (Video)