Why is it that when we want our Beagles to learn do something we have to reward the behaviour over and over before they start to get the message. Yet when we don’t want them to repeat something just one itteration and it’s carved in stone in the Beagle rule book?

Take a couple of weeks ago for example. Beanie had pulled a nail slightly during some rough play. She had a couple of days enforced rest, an all-clear from the vet and then it was business as usual. A few days later she woke up at 5am and was obviously in quite a bit of pain. I got her some metacalm from the kitchen, and as it can’t be given on an empty stomach, came back through to the bedroom with sausage sandwiches for both of them (Biggles doesn’t like to miss out on anything). Of course, the new rule-that-can-never-be-broken-ever is that at 5am precisely you bang on the crate door and mum goes out to the kitchen for sausage sandwiches. Always! (Beanie’s sore paw turned out to be a nailbed infection which was cleared up quickly by some anti-biotics).

Another day Biggles had been so preoccupied on his walk that he didn’t get his share of the treats. Biggles was in the kitchen with me after the walk and Beanie was in the bedroom. I took the opportunity to redress the balance. I told him “shhhhh” while I quietly opened the cupboard door and took out a whole slice of bread and gave it to him. His eyes were like saucers and his tail wagged like a little propeller. That was quite a few weeks ago now yet still I can’t say “shhhh” or take out a loaf of bread with out Biggles’ tail wagging in anticipation. And of course, Beanie knows what the sound of his tail banging against the furniture means so she comes running to get her share!

So you can imagine the trouble we’ve had today after yesterday’s treats. “Where’s our turkey dinner?”, “It’s boxing day – where’s our box full of pressies?”, “Why won’t you spend hours and hours playing with us in the garden?”. Of course, it sounds more like whining, barking and scratching at doors to the untrained ear.

So we decided to take them somewhere new for their walk in the hope of stimulating them and tiring them out. Eglington Park is only 10 minutes down the road so we decided to check it out. Beanie and Biggles loved it – full of interesting country smells. I think it’s going to be one of our regular walks.

Exploring the ruins of Eglington Castle:

Weather permitting we’ll all be heading up to Rumbling Bridge tomorrow for a special Christmas Lure Coursing get together. I decided to bake a special sardine Christmas Cake with liver pate icing for the occasion. Judging by Beanie and Biggles behaviour tonight I think it’s a good ‘un. They’ve been howling and whining franticly all evening. Even my Christmas turkey didn’t get that response!