Scout made the trip up from Maryland. And Jennifer - Scout's owner - also brought his aunt, Stella, along as well but left her at the hotel so Scout and Chloe could meet. She told us that Scout should not be listed a rescue because the organization also helps out JRT owner when they need to part with their terrier. As I started in an earlier blog, Laurie and I talked about another JRT preferably a male broken coat and he fits the requirements.
They arrived around three in the afternoon. After being removed from his travel crate, we saw and met Scout. First impressions, lots of energy and lots of anxiety. He in a new place with sounds, smells, visual, and was basically overwhelmed. He was showed happiness and uncertainty by reading body language. I don't know if Jennifer was feeling the same way but you could clearly see it Scout. He was certainly happy to be meet new people that is for sure. He was raw, full of life, full of energy, untapped, and pure because most of his life he has been in a crate most of the day and yes, he gets his outside activity when time is available so you could see what happens when one doesn't have the time towards a higher energy level breed. Jennifer knew her limits - good for her! - From what she told me about Stella, she was the exact opposite but it seems that Scout's traits are passing down to her. 
After several minutes, I told Jennifer that Chloe was in the window so we went to the area where she could see us. I think that was a mistake on my part because it showed a dog in her territory as an intruder so she got excited and barked which escalated Scout to even higher heights. Jennifer had told me prior to the meeting about his two type of barks: a high bark when is his excited and a low bark when he is being protective. He did the former. Mistake number 1 never do that to a untrained dog. She tried to control him but to no avail, he was jumping and pulling although he did start to slow after several minutes. Then I decided to bring out Chloe. She started to get excited and then I brought her level back down. Scout moved towards her and it pushed Chloe over the threshold and she was on the defensive and going towards him.
Lesson:
Two reactive dogs (one overly confident and the other not so confident) equal a heightened situation which could be bad.
During the episode, Chloe must've ran into Scouts paw or jaw as she had a slight cut under her eye. She yelped for a bit and stopped. Jennifer wanted Chloe to sniff Scout but his energy level was way too high for her. I told Chloe to sit and she did while Jennifer was trying to calm down Scout. Once he got into a controllable situation, she turned him so Chloe could sniff him which she did. Several minutes has past and both dogs started to calm down. And more attempts to sniff Scout.
It was cold and it was time to get in the house. Jennifer had a death grip on Scout's harness and for those that don't know dog will pull in the opposite direction thus making it worse. I forgot what its called but not all dogs like a harness. I told her to let him. And he was off like a child in a toy store walking fast in the house being an inquisitive explorer that he is. To the kitchen and to the rooms upstairs he was everywhere! Chloe first followed him around and went on the couch with a look of disbelief and just didn't know what to think. You could here Scout rummaging about stairs and then he would come downstairs and go behind the recliners and he found an old soup bone. Then he was coffee table and end table surfing. Meanwhile, Chloe can't make up her mind to follow or just stay put. It was obvious his energy was bothering her yet several minutes she settled down and just laid on the couch. Scout would bring out toys out of the bin in the other room. Jennifer bring out his favorite toy and see if Chloe wanted to play with him. He didn't even bother with it because he has been already pushed over this threshold and instincts are just taking over. She was certainly right, Scout does rule her household. I wasn't there to critique her handling or ownership skills but I was there to observe and assess Scout.
When Chloe rang the bell - Jennifer was just amazed by that - to go potty, Laurie took her out and I noticed that Scout's energy level went up and started to whine, he has separation anxiety which makes sense by the way he has been living for the past several years. The Riley, the husky, exhibits the same behavior because he is still living that same type of life. And he too, hasn't had training, boundaries, and structure. Do you see the trend?
She told us he knows 'sit and down' and since he wanted to play fetch we asked him to do something first before getting what he wants. Then I raised the bar and started to ask him to look at him, which he did. There is no doubt he is a highly intelligent dog its just untapped. He just doesn't know what to do with himself in this type of situation. Had he had some training earlier in life it would not be as bad.
As the hours mounted up, the atmosphere was starting to change into a calmer and quieter state. I think everyone in the room was mentally drained by watching Scout. He kept wanting to figure out a way around the kiddie gate which he managed to drop. But Scout's demeanor and I started to see the another side of him in which Jennifer probably sees every day. As I was playing guard patrol and giving him limits of staying off the coffee table, you could see he was starting to understand he was actually thinking as you could see it on his face, those that train their dogs understand what I am talking about. That good ol' light bulb was being lit. He tried again to get on the coffee table after his light bulb moment and was promptly told 'off' and you know ever since then he never got on the table ever again.
He body language had changed, the tail dropped down and I kept giving him attention and he laid down onto his back. Chloe then jumped into my lap which I think was jealousy and the Scout jumped into my lap. Can you sense something is going to happen? Chloe started to tense up and I was watching her snout while massaging and petting Scout. I put my hand on her back and petted her too. Scout started to growl and I got up from the recliner and both dogs broke off. Now obviously they were trying to claim me which is a big 'no-no'. So I disrupted it.
Throughout the whole visit, Scout's personality was a pleasure to experience. He was sassy and had a lot of character. He made you happy and young in the room. Such life! 
There's one issue that I need to work with Chloe and that is jealousy. We don't have a dog here everyday to work and she is a bit of a velcro dog. Clingy which I don't like of her. I want to her to be independent which Scout clearly is however. From what I was told of Stella, Chloe is the same yet, Stella started to be more confident thanks to Scout.
So in the end, my assessment is the following. What we have here is a untamed dog that doesn't know what his limits, boundaries, and his job/role. In other words, he has no identity. Is he correctable? Absolutely! Its going to take time thats all. I am probably be optimistic but I'd say 2 months of obedience training with someone with him that is basically around 24/7 and luckily, I work at home. Scout would be a challenge that is for sure but I could also show him as an example to other dog owners. Chloe is pretty much the modeled JRT around here since everywhere we take her they think she is broken. Chloe will be Scout's role model and dogs do learn from watching from other dogs, Chloe will be the dominant dog in the house since she was here first.
I do see that I am going to have to crate each dog during their training sessions. Scout on obedience and manners while Chloe on agility. Hopefully by the end of the summer, I can start Scout on agility training but that is if his recall and come to heel are within 90%. With all training, I am expecting his whole deposition will change as he will become a different dog.
I am pretty much sure I want Scout and to solidify it is another visit but I want the visit on his territory where he is comfortable and calm as this first visit really pushed him over. So that means his home, in his element.
Now Laurie has some reservations which I can highly understand. But you see, there is a baby coming into the family - no we aren't expecting - and she is worried about Scout but she forgets that Chloe hasn't been around a baby either, neither Emma, Casey, Riley, and Joey. Both dogs will be on leads until that they understand what exactly is a baby who isn't a dog, toy, or prey. But thats the least of her worries because the baby lives in a house with two dogs that have the same lifestyle as Scout.
She did mentioned she wants a dog - which I am all for it that Dog Show in Cleveland opened up her eyes - for herself starting as a pup and she is worried about Scout killing it. I tell her forget Scout, you have two JRTs that reactive ("Control Unleashed" Training reading as commenced again) and training will continue once this other dog enters the household. She needs a dog more at her energy level (shih-tsu, cavalier king charles, PBGV, Dandi Dinont) you know one of those happy go lucky dogs.
Anyhow, we need to plan for the next visit and I think January is going to be pretty much booked up.