OT: Buying a Leather Couch

Arielluria · 03-19-2010, 07:05 PM

We're looking to buy a leather couch & loveseat and aside from the importance of good framing and all, which we WILL look at before deciding.....I like some which have sturdy topstitched seams down the middle of the cushions and we're worried that makes the cushions more susceptible to ripping. Does anyone have this type of couch, how does it hold up with dogs and the usual wear and tear?

N0obKnitter · 03-20-2010, 03:56 AM

Dogs shouldn't be on couches or beds. Period. (I know this is difficult.) To dogs, couches/beds = for the alphas.

That being said, my dog tries to sneak up on the couch when I'm not home, so I place objects on said couch to keep him off of it.

Jan in CA · 03-20-2010, 05:46 AM

Well, I disagree with Noob. I think it's personal choice and it also depends on the dog. Maybe a great dane shouldn't be on the bed or couches, but my little dog is just fine and I wouldn't have it any other way. She's a beloved member of my family.

Anyhoo..we have a leather couch and chair that do not have the stitching as you've mentioned, but they've held up fine. I will say that they have gotten very dirty though just through regular of humans and I can't get them clean. Arrgghh!

N0obKnitter · 03-20-2010, 05:58 AM

All dog breeds are...dogs. They all have the same "rules" when it comes to Alphas/pack order etc. There's no way around that, unfortunately. We tend to humanize our dogs (it's in our nature to do so) but they are quadrupedal omnivorous canids, not bipedal omnivorous sapiens.

Further, we all must be Alpha in our particular packs, the dog must never be allowed to think he/she is the "boss."

I watch a show called "At the End of my Leash" frequently, and I noticed 99% of the problems with dogs revolve around humans treating the dogs as though they were their "babies" etc.

Jan, are you able to reach into your dog's mouth to retrieve an object without the dog resisting? Also, can you mess with the dog's food while she is eating it, without her reacting?

Jan in CA · 03-20-2010, 03:51 PM

I believe so, she's pretty submissive. It's okay to disagree on this.

kmaclean · 03-20-2010, 05:13 PM

Whether you allow your pets on your furniture is a personal preference and totally your business. It is, however, something you should consider when you're choosing your furniture.

If you do anticipate that your pets will be on your furniture from time to time, you should definitely choose carefully. I have only owned one leather couch in the past and my cat totally destroyed it with his claws! He seemed to enjoy using the couch as his "launching pad" to attempt to jump onto the top of my bookshelf, and thus my couch was eventually covered in scratches/gouges from him "taking off", lol.

My parents have also owned several boxers, which are rather large energetic dogs, and have had to really train them not to get up on the leather furniture as they did have a couple of incidents early on with the dogs puncturing the leather with their nails.

On the other hand, however, I do find that the leather is much easier to clean. It does not attract pet hair the same way that fabric does, and it is much easier to wipe up spills, etc.

You know your lifestyle and/or your pets better than anyone. I think the best advice is to try to think logically and reasonably about what is going to work best for you and do your research on any potential furniture you may be interested in.

Good luck ... hopefully you end up finding something you are really happy with!

kmaclean · 03-20-2010, 05:17 PM

I just thought I'd also add that the furniture my parents currently have does have the topstitched seams down the middle of the cushions and they have not had any problems at all with these tearing or coming apart ... apart from a couple of punctures to the leather (which as I said were due to the dog and had nothing to do with the seaming) their furniture still looks fantastic almost 7 years later!

Arielluria · 03-20-2010, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by N0obKnitter

We tend to humanize our dogs.....
Further, we all must be Alpha in our particular packs, the dog must never be allowed to think he/she is the "boss." ......99% of the problems with dogs revolve around humans treating the dogs as though they were their "babies" etc.

I completely agree & though we do allow our dogs on couches & beds we take steps anytime necessary to show them that WE are the alpha & have had great success with that.

It IS personal choice, I don't think people who do differently aren't doing right towards their dogs. I think many people have to learn that it's important to do that even with small dogs, which are often overlooked.

Abby123 · 03-20-2010, 05:26 PM

I don't own leather myself. But I've heard that the leather cleaner sold for interior car seats works well.

kmaclean · 03-20-2010, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Abby123

I don't own leather myself. But I've heard that the leather cleaner sold for interior car seats works well.

Absolutely! You can also get leather cleaner/conditioner designed for furniture ... although I've used both and they seem to be the same thing packaged in a different bottle, lol.

It does a great job of cleaning up your leather furniture though, and also keeps it conditioned and "moisturized" so to speak so that you avoid getting that dried out cracked leather look.