Is there a reason why cloud (clumber spaniel) consistently jumps on my 2 year old twin boys and drags them along the gardem whilst holding onto a part of there clothing? Aslo it chews anything it gets its hands ono even though its got numerous toys and bones

I'm sure someone will give lots of good advice about places in packs etc., so I'll move on to the clumber aspect. It could be that she is mouthing them and the sheer bulk of her is what is doing the dragging.

How old is she? They do like to "mouth" things and unless they're told "no" very firmly they will try and get hold of the bottom of your clothes, or mouth your hand. I always make the towel hound sit still before rubbing her chest to say hello - this seems to calm her down.

With the chewing - you will need to establish what can and can't be chewed. Do you want to work her? Coz if so, you have to be very careful about how you get things back from her. Try spraying the things she shouldn't chew (like chairs, stairs etc.) with bitter spray from a pet shop and when she starts, say "no" and give her something she can chew and then praise her when she chews that. Nylabones work really well, although TH gets through them fairly quickly.

It's worth remembering that clumbers don't like being told off, so you have to say "no" firmly but fairly and then back up good behaviour with lots and lots of praise. They can be really really bossy dogs as well (as my browbeaten collie will testify), so you do have to work to maintain the hierarchy.

I am not an expert (as all here will agree!), but I do have a fairly young clumber, so if you'd like to e-mail me, feel free.

9th