A new regime. Old dogs and new tricks?

For 4 years prior to moving onto MR we lived on our caravan for 7 months of the year and then we've spent the last nearly 5 years on MR. Both of these homes have very limited floor space and we have, therefore, encouraged the dogs onto the furniture so that we can move around without tripping over them. Now, those of you I haven't managed to bore to death, will know that we've recently splashed quite a bit of money sprucing up MR and this is what was happening to new cushions, soft furnishings, etc (the actual new upholstery is under these stripey throws that G made up to give the new stuff some protection)

G also raised the fire which puts it at a lovely height for Daisy to toast her feet - right where everyone needs to put their feet/paws when coming in and out - it's a right pain, but I did say old dogs not old cats.

There's nothing Muttley likes more than to scoop up all the cushions together with his wack-wacks and teddy and then climb on top

The long and the short of it is that we're fed up of dogs leaving grubby trails across the chairs and dinette so we decided to banish them to the floor. We turned the stool upside down to protect the chair nearest the fire.

Mmm.......................that worked well then; Baxter does so love a chin rest

We turned our back for two minutes and they both climbed onto the other chair

but, with gentle encouragement and consistency, they have  adjusted to the new regime remarkably well.

To assist the consistency I have had to use the fly swat on Graham now and then but, considering Baxter has spent 9 years living on furniture and Muttley has spent all his life, I was amazed

I was, however, a little concerned about Baxter being chilly despite thick beds and sheepskins as he tends to feel the cold; so one additional purchase was required

 His new Aran

"I used to sleep up here, but now I,m not allowed"