Training for a senior going deaf

When Hollie was loosing her hearing we also used hand signals. But one thing that we learned quickly was that she would easily become startled when she was asleep and we tried to wake her. Sometimes to the point she would snap because she was so startled. We found the easiest way to gently wake her was to gently blow across her face. That would be just enough to wake her and then she was OK with being touched.

We just had to be very careful that no one would disturb her when she was sleeping.
 
The things we have done. Since we have a very large fenced in area, I have a collar that has a blinky light and a small cow bell. I would slip it on our old girl before she went out. Usually the old ones will follow the younger dogs, but sometimes wander away. Calling them is useless. You have to go and get them, and in the back it is quite dark. The other thing we do, is flash the lights on the deck. All the dogs know to come in when they see that.
But the blinky light and cow bell is a must.
 
Something I just thought of. I've seen bark collars that vibrate to get the dog's attention. I could teach him to come when he feels the vibration so that when he's distracted he can still 'hear' my call. I'm still hoping he doesn't completely loose his hearing though.:no:
 
I've been working with F-kap for the past few weeks on hand signals (along with the others). So far they know all the basics, down, sit, stay, and come without me saying a word. Now I'm working on a release signal for them to get a treat or their food. My vocal command is "OK", my hand signal wil probably be a clap. I think that's all he really NEEDS to know, of course I'll probably teach him more simple tricks that are senior friendly, at least to keep his brain active. Is there any other hand signals you can think of that I'll need to teach him?
 
Tabitha said:
I've been working with F-kap for the past few weeks on hand signals (along with the others). So far they know all the basics, down, sit, stay, and come without me saying a word. Now I'm working on a release signal for them to get a treat or their food. My vocal command is "OK", my hand signal wil probably be a clap. I think that's all he really NEEDS to know, of course I'll probably teach him more simple tricks that are senior friendly, at least to keep his brain active. Is there any other hand signals you can think of that I'll need to teach him?
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Kudos to you and F-kap...sounds like you have covered all the basics. :smile2:

Trini
 
Tabitha, think twice about using a clap for release. I often use a clap in the house to get their attention. They can still hear the clap inside. Outside, no but inside they still can.

Just a thought.
 
Sheltiemama said:
Tabitha, think twice about using a clap for release. I often use a clap in the house to get their attention. They can still hear the clap inside. Outside, no but inside they still can.

Just a thought.
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I'm not necessarily using the clap for the noise, but the motion. It's a large exaggerated clap (not loud). If it's not the best signal to use what other would you recommend? I've only just started training it so it'll be easy to change signals. Next on the list is heal (not sure what signal I'll use for that). These are my signals so far;

SIT: hand starting at the nose of the dog going up (I can now do this a few steps back from the dog)
DOWN: hand going from my waist (palm down) to my knee (fingers pointed toward the ground)
STAY: hand up, palm facing the dog
COME: patting leg
 
I am absolutely, hands down, the world's worst trainer of dogs and kids. Kids came without potty training but my dogs all have to come pretrained. :) :)

So I'm no help there. I just know that we clap to get their attention in the house. We started with one mostly deaf dog and now our old dog is more deaf than our deaf one.
 
Tab, I know you are hoping that F-Kap doesn't totally lose all hearing...but just remember that dogs accomodate amazingly well to any limitations and he will still be a very happy soul even if he doesn't hear.

When my Misty finally lost all hearing I found that when speaking to her if I laid my cheek on top of her head she would get all happy excited...she "heard" me in a different way through the vibrations and it obviously brought her great comfort. The other thing that worked great when waking her from a sound sleep (and deaf dogs sleep very soundly) without startling her was to put a small piece of sharp cheese or meat on the floor about an inch in front of her nose. It would take a minute and then her nose would start to twitch, soon she was wide awake and gobbling down her wake up treat. It was both a peaceful and happy way to wake her.

Trini
 
trini gilmore said:
Tab, I know you are hoping that F-Kap doesn't totally lose all hearing...but just remember that dogs accomodate amazingly well to any limitations and he will still be a very happy soul even if he doesn't hear.

When my Misty finally lost all hearing I found that when speaking to her if I laid my cheek on top of her head she would get all happy excited...she "heard" me in a different way through the vibrations and it obviously brought her great comfort. The other thing that worked great when waking her from a sound sleep (and deaf dogs sleep very soundly) without startling her was to put a small piece of sharp cheese or meat on the floor about an inch in front of her nose. It would take a minute and then her nose would start to twitch, soon she was wide awake and gobbling down her wake up treat. It was both a peaceful and happy way to wake her.

Trini
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I have a friend who has a collie mix who's deaf and another friend with a lhasa apso that's mostly deaf and they both love it when I talk to them. They can read my expresions and know what I'm saying to them must be good. There's only one thing I can think of that I like about F-kap loosing his hearing, I can now lay down on the floor with him and watch him sleep without waking him, which I love! I'd still much rather he keep his hearing, but life happens. I've also woken him like you woke Misty. Even though he still has his hearing, he still get's startled sometimes when I wake him up.
 
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