How can I repair these damaged couches?

Laura St Romain
by Laura St Romain

Hometalkers HELP!!!my 10 month old lab has destroyed almost all my worldly possessions. Can anyone help me begin to repair the damages??

This is the bottom of the seating part of the love seat. Material is shredded and you can see the floor beneath the couch. I have no idea how to begin.......or end.

Here is one of the three cushions he ripped open. They all looked the same.

Fabric tape?? Is there such a thing?

Sorry the dog hit my camera while taking the pic ........and broke it! So no more pictures....BUT

Its the cushion of yet another love seat. The tear/ rip is about 3 inches long and the stuffing he pulled out with his teeth

AND the cushions do not come off. They ire “one with the couch “ so no moving them to repair! Can ANYONE help??

  7 answers
  • Allison Allison on Oct 07, 2019

    Holy macaroni! I hope you will crate train that guy until he gets over this behavior. No bedding in that crate, just a towel for now. Wear him out, with a game of fetch or something, before you put him in there. You can recover the cushions that are removable. For the others, get a sofa cover (they make stretchy ones that fit really well and stay put) and some fiber matting. You have another 10 months or more of this behavior to deal with. Redirect him from eating your things with soft toys. If you have old jeans, cut them up and knot them. When he goes for your things, give him something he is suppose to have. Labs are second only to Boxers for destroying things in their teenage year. Stay strong, this too shall pass.

    • Laura St Romain Laura St Romain on Oct 08, 2019

      Thanks so much.

      I can not recover as that material is not available. I would like to sew it up, patch it and put that side in free bottom. Just wondering the best and effective way to do that! Thanks for the doggie input.

  • Em Em on Oct 07, 2019

    Since this is under the cushions a repair should not be that tough. Use upholstery material (that is tougher weave than other material) try JoAnn fabrics to get a grey or tan and stitch a piece over the holes making a folded over seam (fold 1/2 to one inch edge under) and stitch to existing material. Since the batting is torn up you can cut a thin piece of foam and tack that in place before you cover with material, that should keep the foam in place and you should be good to go. Make the back side long enough to tuck some excess down behind the seat edge.

  • PAMELA PAMELA on Oct 07, 2019

    This is a major undertaking, unless it is a very unique coach..don't bother, start looking for bargains at the Salvation Army, Goodwill and other donation locations. You will need to go often, You can also paint new colors on fabric. The couch you have has a fabric that is so far gone. Do not loose sleep over it..go looking for bargain replacements.

    • See 2 previous
    • Laura St Romain Laura St Romain on Oct 08, 2019

      Thank you Em. I wholeheartedly agree. I’m not sure what someone meant by writing the material on this couch is so far gone......I got this couch from my mom less than 5 years ago, it’s relatively new and was unscathed until Sam ate my couch. I love it. It’s a constant mom reminder and I love that!! So thanks.

      Do you know HOW to repair it from underneath? I truly believe all cN be repaired without much attention being drawn to it. I’m determined and this couch means something to me. I never thought I would be emotionally attached to furniture but I am and I will keep looking for the answer. Thanks again!

  • Are you training? Start there before you even attempt to stat repairing your furniture. They are high energy dogs which require a lot of exercise, walks and play time. An exhausted dog is less likely to destroy your belongings. Talk to your vet about training, Google or hire a trainer. If you don't, it will be a lifetime of destruction.

    • See 4 previous
    • Excellent! You are on the right track. We just rescued a lab, for those same exact reasons. My ex husband is now retired and he takes the dogs every morning on at least an hour walk/run, typically 2 hours. And an evening walk when it gets cooler. Still in the 90's here. They keep teasing us that it will get cooler . . . And he has a decent sized property for them to play and lots of playmates! They recently "upped" us to 4 dogs per household and we are now full up in rescue dogs. I still only have 3, plus other pets and can't afford to take on any more as much as I would love to. It's not the food, it's the vet bills, wellness visits and everything else. And we can't travel together unless it is camping. Pet sitters don't want to take on our menagerie. It's a lot of work!

  • Archie Archie on Oct 07, 2019

    First thing is to get rid of the puppy.

  • Maureen McAteer Vasily Maureen McAteer Vasily on Oct 07, 2019

    You will need to completely recover your sofa. The time and energy that takes is only worth it if this is a sofa that has meaning to you. Otherwise, it is a waste of time, materials, and energy.


    Now, having said that, I'll tell you how I learned to redo my sofa and chair when they needed attention. First: I went to several local libraries and took out a variety of books on repairing, reupholstering furniture. I learn best using pictures and detailed descriptions. I was so proud to do a great job on my mom's furniture! What one book described another used different techniques...put together I had the solutions for the problems. I wish you well.


  • Lilly Fraser Lilly Fraser on Oct 08, 2019

    I bought Sure Fit furniture covers and I put my retriever in a large crate. She got out of one but not another. She ate new couch, loveseat and tables. I was paying on them and they were destroyed. I use table cloths now and furniture covers.When she knocked the pillows off she ate inside the couch so I bought a repair board at Bed Bath and Beyond and one on Amazon to fix the foundation. She is a Chesapeake Bay retriever a chocolate curly coat and should be hunting, not waiting in my condo alone while I work. I may take her to doggy daycare on my next raise but crate til then. And frozen Kongs and Kong full of peanut butter. She is perfectly house trained at least. I have to buy the strong jaw chews for her. They say indestructible but not for her. All the local pet marts are very helpful. She is a huge female . Sorry, Honeybear. Crate for you . This is not her picture. That is who I bought her to replace . The pitbull died, she was a perfect girl. Then I got Honey the Terror. Lilly

    • Lilly Fraser Lilly Fraser on Oct 08, 2019

      yes I had 1 trainer but she was awful. She charged 30 an hour too ! Now we are going to a dog training school on Saturdays. Honey is a real sweetheart. I go to work at 520am and my brother comes by at 10 and sits w-her til 220. He let's her out of the crate w-his Belgian shepherd and they play outback. Then he goes to work and I get home at 3 usually. But she is still crated 4 hours and then until I get home. My brother said she is asleep when he gets there. I got pet insurance on her too because my pitbull bills were earthshaking for liver failure. I am still not over her. Thanks so much! I really enjoyed hearing from you. Lilly