He's allowed on furniture but not on the bed (though lately he's been getting up there while we're at work!). The trouble is, we LIKE cuddling with him on the couch. I don't always like getting down on the floor with him when I want to pet and hug him.

I hope that my being firm with him everywhere else will mean that we can continue letting him up on the furniture. He seems to respond well to the firmness. Like you were with Buddy, I'm just no-nonsense, not mean. After all, it was enough of an adjustment for me to be firm with him!

He definitely hasn't been at his best lately, but he's a smart dog and I know he can do better.