Dogs love rubbing against thing and it is a natural reaction to their surroundings. This can be off-putting for dog owners because the fur can make quite a bit of mess when rubbed against furniture. Keeping all of this in mind, you may start asking, why does my dog rub against furniture?
A dog may rub against furniture as a way to itch itself or spread its scent to assert dominance in the territory. This is the equivalent of urinating in a spot to claim it.
Some dogs will not urinate, but are going to be more than happy to do other things such as rub against furniture. If your dog is rubbing against the sofa or table, it might be time to put a stop to it as soon as you can!
Some of the furniture can include:
- Sofas
- Chairs
- Tables
These are the most common items that dogs prefer rubbing against. You will often see a dog walk up to a sofa and start rubbing against the arm and sometimes it has more to do with an underlying infection or fleas. In that situation, you should bathe the dog and make sure to visit a vet!
Each situation is going to be different when you are asking, “Why does my dog rub against furniture?” and it is best to consult with a medical professional.
However, what should you do when it is time to put a stop to this behavior?
It is best to ask “Why does my dog rub against furniture?” and then pinpoint which strategy is going to work best for your dog at home.
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Tips on How to Stop a Dog From Rubbing Against Furniture
1. Use a Dog Repellent Spray
If you have taken the dog to a vet and everything is clear, it is time to put a dog repellent spray to the test.
With a dog repellent spray, you are going to spray it along the base of the furniture. These sprays don’t bother humans and you are going to enjoy the pleasant smell. However, it isn’t going to be enjoyed by the dog and should do the trick.
They will avoid the spot and just go to other areas in the house. This is a simple tweak and one that will nip the problem in the bud.
If you are tired of the dog rubbing against furniture then this is a good place to start.
2. Create a Barrier
Another option is to set up a dog gate in front of the room where you don’t want the dog to go. This tends to work in some houses, but isn’t appropriate in others.
You will have to determine whether this is a valid solution.
The first thing to do is to watch the dog and see where it goes. The idea is to only block off areas where the dog tends to rub itself.
By doing this, you are going to have more control over the dog and where it goes.
If you are asking “Why does my dog rub against furniture?” then this is a must.
3. Say “No!” Immediately
Is your dog already trained?
If so, you are going to have a much easier time getting through to them. The goal is to just say “No!” as soon as you see the dog walk up to the furniture.
If they stop, you will give them a treat.
This should go a long way in putting a stop to this type of behavior. If you have a dog rubbing against a chair, you will want to have this option up your sleeve.
This is a good way to make long-term adjustments to the dog’s behavior.
Just the idea of doing this the right way is going to lead to good results. You will get the dog to stop as a whole and that is much better then short-term changes.
Final Thoughts
“Why does my dog rub against furniture?”
A dog rubbing against the furniture is never going to be a good thing. The goal is to learn more about why your dog is doing this before making a decision.
For example, some dogs will have fleas and that is going to make them itchy. As a result, they will naturally want to rub against things and roll on the ground to itch their back or “hard to reach” spots.
However, there are other times where the dog is just spreading its scent. You will have to pinpoint what the root cause is in your dog’s situation.
Here is more on dogs – dog collars for your dog, dogs that keep losing lots of fur, potty training advice for apartment tenants, and great dog food bowl for dogs.