We have just started to let the our 5.5 months old weimaraner into the front room - at the moment he wants to sit on the sofa and chew the rug - does anyone have any tips on the best way to train your dog that jumping on the furniture is wrong. We keep shouting at him and put him outside for 5 mins on his own after he has offended but it doesn't seem to be working.

Can anyone help?

Hi - I posted a long reply to someone else with the same problem on the 13wk old Golden Retriever thread.  Have a read of that.

Shouting at him and shutting him out won't help.  You're just confusing the dog and punishing him for no reason, when he doesn't understand what the punishment is for.

I found with mine that scolding once they are on the sofa is too late.  I used to wait until she put her front paws up on the sofa, tell her no and then put her paws on the floor. I discouraged everyone from allowing her to put her paws on the sofa or holding her and sitting on the sofa which was giving the pup the idea that is was ok to be on sofa even though she was on someone's lap.  It was harder training the children in the end rather than the pup.

You have be consistent, my daughter used to put the puppy in a large pocket at the front of her sweatshirt, six months later the now very large puppy was still trying to climb in the pocket when my daughter sat on the floor.

when my pup tries to get up where he shouldnt, i say "off" and wait til all paws are on ground and then praise and fuss him (  sometimes with a treat) whilst he is still on the floor. Works for me when he jumps up at me too, "off" paws on ground then he gets his fuss and good boys :)

Chez swa

You have just reminded me of something very funny with your t shirt pocket theory.  I had a lovely GSD many years ago when I lived in a rural part of Wales.  When I had to wait for a bus, which might not come on time if at all, I would put the puppy in my wicker shopping basket to stop him getting cold and carry him onto the bus.  He was only 6 weeks when I got him and a miserable little scrap.  He soon got bigger until only his head would fit in the basket, but he still had to put it in there before he would get on the bus and sit with his head in the basket for most of the journey. 

I digress.  I have taught all my dogs to stay off the soffas with the same routine you are using, as soon as the paws go on I say off and fuss them when they are firmly on the floor.  It even works with cats, but they have a shorter attention span I find and are quicker to try again just incase you have forgotten that you dont want them up on your leather soffa.

lol @ GSD story.  I think it just goes to show how much they relish and appreciate the positive attention you give them. That's what I like to think anyway.  Mine is a GSP so not small but she still sits on my lap when I sit on the floor.  I used to sit on the floor so that she still got cuddles without being on my lap with me on the sofa.  what you have to do eh?

Never stopped him putting his head in the basket the regulars on the bus loved it!!!

I find this is where a long line comes in useful, you can stop them getting on before its too late.

Long lines could be too risky to be on all the time around the house/garden :(

Thanks for your advise - have found the best training tool a water pistol!!!

When he jumps on the sofa he gets a squirt i only had to do this 3 times last nigh now i don't even have to squirt it if he mis behaves i just show it to him and he soon corrects his actions and lots of love for good behave it's working a treat.