Mm - the main thing you need to learn is how to do the Voice of Doom. Then you can say 'Off' like you mean it. They learn the boundaries as long as you cultivate a healthy relationship with them and are consistent. You don't need to make it any more complicated than that, really.......
Totally agree 👍
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I concur, ours will stay out of the borders, a firm 'No' whenever she went on them, didnt take long for her to figure out. The only time she ventures in is when there is a rabbit in them, then the training goes out of the window!
Thanks everyone - really helpful. It's confirmed what I hoped, that it's reasonable - and feasible - to not allow her in the flower beds even though the cats of course have free rein. She seems pretty biddable so far, and the "Voice of Doom" (love that phrase!) already stops her in her tracks when heading for the cats' food bowls so fingers crossed! I'm really looking forward to her company when I'm at work in the garden. I've been even harder at it than usual this spring, getting ready for NGS inspection, so it will be good to slow down a bit and smell the roses/explore an ants' nest etc with her. She's called Lilly, and she's a cavapoo. Stood out among her litter mates for being much more spanielly than most - beautiful! Thanks again everyone.
Voice of Doom - wonderful phrase, I love it! You soon learn when your pup is trying it on, as they are smart enough to push boundaries, and when it’s just a lapse in memory. As a pup ours would rush around like a whirling dervish, and then just keel over completely comatose. We found him in all sorts of odd places!
But he grew up and we rarely have to use the voice of doom now.
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Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm really looking forward to her company when I'm at work in the garden. I've been even harder at it than usual this spring, getting ready for NGS inspection, so it will be good to slow down a bit and smell the roses/explore an ants' nest etc with her.
She's called Lilly, and she's a cavapoo. Stood out among her litter mates for being much more spanielly than most - beautiful!
Thanks again everyone.