Scooter asks to go outside to either a) pee and poop or b) sunbathe. Other than that, he’d rather be inside in his bed or on my lap.
Let’s just say that he’s not a farm dog.
Which is why the other afternoon, when I let him out to do his business, I was surprised to see this behavior. Extended air sniffing.
I didn’t see or hear anything, but I’m only human.
About an hour later, this coyote sauntered by the front field.
Another coyote was seen going the other direction into the woods. This one, though (who I think is Spot, who I last saw at the end of August) took his time.
He then trotted up the hill towards the house, and then down the driveway. This is one of the many reasons why Scooter is always supervised when outside!
Coyotes frequently pass through Turtle Hill on their way here and there. However, yesterday Scooter was back to sniffing the air, pointed in the same direction as last time.
Perhaps the coyotes are creating a home base in our back woods? Even our not-a-farm-dog knows more than me!
I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of Spot this winter.
(Thanks to Steve for the coyote photos.)
Benny does the same. He sniffs the air. I know when he smells something off, he turns around and heads back to the house. I am hyper vigilant with him. NEVER outside alone and always on leash. Our property is completely fenced but that means nothing to the coyotes.
Even your llama can’t keep little Benny safe 🙂
So glad you watch Scooter close. Where I lived in Texas you wouldn’t dare leave a small dog out at night alone, even in a fenced in yard. Scooter isn’t really safe even in his little fenced area without supervision.
I’ve also lost baby pigs to coyotes that jumped or climbed over a five foot board fence and carried some of them off before we heard the commotion and went out and ran them off.
The only thing that fence does is to keep Scooter safely within view and close to me! Without it he’d be trit-trotting happily into the woods.
I know about the superfine senses of hearing, smelling of the animals but never thought it could be from such a distance. Hooray for our precious Scooter to have such a protective mom, would love to have him close to me too 🙂
Interesting how the coyotes come so close to your place during daytime, they must feel the owners of Turtle Hill are animal lovers.
Yes, many animals can detect scent from a great distance. Even horses and turtles! Its a way they find water, among other things.
Love the video of Scooter sniffing. I have never seen a dog do so much sniffing of the air.
Some breeds of dogs focus on ground scents. Some are air scenters. Not sure about Scooter! 🙂