Dogs are awesome, but let’s face it, they can be quite the handful…
We love ’em dearly, but sometimes, they can act naughty in the strangest ways…
For example, there are dogs who do things like eat potting soil, and there are also dogs who’ll start barking at nothing…
On top of that, there are a number of doggie parents who will tell you, “My dog barks at me when I sit on the couch.”
The problem is that these dog mommies and daddies get frustrated because they don’t know why their dog starts barking in this situation and they don’t know how to stop it…
So in this article, I’m going to give you 5 potential reasons why your dog barks at you when you sit on the couch…
In the end, you’ll know why your dog is exhibiting this behavior, and you’ll also know exactly what you need to do to get him or her to stop…
Let’s get started!
| What Will Help You And Your Dog Most…? |
|---|
 |
 |
 |
My Dog Barks At Me When I Sit On The Couch – 5 Reasons Why…
There are a number of potential reasons why your dog might bark at you when you sit on the couch. Some of these reasons include hunger, boredom, envy over you sitting in his spot, a desire for a reward, and a desire for your attention…
In order to solve this issue, it’s extremely important to get to the root of the problem. So let’s discuss each of these potential reasons in a little more detail…
1. Your Dog Is Hungry…
If your dog barks at you when you’re just about to sit on the couch, it might be because he (or she) is hungry.
Now, assuming that you feed your dog a healthy and appropriate amount of food every day, you should not give in to the temptation of feeding him.
You certainly don’t want to encourage this sort of behavior, and giving your dog something to eat, even just a snack or treat, will only reinforce his demand barking.
In addition to that, if you happen to be eating on the couch, don’t share any of your food with your dog when he barks. Again, your dog will see this as a reward and bark at you more frequently.
2. Your Dog Is Bored…
Another reason why your dog might be barking at you is because he’s bored and wants you to get up and play with him.
If your dog hasn’t received his daily dose of exercise yet, wait until his barking dies down before taking him out to play. Again, you don’t want him to think barking equals play.
You might also consider checking out something like DogTV because dogs find it incredibly entertaining and actually many doggie parents do too!
3. Your Dog Wants His Spot Back…
It also might be the case that your dog is barking at you because you’re sitting in his “special” spot.
We all know that dogs can get territorial, and he might consider that spot to be his own and wants absolutely no one to take it—not even his beloved owner.
While this might seem cute at first, this behavior can turn into aggression if not immediately addressed.
So if your dog is barking at you because you “took” his spot, you need to let him know that this sort of behavior is unacceptable.
Establish leadership by setting rules, boundaries, and limitations. Your dog must treat you as the “alpha” of the house because the truth is, you are.
Also, you can reprimand your dog for his inappropriate behavior with a stern “No!” but never physically punish because you want your dog to love and respect you, not fear you.
If you need help controlling your dog’s behavior, I highly recommend your check out this.
4. Your Dog Wants A Reward…
Sorry, but I might have to hit you with a little bit of tough love. Honestly ask yourself if it’s your fault that your dog is barking at you in this way?
When your dog barks, what do you usually do? Do you “bribe” him with snacks, treats, and toys? Do you get up and play with him? Do you pay extra attention to him?
If you do any of these things, he might be barking because he wants you to reward him, and if you give in to your dog’s barking, you’re actually encouraging his behavior.
On top of that, dogs (even though we love them) have a tendency to keep pushing their limits as well, which means that they might start doing it more frequently.
The solution? Ignore your dog, and he’ll stop eventually. He needs to realize that barking will get him nowhere.
And then, once he stops barking, you can give him attention, play with him, and give him treats if you’d like to.
Again, if you determine that this is the reason for your dog’s barking, I highly recommend you check out this Super Easy Obedience Training.
5. Your Dog Craves Your Attention…
Some dogs are increasingly possessive of their owners, and when their owners pay attention to someone (or something) else…
…they’ll react by doing their best to drive the object of your attention away.
So if your dog sees you sharing the couch with your significant other, your child, or some other pet, he might see it as a threat and start barking at them.
Some dogs will even jump on the couch to take their place. On top of that, your dog might view the TV (if you’re watching it) as the problem and start barking at that.
Sidebar:
In addition to all that, many dogs consider cuddling, hugging, and close physical contact as a sign of fighting.
So if you’re cuddling with your partner on the couch, your dog might think that you’re in trouble and bark to scare the “intruder” away.
This type of overly protective behavior can be a serious problem, especially if your dog begins to show aggression towards the people you love.
Proper obedience training is a must in this situation.
How to Stop Your Dog From Barking at You When Sitting On the Couch…
Now that you understand why your dog keeps barking at you when you sit on the couch, here are some tips to stop him from doing it in the future:
Ignore the Barking…
You should ignore your dog when he’s barking at you. Don’t look at him, smile at him, yell at him, or throw a ball in the opposite direction to “get rid” of him.
Doing any of these actions will only encourage your dog to bark at you more.
Because if you react to his barking, especially if you get up to feed him, pet him, or play with him, he’ll consider it a reward for good behavior.
So only give attention to your dog when he stops barking, and to sweeten the deal even more, reward your dog with plenty of cuddles and treats for being quiet.
Make Sure Your Dog Is Getting Enough Exercise…
It’s also possible that your dog is barking because he’s antsy, restless, or filled with pent-up energy.
And if your dog stops barking at you once you’ve played with him, this is a sure sign that he’s only doing it to get his daily fill of exercise.
Remember to always spend at least 30 minutes a day walking or playing with your dog. This not only allows him to burn excess energy but also keeps him in tip-top mental and physical health.
Plus, it should help stop him from barking at you whenever you sit on your couch to relax or watch TV.
Establish a Regular Feeding Routine…
If your dog is barking because he’s hungry, you can prevent this by making sure he’s getting the right amount of food every day.
Establish a regular feeding routine to keep him physically and mentally healthy, and don’t wait too long to feed him in between meals.
Dogs need to eat at least two meals a day; once in the morning and once at night, and if you have a big dog, you can increase this to three to four meals a day.
Make sure your dog’s food has the right amount of daily calories for each meal, and as much as possible, don’t slip him human food as this might lead to weight gain, obesity, and other health problems.
Consider Obedience Training…
Another thing you should consider is to start obedience training with your dog. There are several fantastic training programs out there, but my favorite is Brain Training For Dogs…
I like it because it’s easy to follow, it works quickly, and you can access the program from the comfort of your own home…
The reason why Brain Training For Dogs works so quickly is because it teaches you how to easily redirect intelligence that your dog already has…
If you’d like to learn more about how Brain Training For Dogs can help you solve your dog’s barking problem, click the link below…
>> Click Here To Learn How Brain Training For Dogs Can Help You!
| What Will Help You And Your Dog Most…? |
|---|
|
|
|
Conclusion…
When your dog barks at you while you’re sitting on the couch, he might be telling you that he’s hungry, bored, or wants a reward.
He might also be barking because he wants his “special” spot back or because he’s jealous that you’re cuddling with someone other than him.
After making sure he’s well-fed, the best way to deter this behavior is to ignore him and to train him to be obedient.
Also, remember to avoid encouraging the behavior by petting him, smiling at him, or giving him treats while the barking is taking place.
Eventually, he’ll understand that barking is a no-go in your home, and you’ll be able to relax on your couch in peace.