Lucky you. I can't remember pre Rufus days. He is 4.5 years now, and he changed my life in so many ways. You asked about gardening cockers. I have one. This is how I coped. Firstly, I accepted the odd little bit of help was inevitable. Yes, he did come and dig a hole next to mine, and then remove the plant I had just put in. He also buried everything, and still does. I created his own exciting wild area down by the shed and compost, and have left bare soil areas in places which don't matter. I should probably been stricter, but because he has a dog flap (which he found when it was the cat flap) within an hour of arriving at 8 weeks, he is out in the garden on his own. I also use barriers to stop the routine runs which can be so destructive of plants in borders.
He absolutely hated his puppy pen and howled relentlessly when put in it. He loved his crate, and still does use it.
