will letting our 13 week old puppy on our sofa make her disobediant?  we are 1st timers and are trying to follow guidelines from Gwen Baileys book the perfect puppy (which doesn't recommend it).  Our puppy has slept in a playpen in the dining room since we bought her home (we put her to bed at about 11pm each night).  During the day/evening she is restricted by way of a stairgate to living in the dining/conservortary area.  We spend as much time with her as possible and by 9p.m. she is showing signs of chilling out but wants to come up with us chilling on the sofa.  We would like her to do so, but not sure of the long term consequences (I have tried sitting on the floor with her but it gets very uncomfortable!!).  Will she be more settled on floor once we are able to take her for walks? She is unable to go out just yet as still in the incubation period from her jabs.

I prefer teaching the puppy/dog not to come onto the sofa at all. This means that it is cleaner :) and the dog does not make a nuisance of it self by jumping up at every opportunity :) Our older dog is allowed up for a cuddle sometimes but only if the throw is on the sofa and he has been given permission to come up (this was only after he had learnt not to just jump up). Our three year old is quite happy to lie at our feet - she knows no different and so is happy :)  Once a dog is given free run of the sofa it must become very difficult to teach it otherwise :)

Daisy

Allowing your pet on the sofa is a matter of personal choice. Allowing it teaches your dog that she is allowed on the sofa, full stop. Therefore if you choose to allow her once, you must be prepared to always allow it, as dogs need consistency. HOWEVER, allowing the dog on the sofa does not make the dog disobedient, or dominant as some books suggest. My dogs are both allowed to sleep on the bed and on the sofas, but they are still very obedient, and respect that I make the decisions in our house!
Hope that helps :D

Allowing a puppy on the sofa wouldn't make them dissobedient, bu there are risks attached - such as injury if the pup slips and falls........  Personally my dogs are allowed on the sofa when I'm not on it as they wish, but if I'm on it, then they must 'ask' first, and be prepared to accept a 'no'......

My dogs are allowed on the sofa, but only if they are told they can. And they get off when told to get off! I don't see it as a problem but as your pup is only 13 weeks I wouldnt let it jump on and then jump off as it won't be good for its joints.