You might not mind if your poodle goes on the furniture. Or you might have some pieces of furniture he's allowed on and others he isn't. Whatever your personal rules are, it's a good idea to know how to teach your dog to stay off furniture, if for no other reason than you might visit a place together where the rules are different.

There are several approaches you can take to teach your dog to stay off furniture. One is management — simply don't give him the chance to get on the forbidden furniture. Do that by keeping the door to that room closed, or by crating your poodle (or putting him in an ex-pen) when he's in that room.

It's okay for your poodle to go on the furniture — as long he'll get down when you ask him to.

Another way to handle it is to wait for him to clamber up on the furniture. When he does, gently tell him “No” and gesture for him to get off. If he doesn't immediately hop off, toss a treat onto the floor. He'll probably jump down to get the treat. If he tries to climb on again, be there to tell him no and block his ability to get on. Then redirect him elsewhere, perhaps to his own bed. Give him something else to do, like working on a chew toy.