If you are lucky enough to live close to a beach, or lake, then swimming is the best form of exercise, especailly for puppies. You can also divert attention and increase your dogs enjoyment by alternating between swimming and digging.

You need two floating toys, and a jar of Marmite or peanut butter. (But be warned your hands will be a mess! Just wash them when you are done in the sea or lake)

While your dog is in the water bury a float toy (lightly smeared with marmite (or yeast extract), sometimes peanut butter) in the sand. When your dog comes out of the water simply tap your foot at the recently buried item and let him start digging. Give loads of encouragement to start off, but he will soon work out the game.

Once he has discovered the booty he will want you to throw it into the water, (forgetting about the float toy he has just taken from the water.)

The secret, if there is one, is not too smear too much on the buried toy, otherwise - as I have found, he will happily swim around for ages - enjoying both the swim and the taste of the toy!

After a while you will work out just how much to smear on - to get them to dig, and just how little to smear on to stop them for staying too long in the water.

All dogs love routine and can quickly work out the game. Swim, dig, swim, dig, (by ten) is what you are looking for. Eventually they will tire of pleasing you and themselves, and it will be time for home! Both you and your Lagotto will have had a great day out and your dog will expect the same game the next time you go to 'his' beach or lakeside.

I love your photos,yes we are very lucky to live near the beach and Charlie loves to swim but I had stopped for a while as when he finally comes out he runs off to chase dried seaweed blowing in the wind and won't come when called but I have been using your trick with the marmite (our version is vegemite)in his kong and he loves it (hates peanut butter)so I will set aside some time to see if can get this game to work for us.thanks and I'll let you know how we go
Marianne and my little monster Charlie

Lagotto's will also dig for cheese

I foolishly started a search game, for cheese, in my garden. But had to stop as he was doing to much damage!

Oh my thats funny! Lottie is going though the chewing stage at the moment.Runs off with item hides it then has a chewing session when she thinks no one is looking. The down side is that she has also managed to chew three cushions ! its amazing how quickly she does it!

I can't resist telling a Charlie story.I had decided to take out the in ground garden lighting as is wasn't working and Charlie had decided that eating it was good fun .I spent the day pulling out the wires,taking the lanterns apart putting it all very neatly into a box,checked I had it all while Charlie played around me, satisfied I had it all I took it to the tip,all good.The next night Charlie was happily munching something on his mat,there he was with one of the lanterns looking very pleased with himself and I had to do a food exchange to get him to part with it.The next day I did a very thorough check of the garden and it was clear of lanterns, over the week he brought in 3 more I still don't know were he had hidden them but I think he's got me on toast!!! Cheers Marianne

Hey we all know who good these Lagotto's can dig, we are building a shed and Occhi and my other dogs have discovered a grub we call "Cockshaffers" the equivalent to us I think would be prawns or oysters, they adore them. The look on the face and paws afterwards is not so good though. Necia