Dog gets on furniture when were gone

Question
Hi,
My wife and I have a 5yr old black lab who likes to get on the couch when we're gone. It's hard for us to even catch him on the couch to correct him because he gets on after we leave and is usually off before we get home. We know he's up there though because the pillows are always knocked over and we have caught him a few times. We do not allow him on the furniture when we're home and he does not jump otherwise. We've tried the spray repellant with a little success. Should we use that continually for a couple of weeks and break him of the habit or do you have a better idea?

Thanks,
Nick

Answer
Some dogs are like some people, you can't trust them behind you back.  Yes an intensive campaign with the repellent may work.  There are also the plastic runners with the points on the bottom.  Placed points up, they will keep some dogs off the furniture.  You could try mousetraps.  It would take several to protect the a whole sofa.  We have had varying luck with them.  One bad experience getting snapped is enough to make some dogs leave things on the table or counter alone.  Others become adept at taking things without setting the mousetrap off. I once tied a mousetrap to a cracker with a string.  The dog was very surprised when the mousetrap came down too.  Another dog discovered they only have one snap, and would nip at one until he set it off.  He would then prance off with his prize.