If you share your home with a dog, chances are you’ve had at least one silent negotiation about couch space. Dogs seem convinced that soft cushions were invented purely for them. Add a pair of pleading eyes, and suddenly the rules feel negotiable. A recent video shows one Labrador putting her best persuasion skills to work in an attempt to claim her spot on the couch.
Labrador is half way up on the couch dad tells her ‘no’
A video shared on Instagram by @too.cute.labs captures two Labradors, Stink and Bink, making an amusing attempt to negotiate couch privileges with their owner. The clip opens with Stink already halfway onto the couch, her front paws planted firmly as she slowly inches forward, convinced she belongs there. Sitting nearby, her owner calmly but firmly tells her “no,” trying to stop the climb before it goes any further.
Rather than backing down, Stink freezes in place and looks straight at him. To add to that, she delivers an exaggerated puppy-dog eyes that seem carefully timed to soften his resolve. The owner, however, repeats “no” and “down” several times, even pointing toward the floor with his finger. Instead of understanding the command, Stink appears to interpret the motion as an invitation to play.
Meanwhile, the second Labrador, Bink, watches the exchange from behind. More cautious in her approach, she waits to see how the situation unfolds before stepping in. At one point, Bink gently pounces toward Stink, almost as if trying to distract her or warn her not to push their luck. Stink, however, remains committed to her protest, determined to hold her position on the couch despite repeated instructions.
The lighthearted standoff ends without victory for the hopeful climber, but viewers were quick to praise the dogs’ personalities and the owner’s patience. The caption accompanying the video jokingly reads, “No stinks on the couch.”
Teaching a dog to stay off furniture starts with consistency. It’s a good idea to pair clear verbal cues with gentle guidance and immediate praise when your dog follows through. Offering an appealing alternative, like a comfortable dog bed placed nearby, can help redirect the behavior. Most importantly, everyone in the household must stick to the same rule. Allowing couch access one day and forbidding it the next can confuse your pup and make training harder.
