I heard once that some people don’t let their dogs on their couch. If it is happening, it’s in a land far, far away from our house.
I admit that I am in middle age and I have never owned a couch that was not bought on Craigslist (for cheap) or handed down by a friend or family member. While appreciated, these couches have never been a perfect match for our household. Don’t get me wrong, I fondly remember a few of my couches for comfort or a great fabric. No couch had it all though.
After combing Craigslist for hours looking for the perfect match, I got it in my head that it was finally time to enter the adult couch world – The world where a couch costs two months rent, has fabric that takes “care”, and is a choice instead of something you “make work”.
I happened to be shopping at my favorite dog-friendly, outdoor shopping mall (sans dogs) and decided to pop into Crate and Barrel. If you want something nice and expensive, that is one of the best places to go.
I didn’t expect to fall in love. I spotted it from across the room and something inside me just knew. Maybe it was the dark, mysterious, denim fabric or it’s sharp but casual look.
The initial screen for couch choosing was “is it big enough for me and the hubby and two Dachshunds to lay on and watch some TV”? This couch was clearly deeper than the current couch that leaves hubby sulking down into the man cave when me and the dogs nest.
I decided to dig deeper. I talked for what seemed like well over 15 minutes to the sales lady about the couch. I was saddened to learn that dark-denim cotton fabric is one of the highest maintenance fabrics. I optimistically explained how my dogs were small and that they were not that dirty (ok, except from all the hair). She was a pleaser and tried to downplay the horrific things that could go wrong with my really expensive couch but I could see the pain in her face. My practical side won and I decided I would go with a different fabric.
I told her about our blog and how the dogs are a huge part of my life. I told her that pretty much all of my decisions revolve around them. THEN I asked her if I could bring Chester and Gretel in to try out the couch first before I agreed to buy. She barely batted an eye but nicely suggested that it would be great if I could bring in a blanket to cover the couch with when they were on it ( I didn’t bring then in by the way…mostly because compulsive me wanted to start the custom order that day).
The couch arrived yesterday. Our old couch got pushed into the dining room as two strong, young delivery men whisked the new couch in the front door like it was an empty cardboard refrigerator box.
I am not sure Chester and Gretel approve of the new couch. It does not have that faint dog ass smell. The cushions don’t sag and gap, leaving a glorious crack between the cushion to sleep in. I don’t let them scratch the cushions to “nest”.
What they Do like is that they each have their own couch in the house right now 🙂 I am not sure how I am going to get rid of the old couch but when I do I think they are going to be very disappointed. They’ll have no choice but to snuggle on the new couch together.
How much do your pets figure into your furniture-buying decisions?
Caren Gittleman says
August 1, 2013 at 4:18 AMOMD this made me laugh “that faint dog ass smell. ” that is completely hilarious!!!!
First, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your couch! It is just great!
We bought our new couch a couple of years ago and you are NOT alone. I told the salesperson it was IMPERATIVE that the couch be “cat and dog friendly”
We got a microfiber couch and had it scotch guarded. We also have a pet cover from SureFit on it that we love (the cover doesn’t cover the entire couch but is designed to protect high traffic areas and is still attractive)
Dakota doesn’t spend a lot of time on the couch (but he is permitted to be there), Cody on the other paw, is a fixture!
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 4:58 AMWell, glad I am not the only one with dog-ass couch 🙂 I am playing it fast and loose with no cover on this one. I feel like it is my little experiment to see how long it lasts without one.
SUGAR: Golden Woofs says
August 1, 2013 at 4:19 AMMom almost got a couch on Crate n Barrel (its one of her favorite store) but she decided on a more $ n formal comfy couch. I immediately LOVE it … it might take some time for Chester n Gretel since they are smaller dogs. Great choice of a couch. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:00 AMYes, because they are so light it will take them a while to break it in 🙂 They are spending more and more time on it but I am pretty sure it is because that is where I am sitting.
2 brown dawgs says
August 1, 2013 at 4:24 AMVery nice! I am sure Chester and Gretel will learn to love it.
Katie says
August 1, 2013 at 4:31 AMJust last night, while sitting on my sagging, dog butt smelling couch I googled “leather couch pets” to see if that would be an option. So yeah, the pets matter! Ha! Love the couch!
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:02 AMPersonally, I am not sure I would brave a leather couch with dogs. I suppose if the leather was distressed already you wouldn’t notice the scratches from the dog’s nails as much.
Jan K says
August 1, 2013 at 4:38 AMI am working on a couch post too! I can’t tell you how many couches we have been through, and how none of them have been just right. We finally got a great couch for the living room, but we also have a couch in my office (office/dogs’ room)….which is mainly used by the dogs! We have just replaced it and that is what I am planning to write about.
BTW, when we had our first dog, she wasn’t allowed on the couch….until she was diagnosed with cancer, then everything changed, and that rule has never been used again. I don’t even know what I was thinking at the time.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:07 AMI feel like in our house a “no dogs on the couch” rule would be futile. My dogs are 10 lbs though 🙂
Looking forward to your couch post. I tried to make this one funny but, seriously, I do like to find nice things that the dogs don’t destroy right away.
Hailey and Zaphod's Lady says
August 1, 2013 at 4:58 AMWe bought a new couch several years ago and one of the main concerns (besides fitting in the space) was the dogs. One of the reasons we got a kingsized bed was for the dogs too! Dog owners get it . . . non-dog owners don’t. Enjoy the couch!
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:09 AMI know that my hubby would LOVE if we got a kingsized bed. Ironically though, the dogs sleep smashed up against me. I am the one who has to contort 🙂
GizmoGeodog says
August 1, 2013 at 5:56 AMI love the new couch…it’s something I would choose if I went looking…though I might add a few more pillows (kind of a pillow freak)…Since the cottage is tiny, there’s only a loveseat and a recliner…it’s a large recliner so Gizmo and I usually share it…and I keep his dog bed on the loveseat for when he needs that “alone time” …not too dog-focused at all 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 4:58 PMI am not a pillow freak but I am currently looking for some colorful pillows to spice it up. Maybe I could just use the dog beds 🙂
emma says
August 1, 2013 at 6:20 AMWe a great life and are spoiled rotten but we have some weird rules…no pooping in our yard and no dogs on furniture. My sister is so furry, it would be a nightmare and Mom did not want her dogs jumping, especially me with my short legs and long back there is more room for injury, so we have never been on furniture and never thought about it. I do have my window bench but that is mine and I know it. Sometimes Mom is sad about her rule but then she just sits on the floor with us and it is all ok. Hope you love your new adult couches and I bet that nice dog smell will be on them in no time!
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:01 PMI know what you mean about the jumping. Chester and Gretel jump on and off the couch all of the time but they are pretty light at 10 lbs and have never had any back issues. If they were heavier I wouldn’t let them jump as much but they would still have to be on the couch snuggling with me. I would just lift them up and down 😉
Luv2Wine says
August 1, 2013 at 6:53 AMOur couch is this great leather that doesn’t scratch easily, and it has recliners on both ends with a section in the middle for our Diva doxie, Gretchen. She even knows the word “couch” and will come get us in the afternoon around 5pm to stop work and get on the couch. The last couch decision, however, was to get an outdoor sectional so she would have a comfy place to snuggle with us outside! BTW, her favorite sport is golf (because she and Daddy can snooze together while watching) and she hates football because Momma yells at the TV.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 7:01 AMWhat kind of leather is it? Is it a special kind that makes it not scratch? I am not sure a leather couch would every be in our future but inquiring minds want to know just in case.
Luv2Wine says
August 1, 2013 at 7:16 AMJessica, it’s an expensive, top-grain cowhide sofa. We have a few scratches from where she nests, but they’re not very noticeable. I’m not happy with it as the cushions broke down after about 3 months so I wouldn’t recommend the brand. When the foam died I didn’t worry about her nesting, but when it was new I tried to minimize it. (she also has a baby blanket to nest with) My next one will be a La-Z-Boy. I think if you get good quality leather it won’t scratch as easily, and get the more pebble-grained, not the slick. A good salesperson will be able to tell you the best leather to get, as leather is more durable.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:02 PMThat’s the kind of leather I would get if I ever did get a couch. Good to know I am on the right track.
Bruce Sherman says
August 1, 2013 at 7:36 AMGreat Post Jessica. I can’t imagine that my dogs would leave any particular smells on a couch, as they always clean up behind themselves, but I understand if others have that kind of problem.
Our couch sits in by the front window and the dogs perch on the back cushion to watch the world go by, so that cushion is all squashed down. It’s a 20 year old cotton fabric that has held up like iron, but is way overdue for a re-cover. Hope your couch holds up.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:04 PMThere is no way I could let Chester and Gretel sit and look out the window. I tried it once and they were barking almost 100% of the time. As it is, they stand on the arm of the couch to look out the window and bark way more than I would like 🙂
jan says
August 1, 2013 at 8:49 AMI always take dog fur samples with me when I buy anything for the house. Fortunately they are all neutral earth tone colors which I prefer anyway. Yes, my color scheme is dog fur.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:06 PMWhen I first became a dog owner all of the dog hair grossed me out. 10 years later I have just given up hope that I will ever wear or own anything that is not covered in dog hair 😉
Kimberly Gauthier says
August 1, 2013 at 8:53 AMThe dogs and cats definitely are considered when bringing new furniture into the home. With the cats there are certain fabrics that they love to dig their claws into – anything that has that tweed feel is a no no, even when I love it. Covers won’t help, they just go beneath.
Three big dogs = a lot of wet dog smell and muddy paws, so we have furniture that can withstand them. Blue likes to lay on the back of the sofa, so future furniture purchases will be done with that in mind. I’m getting tired of refluffing cushions every other day – LOL
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:10 PMI have owned several (Craigslist) couches that had the big pillows in the back. Hated every one of them. Chester likes to lay on top of those cushions and would flatten them out – make them short but wide – and that looked bad and make the couch uncomfortable.
I have not had a cat in my house as an adult but did “own” a cat that lived with my Grandparents. It moved in there with me when I was in my early 20s and stayed when I moved out. They lived on a lot of acreage and he was happier there than the City. Anyway, he scratched every corner of my Grandma’s couch, loveseat and chairs. She was a good sport about it 🙂
Debbie says
August 1, 2013 at 9:45 AMI complicated things by adding cats to the dog equation and we put up with an old uncomfortable couch for many years. FINALLY last fall I found a new one that is both good looking and guaranteed to withstand both cat claws and dog dirt! So far, so good (even thou’ it cost way more than I wanted to pay.) But like you, the old one is still in the house, under a window, and still highly enjoyed by the 4-legged kids.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:13 PMSome of our Facebook fans came to the dog’s defense and urged me to just keep the old couch. I absolutely have no room to do that even if I wanted to.
You have a couch impenetrable by cat claws and dog dirt?? Where did you get it…another planet? Ha, ha.
CHo Meir says
August 1, 2013 at 12:43 PMYou are not alone. I too am middle-age and have had most of my furniture in my life second hand. Partly because my friends always gave me their old stuff and I always said yes and partly because I’m cheap. I’ve only ever bought furniture new and that was 22 years ago (I still have the mattresses). Every TV I’ve had I got for free from a friend or relative. I just recently dumped all of my thrice-loved stuff and the 22yo mattress is going too and I am COMMITTED to buying new this season, including the TV. It just has to be naked cat approved.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:15 PMI have gotten Craigslist or hand-me-down couches because I am cheap too….or I was college poor. Now, I DO have about $10,000 of mountain bikes in my garage. Priorities 🙂
calee says
August 1, 2013 at 1:07 PMour couch is most definitely dog approved, but we’ve created a no-fly zone for our wiener because he has back issues (luck of the draw because he’s otherwise supremely healthy and not overweight — probably a bit inbred).
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:20 PMYes, back injuries are always a risk. They DO say that most of the “cause” of back issues later in life is genetics. Too bad your little guy might of go the short end of the stick. I am lucky because Chester and Gretel are both really healthy all-around. also think the jumping isn’t so bad for them because their back muscles are really strong from hiking.
P.L.A.Y. Pet Lifestyle and You says
August 1, 2013 at 1:44 PMSo funny! I love that she asked you to bring a blanket to lay on the couch as if your dogs are so dirty placing them on it would destroy their display couch.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 5:25 PMWell, I am sure they just didn’t want dog hair on it. You would be surprised how much a sparsely-haired, rabbit-size dog can shed! 🙂
Renata/Chance says
August 1, 2013 at 2:22 PMAt first I was one of those people with a determined “no furniture” rule but I ended up wanting to cuddle with my pooch (arguably a lot more than he often wants to cuddle with me).
We already had the furniture before we got our dog so it was a question of relenting more than anything else. I am sooooo thankful that we opted for leather and vinyl type furnishings throughout most of the house. Hair vacuums easily & slobber doesn’t stain. Our couch has subsequently been marked with wear, but that was after over two years of him being on it, and could have been as much as a result of him as our five years of total use. Not bad for an inexpensive couch.
That said, that’s the ONLY thing he’s allowed on in the house. I bought a fabric nest chair for my office. It’s black and gorgeous and would be the best damned dog bed ever…but he knows better. 😛
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 9:34 PMI, too, think the ok-on-the-couch rule is more to satisfy my snuggle urge 🙂 I guess the couch is the only thing they are allowed on in our house (except the bed I guess). Really though. we don’t have much furniture besides the couch. Ha, ha.
Stefanie @DogSplendor says
August 1, 2013 at 2:36 PMToo funny! I always say we’re going to need to bring the dogs in to the store next time we go mattress shopping. Our couch is leather (as our last couch was) and it is great for avoiding dog smell. The dogs are only supposed to go on their blanket on the couch. So far, it’s worked. But there are still a few mysterious dog nail scratches on the leather….hmmm. Oh well.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 9:36 PMYeah….I would have to cover the WHOLE couch in a blanket because they use it like a jungle gym 🙂
Mags Corner says
August 1, 2013 at 4:05 PMOur couch is years old and still in good shape but I am so tired of it. I really like your new one. Maybe one day we will decide to get a new one. Ours is rarely used by people Chancy and the cats use it a lot though. Hubby has his favorite recliner and I love my rocking chair. I do sit on the couch with Chancy sometimes. Chester and Gretel look so cute on the new couch.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 9:38 PMI use our couch a lot. My hubby is a nigh owl so every night I next and snooze on the couch with the dogs until he wakes us up to go to bed. That’s probably why our couches don’t last very long 🙂
Elizabeth says
August 1, 2013 at 4:08 PMLove your new couch – it would look great in my house! 😉
We have had our leather couch for almost 8 years and it’s held up very well with two dogs. The leather doesn’t scratch easily and you can just wipe it off. Frankly I have only ever had leather couches, so I would be nervous about having any other kind of fabric.
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 9:40 PMI am the opposite…never had a leather couch so it would make me nervous to switch 🙂 I will say that I swore by cloth seats in the car. Silly me. The car I had before Chester had cloth seats. Post Chester they got really nasty because they caught all the dirt and dog hair. Once I switched to leather seats I decided I will never go back. Maybe I would feel the same about the couch 🙂
Jules says
August 1, 2013 at 4:14 PMI’m lucky, Ru completely stays away from the couch now. When he was a puppy he would beg to come up but now, he’s too big for it, I think. Ru doesn’t really factor in at all at this point because he doesn’t chew or jump up on things! Beautiful couch. Good choice.
Jules of Canines & Couture
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 9:42 PMWhat a lucky dog owner you are with Ru 🙂 Luckily, Chester and Gretel are not chewers anyway….or at least only with dog toys and treats.
Ann Paws says
August 1, 2013 at 5:21 PMWell, like you I haven’t purchased my first adult couch yet lol. One of my couches which I think is pretty nice is from a friend. The other is in some pretty bad shape and it’s from my old veterinarian boss. Both of the arms were chewed by her dogs and it’s in horrible shape lol… I didn’t see the chew marks til I brought it home though because it has a slip cover. Your couch looks super nice! I love it 🙂
Jessica Rhae says
August 1, 2013 at 9:44 PMGlad I am not alone in not buying an adult couch until later in life 🙂 We’ll see how this one goes. I may go back to Craigslist after this. Hopefully that won’t be for a while though because this couch is supposed to last 10 years. I think that is probably 5 or 6 in dog years 🙂
Dolly the Doxie says
August 2, 2013 at 4:32 AMWe had just bought a new couch and chair before we got Dolly. When I walked into the very high-end furniture store to meet a designer friend of a friend I said that I had my heart set on a brown leather couch. Thanks to her honesty, and knowing about having cats/dogs she talked me out of it in a heart beat when she showed me the microsuede (?) that is extremely forgiving and dog proof. That being said there is always a throw on it for Dolly.
Jessica @YouDidWhatWithYourWiener says
August 2, 2013 at 7:25 AMHmmmm…interesting. This lady actually steered me away from microsuede because of pets. Maybe she doesn’t have any 🙂 The cost was the same.
PepperPom says
August 2, 2013 at 3:45 PMWell, Pepper isn’t really picky about furniture, so I get what is comfortable for me. The only thing that matters to Pepper is that she has ramps/steps to get on the furniture, which she does have of course. BOL!
Hugs,
Pepper & Mom
Pam says
August 3, 2013 at 7:51 AMWe know all about the “faint dog ass smell”! We keep a cover on the couch (not fancy, it’s an old, worn comforter), but the dogs often manage to dig at it just enough to push it in such a way that most of their body is on the comforter and their dog ass is on the fabric of the couch. I can’t tell you what the fabric is… but when a cover isn’t on there, it holds up well to their scratching/nesting. This particular couch & loveseat was our first adult set, and while I loved them when we first got them, I don’t love them so much now, for various reasons. We’ll be smarter shoppers next time, though Lord knows when that will be.
I love your new couch! Earthy, clean lines, classy. But due to the wonky way my hubs and the dogs end up sitting, we could never manage with two cushions instead of three. Hubs would no doubt end up sitting in the crack, and it wouldn’t take too long before we’d have a V-shaped couch. That would be fine with the dogs, of course… they’d just lay in the V.
If you didn’t end up going with the denim fabric, what fabric did you end up going with? We can always use tips for next time.
Scruffy Nellie says
August 4, 2013 at 2:20 AMsofas are always more comfy when the bottoms on them are very furry
Neely says
August 4, 2013 at 9:55 AMMy husband had two corgies before I met him and our leather couch has lots (LOTS) of distressed marks and scratches. I hated it at first, but now I love it. I don’t have to worry about spilling on it or having my niece spit up. Spills just wipe away. I would have never in a million years chosen to buy a leather couch, but now I’m on a convert. (just hope the cat never pees on it because I don’t think you can get pee out of leather, or anything else for that matter)
Pup Fan says
August 4, 2013 at 6:46 PMI can’t imagine not letting my pups on the couch – I’m a sucker for snuggle time. I grew up in a house where that was the norm, so I never even thought about doing otherwise once I had my own place. We buy furniture with the dogs in mind too. 🙂
Dogmama says
August 6, 2013 at 12:15 PMI grew up sneaking the dogs onto the sofa and into bed but they were small. Our HufflePup now is at least 90 lbs of “move over and don’t touch me so much” so even if I wanted to let him on the sofa, and could sneak that past HP’s dad who is a neatfreak, I wouldn’t because a) he would take up the whole thing and boot me off and b) he shouldn’t get on furniture lest he slips another disc. He slipped a disc really badly jumping up or off a friend’s bed so we can’t risk another injury.
I suspect it’ll take our having messy messy kids and another two dogs before we break his dad down 😉
Pamela | Something Wagging This Way Comes says
August 7, 2013 at 1:21 PMForgetting that my dogs Agatha and Christie ate two couches (one a freebie another a $1000 beauty from when $1000 was a lot of money), I still take dogs into consideration with major furniture purchases.
For instance, I look at the weave of the fabric to make sure it’s unlikely to snag puppy toenails. 🙂
Kyley and Ammo the Dachshund says
August 15, 2013 at 10:28 AMWe have bought all our couches from the pottery barn outlet (and most furniture too) – because it’s way less expensive and still the same great quality.
And believe it or not, all of our couches are white! But the key to having a white couch with a dirty farm dog is to only purchase ones that have slip covers. He does track mud in on them sometimes and I just take them off and pop them in the wash with some bleach. They always come out looking like new.
Jessica Rhae says
August 15, 2013 at 10:57 AMPottery Barn Outlet?? I don’t think we have one of those here. I should look. We got the non-standard fabric on our couch though so we probably wouldn’t have found it there.
We are going coverless for now but may need to move that way later. Currently, I am thinking of installing a custom dog wash in our house (my back is too bad to stoop over the bathtub anymore) to wash of the hiking dog dirt 🙂