Into the basket!
Whether the dog is lying in its basket, on the sofa or in the middle of the hallway - most dog owners don't care. But this topic is not unimportant at all, says dog training consultant Holger Schüler.
First of all: I am not a sofa hardliner at all. My dogs are allowed on the couch with me. The idea that dogs become aggressive or "dominant" when you let them on the couch is, in my opinion, complete nonsense. But why does the dog want to go on the couch?
It is clearly the place where the "important" people hang out. It is elevated so that you have a good view. It is right in the middle of the action. It is therefore the ideal place if you always want to have everything in view and not miss anything. And of course: if you are the most important person yourself! The same applies if the dog likes to lie in the middle of the hallway or right in front of the door.
Well, you say: the dog should feel important and take care of everything. That is not so bad. Not for you – but for your dog, it is. Because it has a role in the family that overwhelms and stresses him. Do you have a restless, nervous dog? Overwhelm due to too much responsibility in the “pack” can lead to be the cause of this.
No, you say - my dog is not nervous and overwhelmed! Then you probably have a confident specimen who doesn't mind feeling like the boss in the ring. And how does it work when your dog is supposed to listen? He comes - when he wants to? I always call such dogs "Count Bobby" dogs. Usually friendly and quite willing to work together as long as they feel like it. But when it comes down to it, such a dog will always make its own decisions. The human can then scold and shout as much as he wants.
And all this just because of the sofa? No , of course not. The sofa question is just an indication of how the human-dog relationship works. Does the dog always make its own decisions - or does the human make the effort to set clear rules and enforce them? Not to annoy the dog, but to show him: I am responsible! This will make the relationship with your dog deeper and better: Because he will be more willing to trust your leadership and submit to it. Without much fuss.
The question of who is allowed to lie where is simply one of many rules that help the dog understand the structure of the family unit. He should have his own place to rest, a little away from the action. At the beginning, careful training is required so that the dog is willing to be sent there and also goes to his place voluntarily. He must be able to relax there and find his place great. That is why I always recommend feeding the dog in his basket for a few weeks.
And your dog is still allowed on the sofa: to cuddle with you. This makes the sofa much more exciting and better in the dog's eyes than if he is allowed to lounge around on it all day.
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