Our 11-year-old Akita has become hard of hearing, as far as the door is concerned. He knows his job is to bark his head off if anyone shows up and he will suddenly realize someone is there and go into announcing mode. But he is slower than he used to be.
If he recognizes the truck/car/person, he simply lets us get it.
On the other hand, if a deer is moving 50 yards from the house, he is in full-throated defense of his territory.
Old dogs have their own priorities.
Yep, and their priorities are not necessarily in line with their owners priorities.
Otherwise, if your Akita had his way, you would very likely be taking him deer-hunting every time a doe or stag entered your property.
“Master, you can’t mean to let that impudent deer get away with this. Let’s get him!” ;-)