I Think Scooter Might Be Getting Better

[lotsadox]

I have an 85 (or maybe 86?) year old neighbor whose son comes to visit and brings his dog. As soon as the dog arrives (or sometimes before) Scooter becomes obsessed with looking thru the fence for the dog. Then when it appears he has to go into a barking frenzy growling and barking and scratching at the fence, as does the dog on the other side of the fence T

he normal routine is: The dog arrives, Scooter goes crazy, I go out with a leash and bring Scooter in and lock the doggie door until the dog leaves. I had noticed that he was better and would sometimes come in when I went downstairs and opened the door and called him (after the whole barking frenzy thing). Last weekend, he was over there nosing around the fence and I could see the other dog in my neighbor's yard. I called to Scooter from the upstairs deck and told him to get in the house and he did it! :faint: I thought it was probably just a fluke but gave him lots of praise for being so good. The next day the same thing happened and he came away from the fence when the DH called him.

Do you think he could finally be learning to come away from the fence and not be so obsessed with the other dog? He's been doing this for 6 years and I'd pretty much given up on him ever getting any better about it.

[Red Haired Girl]

Maybe it is a girl dog and age has taken its toll on her so he is losing interest. It happens.

[Lisa]

I do think they can change and get better, it is so hard to break the pattern so to you and Jim. I am very happy to read that he is getting better. Yay Scoots!

[lotsadox]

I do think they can change and get better, it is so hard to break the pattern so to you and Jim. I am very happy to read that he is getting better. Yay Scoots!

I'm thinking it was less our efforts and more just the fact that he's getting older and isn't as barky as when he was younger. It took him long enough to grow up

[Rae]

maybe he just doesn't shive a git anymore?
OR maybe it is completely due to your superior training efforts.

[jenfer]

maybe he just doesn't shive a git anymore?
OR maybe it is completely due to your superior training efforts.

That.