Question:
My puppy is getting big, but he thinks he’s still a lap dog. How can I teach him that sitting on my lap is no longer OK?
Answer:
That little puppy in your lap was so adorable. But time comes when your lap—no matter the size of the growing dog—is not the perfect place for an adult dog. So stop this canine behavior in its tracks, before lap sitting becomes a life-long habit.
Nothing personal, but you’ll want to treat your lap like any other piece of furniture: no dogs allowed here! Hopefully, by now, your puppy is learning the “off” command. As many times as it takes, firmly say “off!” With a little gentle help getting down.
The floor is a perfectly fine place for dogs. When your pup gets there, enthusiastic praise—“good doggie!” and a training treat—will change a canine mind: this lap dog thing is overrated anyhow.
– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts”
