Number 1 - do not let them out together unless you are there to supervise - when supervising have a can with three or four coins or pebbles in it and as soon as any dog shows interest in a flower bed THROW the can so it lands near the dog in question - do NOT shake the can, THROW it! The whole idea behind this can thing is that the dog does not connect the can and the horrible noise to you. If you stand and shake the can the dogs will realise it is only you making a noise and they can get used to that really quickly! When you throw the can (have several in reserve!) do not aim to hit the dog but get it close and as near as possible to the dog's target.

Number 2 - Never attempt to remove plants from the dogs' mouths, especially not with a ball - dogs' will think - bring green stuff, get game! Yeeehaa! I'll remember that and the next time we are out here and fancy a game all we have to do is take the boss some flowers!! (What they are probably thinking is that you like them bringing you plants because you reward them with a game every time they bring you one!)

Number 3. - Prepare to have the neighbourhood talking about you going crazy! Buy an artificial Christmas tree this year - it only needs to be cheap - cut it up into plant sized fronds and "plant" these in your flower beds. Every time you let the dogs out together, use the cans of coins or stones BUT if one of the dogs brings you a plant (Christmas tree frond) you can make a big thing of walking away from that dog without noticing that it has greenery in it's mouth - the dog will, of couirse, follow you - you then cross your arms, look up to the sky and go inside, closing the door on the dogs for two minutes. Don't peek through the window or watch them in any way - go outside agian - if both dogs have plants in their mouths or at their feet (as if they have just dropped them) you pretend that the dogs are not even there., walk for a few seconds around the garden and go back inside for four minutes. If one dog has a plant then you make a fuss of the other one and totally ignore the offender - leave the offender outside on his own for the four minutes but take the innocent one with you. Keep this up for a couple of days and the dogs will get the message.