Won't get off the couch

[Mayor'sHaus]

My 5month old loves to get on/jump/run on my couch. I have tried spraying him with water and he is not phased. Should I reward positively when I tell him "off" to get off of the couch or should I discipline by taking away a privilege at that moment?

At this point I don't want him on the couch at all. Maybe in the future I will allow him.

[KZoppa]

only reward when he actually listens to off. If you dont want him on the furniture, you need to enforce that being on the floor is a much better idea. How you can do that is by sitting on the floor with him. When he's on the floor, he gets yummy tasty treats like chicken or hamburger or even turkey or hot dogs. The minute he is on the couch, he is removed. Treat him once all 4 feet are on the floor. If getting him off the couch proves to be difficult, clip a leash to his collar and gently pull him down. As you pull him say off and reward once all 4 feet are on the floor. Being on the floor needs to become the next best thing since sliced bread so to speak. Nothing "fun" or "good" happens when he is on the couch but when he is on the floor... there just so happens to be a party. With practice and consistency, he'll learn that being on the floor rocks and being on the couch is boring and no fun. One thing that could help, is place a soft bed or comfy blanket on the floor for in next to the couch and encourage him to lay there using the same treat method. He gets treats on the bed, but not when he's off it. He'll be more inclined to lay where he's supposed to when good things happen for him when he does.

[Konotashi]

Teach him the command 'off.'

I taught Ozzy by leading him off of the couch with a treat. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he got the treat. Phased out the treat and used my hand to lure him off. After a while, I threw in the 'off' command, and gave him a treat here and there. After a while, I would start giving him the command, 'off' without leading him. As soon as he got off, he was rewarded. Again, got the treat every time for a while, then I started phasing it out.
Repetition, repetition, repetition, consistency, consistency, consistency.

Don't use 'down' because he could easily confuse it with 'lay down.'

[Hrachia]

You can lay something the dog finds uncomfortable on the couches and a super comfy dog bed on the floor near the couches. So when your not looking the tool is managing the behavior itself. Because every time you they might get off when your around but when your gone they will be right back up.

[cliffson1]

You'll be dealing with problem a month from now.

[kiya]

Originally Posted by Konotashi

Teach him the command 'off.'

I taught Ozzy by leading him off of the couch with a treat. As soon as his feet hit the floor, he got the treat. Phased out the treat and used my hand to lure him off. After a while, I threw in the 'off' command, and gave him a treat here and there. After a while, I would start giving him the command, 'off' without leading him. As soon as he got off, he was rewarded. Again, got the treat every time for a while, then I started phasing it out.
Repetition, repetition, repetition, consistency, consistency, consistency.

Don't use 'down' because he could easily confuse it with 'lay down.'

Couldn't have said it better myself. My youngest, Lakota is a cushy bed dog. I don't think she'd ever survive without a nice soft bed to lay in. She is allowed on my bed, but she knows when I go to bed at night to go in her own bed. I don't allow the dogs on the livingroom furniture, but front paws up to give a hug when invited is ok. So yes there was a lot of confussing signals given to her but she understands the difference. It doesn't happen over night, lots of "OFF" repetition. Specially when the cat goes on the back of the couch.

[BlackJack]

This might work also. Leerburg | The X-Mat