Skittish and anxious from ageing

oh, Caro it is a tough time you go through and then you have your little fur friends that you are also worried about.
Here we could wish you could tell Little Deska that it's ok and you're home soon.
Good recovery :hugs
 
So glad to know your stay will only be a couple of days! Yes, big sigh of relief!

It is always better to let them stay at home!!! Less stress then having to endure more uncertainty!

Take care.
 
ghggp said:
Other than the fact that Jasmine and Mr Chance got startled if you patted them when they were asleep since they could not hear you.
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I got thinking about what you said Gloria and I think this might be happening with Mr D. He doesn't hear his name when he's laying on the couch and seems to sleep very deeply - his ears would always prick up when he heard his name before. But he leaps off the couch for any loud noise - from me sneezing to putting a cup down loudly or a loud bang on the tv or radio. Might also explain these crazy barking frenzies he gets in. He may actually have more significant hearing loss than I realised. Irony is, I used to tell him he'd send me deaf with his barking, now he's done it to himself.

I just said the word 'treat' several times in a talking voice and he didn't jump off the couch, Deska never ignores a treat so I guess that proves it. Strange that I didn't notice it until now - unlike Tully who's sight deficits are fairly obvious. Now to work out how to manage hearing loss to reduce his anxiety.
 
It is so sad to see when they startle so easily. I feel for you. Hoping you find a solution for Mr D!
 
Gavin did not do well at the motel the other night, but did fine in the tent last night. I think he couldn't 'find' me in the motel (can't loose me in the tent, though!), he was up most of the night, pacing and pawing at the bed (he doesn't sleep in my bed at home). I use LOTS of motion sensor nightlights at home, in the bedroom and hallways. Since he can't hear me anymore I just try and help him not get lost or confused. I guess it helps.
 
Cindy said:
Gavin did not do well at the motel the other night, but did fine in the tent last night. I think he couldn't 'find' me in the motel (can't loose me in the tent, though!), he was up most of the night, pacing and pawing at the bed (he doesn't sleep in my bed at home). I use LOTS of motion sensor nightlights at home, in the bedroom and hallways. Since he can't hear me anymore I just try and help him not get lost or confused. I guess it helps.
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Poor Gavin - how did he settle back in once you got home?
 
Oh, he is fine. I just realized how much those nightlights make him feel better. There is no place like home!
 
How is Deska doing?
I know Gavin's behavior has changed since he went deaf. I just try and remember that he can't hear me talking to him all day long so he needs a different type of reassurance.
He never used to be as accepting of love pats, but now he is much more eager for them.
 
Had a chat with the vet - she thinks he can't hear ambient/background noise so a loud noise comes out of the blue. I'm trying to whistle to get his attention. But the air is so dry here sometimes my mouth is too dry to whistle (he can hear a whistle though). I tried a normal pea whistle but he's petrified of it, need to dig up my sprenger whistle and see if that works. Got the clicker out tonight (some of my class use a clicker and aren't timing their markers properly) and Deska was scared of that sound. On the plus side we had a thunderstorm on the weekend and he didn't hear it until it was very close - interesting because he always knew they were coming before I did, but now I realise he must have heard the storm not 'felt it' like I thought.

He is getting more and more skittish though. I've been practising my classes on him and Tully to help stimulate his brain a little. They are both enjoying learning things so I'll teach him some new tricks and focus on scent training - maybe it will give him more confidence to focus on his nose.

Now to work out how to get him over his fear of the front door - he has gotten so scared of it he stands several metres away and I have to coax him inside while trying to stop cats running out the door. Every week he gets further away. Back door is a little better but not much, wondering if it's the step and his depth perception is off too.
 
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