Hi Mark
Have you noticed Chester changing in personality/nature. Archie has definitely changed ... for the better ... over the last month. He's much more obedient first time round, he's not as yappy but still loves to 'chat' in that lagotto yodelling way. He's just more settled recently and I don't know whether it's just him or that fact that my mum (who watches him during the working day) has a new 5 month old cross collie/mountain dog puppy who's now acting the fool. Whatever it is, I'm glad and he's just a different wee dog, much more affectionate and more likely to lay down beside you and allow a stroke.

Hi Lynne, actually I have noticed a difference recently. About 3 months ago Chester became most disobedient, we could not understand why. He would sometimes ignore calls to 'come', which he had always obeyed from the very early days.

However; I have also recently learnt of the 30 times rule, in that a dog needs the repetition of 30 times in order for it to sink in. In the past I realise that I did not persevere enough and may have given up around 20 times, thinking he is too young to get this, or I am doing something wrong.

In relation to affection, as a puppy I used to have to hold him, sitting on the floor, with him trapped between my legs - in order to tickle his tummy and calm him down. Of course at that time all he wanted to do was chew my hands! Simply getting him to stay still for a few moments was a challenge. But the effort was worth it.

Chester now loves a cuddle, 3 months ago, he only allowed me to cuddle him on my lap. Now all members of the family can do this. Indeed my brother called around recently and despite the fact that he is not a 'doggy' person, Chester started with the head on his knee, one paw up, another paw up and then he jumped up and enjoyed a tickle. My bro was immediately converted!!!

Hi Mark
It is very hard when they are so cute as puppies that you simply cannot cuddle them as you wish ... I know that Gael has said that they aren't large lap-dogs but small gundogs and she's right. Archie is getting more and more affectionate and allows a cuddle for a very short period of time. He does love a stroke though and will happily sit on the floor in front of you and allow you to play with his curls

The marmite lathered toy no longer works. BUT I have found something that does work, it is called Pet Corrector.

This afternoon, my wife and I took Chester to a country park. He knows this route and usually starts to squeal/yelp/yodel at a certain location. When he started to squeal I let loose a short blast of air, not at him but pointing down. (It is the hissing noise that works not the blast of air.) He immediately became quiet and I then rewarded him with a treat - for being quiet. Ten seconds later he started up again. So I repeated the exercise.

This was repeated another four or five times, until we reached our destination. What was a nightmare journey is now bliss

However; when I took him out later in the day the safety ramps on the road near the local park I take him to were still a trigger for his yodelling. I had to give the pet corrector 4 goes before he became quiet. And as I was by myself I was unable to reward him with a treat and the reward was just me telling him he was a good boy. But he was quiet.

I have been told that dogs require 30 repetitions (Leerburg ) so clearly I have work still to do. But it seems that this high powered hiss, works, at least for me and my dog

Some details from the web site about the product
:
Snakes, insects and birds such as geese, use their hiss sound to drive off predators and our domesticated pets have an instinctive sensitivity to this sound.

The Pet Corrector emits a hiss of air which mimics this sound, to interrupt undesirable behaviours in dogs such as jumping up or stealing. There is a detailed training guide included, with helpful training tips and key dos and don't's. It is important that the Pet Corrector is used responsibly and that alternative desirable behaviours are rewarded.

(I have no affiliation with this company, I share this simply for information.)