Suz, this probably isn't the advice you want but I'll tell you what worked for me. And you're right--they are little angels when we're home but take advantage of us leaving LOL. I caved in! When I'd leave the house I'd throw an old sheet over the couch & love seat and let him sleep there if he wanted! We, too, had adopted an older rescue and the saying is true: can't teach an old dog new tricks. If we had gotten him as a puppy, I would have trained him not to get on furniture. (Please know my couch & love seat are not new--pretty ugly BTW). I hope someone has some REAL advice for you, not my "oh, he's comfortable, let him be" advice. Thank you for adopting an older dog--not many people do!