Oh, and one thing I almost forgot to add - the most important part is to be stubborn about the training! Don;t give up or give in, ever. English Bulldogs vary in temperament, so are not always docile, as you have discovered, but the one thing they all DO seem to have i common is a stubborn streak as wide as that bully grin!

And keeping him off the furniture is simple if he's on a leash, and a few pieces of cardboard propped in front of things while training is happening can help. Persist, but patient and consistent, and you will have a great, great dog! How many people are in the house? How old is your stepson?