When your dog's a role model :-)

**Djc1249** · 04-23-2006, 09:06 AM

Our neighbor's 2 yo brittany spaniel, Chance, started coming into the yard to play with Tucker (1 yo). He'd never come near us, though. Over time the visits became more frequent. Now it's a habit...most every day, he comes up the front deck steps and stands at the door waiting for Tucker. Tucker either senses him or hears him, whines, and I let him out, and off the guys go for a great time of playing and running all over the yard and nearby field. I started calling him to me when I call Tucker, and give them both a treat; now Chance will come to me to be petted. I throw balls for both of them, too. Tucker brings his back....Chance runs home with his. ;D

Chance's owner came over the other day, and we got to talking. He said "Chance has changed...he's become more like a dog". ;D He said Chance has always been pretty wild, wouldn't listen, etc., but now he's listening more, he'll come better, and he likes chasing and playing with balls. The guy watched me give them both a treat, and said he didn't know Chance liked treats!

He said he's wondered where balls laying in his yard were coming from, and he'll throw them back into our yard now when he sees 'em.

Just before he went home, Chance found a spot in the yard and started digging. The neighbor said "See that? He's never dug before!" I told him....."oops, he probably learned that from Tucker too".

**Paula** · 04-23-2006, 09:19 AM

How does the dog get into your yard to get to the door? Do they just let him run the roads like that?

**Djc1249** · 04-23-2006, 09:26 AM

He lives next-door....our homes are separated by large pine trees; he comes through the pines. We don't live on a road; we live up a private lane off of a road. There are only 5 homes up here. We're surrounded by open farm land and woods.

But yes, they let him out and he wanders. If they're outside with him, he stays in his yard, unless he's up here. I'm very lucky, though....Tucker stays on his own property, and when Chance goes home, or goes wandering, Tucker just watches, but doesn't follow.