Update on last night!

Put all 3 dogs in the sitting room, went to bed and read for half an hour (dog book).

Dear hubby - pessimist that he is said - wait for the howling and scratching at the gate. Well l waited and absolutely nothing.

When l got up in the night l heard Seiger (heavy paws) move closer to the gate but nothing. They were quiet all night and the only thing that set them off was at 6-45am the dogs next door had a good old barking session in their garden.

After l had let them out l noticed that one of them probably Scamper weed by the patio door and it was a lot , so l think that he had only done this in the morning after a full bladder. Also Seiger (suprisingly) did a poo on my laminate flooor. Hubby says it is a protest poo for being kicked out of the bedroom.

All in all l would say it was an amazing success. Hopefully it was'nt a fluke but I am keeping them and future dogs downstairs from now on. Thank you Karen, l would'nt have even tried to do this ever.

Today l am giving the stair carpet the brush of its lifetime and then fitting the baby gate at the bottom. That will stop them getting upstairs but allow the cats to jump over to safety. It will also stop them trying to eat hubbys face flannel (YUK).

I have been on my first walk of the day and decided to be tough with Scamper. I was'nt having any of his avoidance tactics and so l saddled him up with the rest (gave them a titbit once they were done) and off we went.

He did drag behind but l just kept encouraging him until we got to the bit where l let them off the leash. He played around quite happily so l think it is all to do with the lead and halti and not agrophobia.

When it was time to pop them back on their leads, l decided not to connect Scampers halti. Instead of dragging behind he then almost took the lead over Schmoo. He kept pulling to the side and leaning that way so l guess he hates the halti and does want to do his own thing - right again Karen.

I have already changed the leads over for the next walk. I will still keep Seiger on one side on his own as he was forever tripping over Schmoo. He walks really well until we meet another dog.

I have one of those hands free leads that you can put round your waist and let the dog just follow on. I have found that if l twist it round to the back left side and attach Schmoo to it - he walks quite well on his own at my side, so he is going to go on that.

I will have Scamper on my left on a lead so l can tweak him and get him to walk to heal. Hopefully that will work.

Of course my ever faithful and unfashionable bum bag is always with me. I found those little treat bags to be quite usless. I carry poo bags, my mobil phone (in case of emergency) and a bag full of treats. Today l had chopped up chicken and it actually saved me from a confrontation!

One of the village hunter ladies was cycling up towards me. She would have got to me before l could have got all 3 on a lead. Scamper gave a little warning bark when he spotted her but l just called all 3 to me and waved a piece of chicken under their noses. All 3 turned round when she cycled past and said hello but they were quickly back to seeing what was in my hand. I gave them all a piece and praised them up. It was a total sucess and l felt quite pround that they were not going to be the talk of the village.

Anyway l've raved on yet again! Good job this is'nt a talking forum as no one would get a word in edgeways!!! I hope l am not boring you all by the way- it's just that l am making major changes and trying to be pack leader and the advice l am getting is really helping.

Karen are you a proffessional behavourist? You really sound like you know your stuff. Have you dogs of your own?

Anyway got to go again. Hubby says that l am either working with the dogs or on this forum. What he means is he is running out of socks and he might have to use the washing machine!!!! ttfn xxx Kitty