Yesterday I was hoeing a large new border. You can imagine how this looked to Jasper - lots of lovely fresh bare earth, Mum looks like she'd appreciate some help because she's getting nowhere with that digging... cue Jasper trying to head to Australia
'Ah ah, no', I said, with a firm look and raised finger. And he stopped. And went to do something else instead. He was back a few minutes later but again, I just politely pointed out that I didn't want any help, and he stopped. For such an impetuous dog who is never at his most obedient in the garden, this was quite something
'Ah ah no' may not be positive, but I'm convinced that through all the positive training and bond forming we've done, I can ask him politely not to do something (I might even say 'please'
), and he will listen, not feel he's even been 'told off', and choose to do as I ask. I'm not sure shouting 'NO!!!' has ever got through to him - I don't think he shuts down, it's more like he filters it out. In one ear, out the other, missing the brain completely 
