Can we go out and play please?

Over the last few days the weather has improved and the pups are now big enough to be let out into the garden without constant supervision. They love being outside and chase each other up and down the decking. After a few minutes, they stop and explore a bit. Brinkley enjoys finding sticks to carry, Brandy seems to enjoy eating the bark we have down. While they are out in the garden they can hear lots of new noises, other dogs barking, traffic, car doors banging and every new noise has them stopping to listen. Yesterday a plane flew over and Brinkley looked up and followed it across the sky. As yet we haven’t had any birds come into the garden while they are out and fortunately none of the cats that previously used our garden as a pathway have been in while they have been out. I think the 2 of them are now big enough that if they ran towards a cat it would turn and leave - pronto, but I would rather not put that theory to the test.

It hasn’t taken them long to know that when I rattle the keys to the door it means they can go out and if they sit by the door it generally means we let them out. Brinkley has also learned that if he sits outside at the door he gets let in, quite a quick little learner this one. In order to get them to come when called, we have been rewarding them with treats, if they do come when called. Trouble is, Brinkley will come when called and as soon has he has had his treat he darts back outside again on the basis that next time he comes in, he’ll get another treat. Brandy tends not to come in when called, he just throws a deaf ear and it can take 2 or 3 attempts before he responds, but he just hasn't realised how to play the system yet, and Brinkley's not going to give him any tips.