We had a teeny debate over dinner last night about continuing to let Kiku, our Havanese, up on the couch. Right now we have an older couch with a slip cover that gets sooo dirty from her paws. Of course it is a white slip cover that my sister-in-law convinced us to get since it was “so easy to clean, you just bleach it”. What were the washing instructions on OUR white slipcover “Cool water wash, do not bleach”-great. With a new couch in our horizon, we are trying to decide whether or not to have Kiku up on the couch. I love snuggling with her in front of the t.v. and she just seems to love being on the couch. We could always cover the couch again, but that defeats the purpose of getting a new couch and it does have a bit of a “Roseanne” feel to it with a blanket on it.
So, do you allow your dog on the couch? If so, how the heck do you keep it clean without sacrificing style? These are the things that keep me up at night!
April 3rd, 2007 at 3:55 pm
I always allow my dog on the couch–but lately, I’ve been regretting it as she is “rebelling” and challenging my authority. But, it’s nothing a couple obedience classes can’t fix.
April 3rd, 2007 at 4:02 pm
We have a large dog (70 lbs) and a small dog (14 lbs), the big one doesn’t get up on the couch unless we force him. The little one comes up mainly for his own benefit since he needs to stay warm. When it comes to couches we prefer durable/easy to clean materials over appearances since guests can be unreliable as well. That being said we have tan leather couches that doesn’t absorb anything and hair and crumbs just wipe off clean. I think our couch looks great (even though we want to replace it soon) but we definately traded for convienience over style. Just being practical.
April 3rd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
We are selective, ie, not on furniture that is being sat on by guests. So the jury is out. I posted a link to the article here. http://doggiemeow.com/tips/Are-your-dogs-allowed-on-furniture/
You are welcome to join and post links to articles on DoggieMeow
April 4th, 2007 at 10:27 am
If I didn’t let my dog on the couch, I wouldn’t have a blog!
We are constantly trying to keep the couch clean, with little luck. Our next couch will be leather or fake microfiber-type leather. That way the dog can be on it with less mess. But we have to trim the claw more often.
Good Luck!
Ky
April 7th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
No dog on couch… people on floor. Seriously, Pappy’s a bit too big, and we have a couple of throw pillows to put on the floor to sit with him when he so pleases.
April 8th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
I absolutely let my dog on the couch - and he’s a Great Dane. He loves nothing more than snuggling up there, and honestly so do I. It’s our quality time together. I now have leather furniture which just wipes right off. It’s IDEAL but yes costly. I used to have a regular sofa and I would keep a throw blanket on the couch which could just be tossed in the washer. Just a thought. But I definately would not restrict the dog from going on the furniture - they are only with us for just a short time - enjoy it while you can.
April 16th, 2007 at 6:11 am
I’ve got two big dogs (70 and 65 lbs) that are allowed on my furniture. When I bought a new sofa about 6 months ago, I ordered it with a very heavy, woven upholstery fabric and paid an extra $60 for the factory to soak my fabric in a stain resistant treatment before manufacture — its not just sprayed on afterward. Mud and slobber wipe off pretty well and the pattern hides the hairs when I haven’t vacuumed it for awhile. Its not as easy to maintain as leather, but it was a good cost compromise for me.
April 17th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
When I was growing up we allowed the cats on the furniture but not the dogs. I still think that is probably the way to go.
April 22nd, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Style?
Our dogs are our couch styles. LOL. We cover the couches, but the dogs usually ‘fix up’ these covers into a nice comfy dog bed.
May 7th, 2007 at 4:20 pm
We have a new puppy. We have three couches one leather and two material. I would’nt mind if the dog got on the leather couch but do not want him on the material couches. Since I dont think he can be taught to be selective so we have decided to discourage the dog on any couch. Its too bad because I would LOVE to cuddle with him there but instead we get down on the floor.
June 11th, 2007 at 11:02 am
We have two recliners and a ‘people couch’, but then we also have a loveseat that is the ‘dog couch.’ This arrangement suits them just fine, and we have no problems keeping them off of the people furniture then.
As for keeping it clean, I bought inexpensive sheets and some RIT dye (available at fabric & craft stores) to dye the sheets to match the upholstery on our “people furniture” (which is burgundy). I just change the sheet on the dog couch frequently, and it never looks bad IMO.
Anyway, if someone doesn’t like the arrangement or the looks of things here, then they might as well not visit us because we are DOG PEOPLE and not about to change. (grin)
June 12th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
We took the plunge and didn’t allow her on the couch now that we’re settled in our new place. I think Kiku tried twice to jump up, but hasn’t since. Right now she is in a crate when we leave the house (get to train all over again, yay!), but I wouldn’t be surprised if she made her way onto the couch when we’re gone. Oh well!
Kim
June 30th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
We have let our dogs on the couch in the past but sometimes wonder if its a good idea. I guess we’re too late to change our mind as it wouldn’t be fair.
to Jenna:
we had thought the same thing as we also have some furniture that is material and some is leather. We tried to teach them the difference, but a couch is a couch to them…
July 19th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
i whole-heartedly agree with Keri that has a Great Dane– they are with us just a short time and i allow my well-behaved weim up on bed AND couch.
August 29th, 2007 at 12:34 am
Darci is allowed on the furniture, but she’s not much of an outdoor dog to where she actually gets dirty. Plus, she gets her little paws wiped with baby wipes when she comes in so her paws are pretty clean.