as skycat says dogs get programed easily mine are in a routine and if anythings differnt they ley you know it, not loudly like as they know that would get a response from me they didnt want. mine go out for an afternoon mooch everyday for an hour or two if i havent got time to do this i put them in the van drive them around the block, park up and walk then up and down the lane then back in the van and home. sounds daft but it fools them into thinking theyve been out for their usual run as for night time, mine seem to have a sixth sense and know whot im planning, they will lay down in the run