How can I get my 2 new puppy chihuahuas to stop running under the sofa?

arniec — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:58:41 -0800

How can I get my 2 new puppy chihuahuas to stop running under the sofa? One month ago I got 2 new chihuahuas (they're one of the few breeds of dogs I'm not allergic to). The older one is 5 months old, female, the younger one is 3 months old, male. They are generally happy dogs and we are using positive enforcement (i.e. treats) to train them. So far in the month we've had them, we've taught them "Watch me", "Sit", and "Come" (the third of which they do if they feel like it). They're mostly housebroken at this point.

My concern is that we also just got a new, very expensive, leather sofa. While the sofa is low, the two dogs just love to crawl under it (she has to do so on her belly with her hind legs dragged behind). They use it as a shortcut rather than go around the sofa, and they also do it while playing together. They hide treats under there, and I'm afraid they might be: A) chewing tags under the sofa or B) going to the bathroom under the sofa.

The sofa has only a 3" hole in front of it, but once you get under it the dogs can stand up fully as there's no bottom until the bottom of the seat cushion.

The sofa is a sectional, about 20' in total length (10', then bend for 2', then 8'). We've thought about blocking it off, but the sofa is so long it would take a huge amount of boxes, and the dogs would likely push empty boxes out of the way. As the sectional is fastened together, it would be hard to put large boxes underneath as we'd have to literally dismantle the sofa to do so.

I have tried telling the dogs "no" in a firm, negative voice. They don't understand "no" and, ironically, if I say it loudly the boy runs and hides...under the sofa!

We know of the shocking static electric mats you can put down, but the cost to cover 20' of sofa in them would be high, plus we'd have cords running from the walls to under the sofa which the dogs might chew. Also my wife is afraid of hurting the dogs (he's only 4 lbs) so that's out.

We've heard we can take plastic floor mats, like those you roll your chairs on in offices, and put them upside down so the plastic spikes stick up and the dogs won't want to walk on it. But they have tiny paws which I think could go between the spikes, and my wife is afraid that with their tiny feet they'll be really hurt by the spikes.

Any answers in the hive mind?

Cat meets sofa...

twine42 — Sat, 18 Mar 2006 11:49:14 -0800

What will happen when our scratching cat meets our (proposed) new leather sofa? The cat in question takes great delight in sharpening her claws on the corner of our sofa and on the piano stool's fabric top. She occasionally attacks the carpet, but never wood and (apparently) never vinyl.

We're considering changing the fabric sofa for a leather one since the old one is dying of old age, but we're worried about pest's claws. Will she shred it or will she ignore it? The sofa salesman seems to think it's unlikely due to the comparative smoothness of the leather, but he does have an interest in us buying a leather sofa.

Any opinions?

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How can I get my 2 new puppy chihuahuas to stop running under the sofa?

Cat meets sofa...