The dog musing/vent thread

Beanie

Clicker Cult Coordinator
Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
14,012
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
39
Location
Illinois
So basically before he loses all his hearing, start adding hand signals as I do voice commands?

How should I mark the behaviors once he does lose his hearing? I can piece together all his tricks with hand signals, but should I phase out the clicker?
You might pick up a vibration collar. You put it on and when you push a button the collar will vibrate against their neck. If you pair it with treats the vibration will become a reward marker. I knew a couple with a deaf dalmatian who used one. Some people also just use it as a way to let the dog know "hey, this is vibrating, I want you to come."
 

Dizzy

Sit! Good dog.
Joined
Sep 14, 2005
Messages
17,761
Likes
1
Points
38
Location
Wales
I just quit my dog class. Theyre nice people but I don't learn anything, and I seriously feel Fred actually goes backwards rather than forwards. Its too chaotic, he's completely over stimulated there, you get no direction at all. Its a bit... Dare I say it...... Amateur. Its not right for us..... Eek!!!

I can do more on my own with him. Plus I'm signed up for agility soon and she seems seriously good, trains in obedience, agility and rally (uncommon in the UK). I'm hoping once I get to meet her and start agility classes we can sign up to more there.

Feel quite relieved not to be going back actually... Shame as they were friendly :) and it was the closest place to me (45 mins away!! I can't be too picky :( ).
 

Sparrow

New Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
234
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Alaska
**** it Beau you're not allowed to be getting old :(

Why must your hearing be going of all things!!!? :cry:

Any thoughts on how to train an older dog that is used to voice commands to hand signals? He's used to a clicker but with his hearing going that isn't much help. He has no toy drive anymore and works well for food.
You can use a flashlight to mark behaviors, or the vibration collar. I think I'd go with light to mark and vibration for "come" so you have the security of a way to call him back to you without confusion.

If you do some Googling, you'll find a ton of supportive websites with training info for deaf dogs. He'll do fine!

It sounds like you have the chance to teach some hand signals before it goes completely, so take advantage of that and use it as an opportunity to do something fun and new together (his perspective.)
 

Southpaw

orange iguanas.
Joined
Jul 31, 2005
Messages
7,788
Likes
1
Points
38
Age
32
Location
Minnesota
Man I suck at having a floofy dog. I just had my hands on Happy and, gosh darn it, I think she's even thinner than Juno is. Looks like her weight loss went a little too well, she's much ribbier than an old lady like herself needs to be! She'll be happy to have extra food. I just feel bad for not noticing it, all that hair hides it well, she just always looks the same!

Now I need to get her butt on a scale and see where we're at.
 

JessLough

Love My Mutt
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
13,404
Likes
2
Points
38
Age
33
Location
Guelph, Ontario
Man I suck at having a floofy dog. I just had my hands on Happy and, gosh darn it, I think she's even thinner than Juno is. Looks like her weight loss went a little too well, she's much ribbier than an old lady like herself needs to be! She'll be happy to have extra food. I just feel bad for not noticing it, all that hair hides it well, she just always looks the same!

Now I need to get her butt on a scale and see where we're at.
I always kept Rosey on the ribby side when she got older, because I've always been of the opinion that it's even more important to have them not carrying any extra weight when they get older joints.
 

SpringerLover

Active Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,415
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
B-ville
I always kept Rosey on the ribby side when she got older, because I've always been of the opinion that it's even more important to have them not carrying any extra weight when they get older joints.
Except that then if they get sick, like Buzz did, they have NOTHING to lose and you have to seriously consider E-vet and IV fluids to bring them back to normal. If he'd had even an extra two pounds, he would have been fine. Instead every bone protruded and his recovery was that much harder because he didn't have enough (much at all?) in reserve.

He has FINALLY put on weight so I'm comfortable. He is in no way fat and you can still easily feel ribs, but they don't protrude to the point I feel like I can't take him out in public.
 

FG167

Active Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
2,709
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Jefferson, GA
Man I suck at having a floofy dog. I just had my hands on Happy and, gosh darn it, I think she's even thinner than Juno is. Looks like her weight loss went a little too well, she's much ribbier than an old lady like herself needs to be! She'll be happy to have extra food. I just feel bad for not noticing it, all that hair hides it well, she just always looks the same!

Now I need to get her butt on a scale and see where we're at.
Um...so how about some PICTURES???? ;)
 

Laurelin

I'm All Ears
Joined
Nov 2, 2006
Messages
30,963
Likes
3
Points
0
Age
37
Location
Oklahoma
Mia is having some epiphanies lately. First the realization that one can catch objects other than tennis balls from the air- namely food.

Second now is that she can tell me that she had to go potty outside.

Seriously I just gave up on her ever letting me know. As a pup she'd go outside but if you didn't get her outside she would just go where she was. Gradually she got to where she never had accidents but still never even attempted communication about needing to go. All my past dogs, including Summer, would ask to be let outside. Nope not Mia.

Last week she asked to go outside for the first time ever. And now she's asking pretty regularly (but not obnoxiously).

Seriously. Communication breakthrough! So odd to me that such an in tune and vocal/demanding dog never tried communicating her need to potty before.
 

Beanie

Clicker Cult Coordinator
Joined
May 17, 2006
Messages
14,012
Likes
0
Points
36
Age
39
Location
Illinois
CURSE having Novice dogs... Georgie is the VERY LAST dog to run Sunday at our next agility trial. Are you kidding?? BAH.

And my competitive nature will NOT allow me to just pack it in and go home early without running her. So I will be there until probably 4pm. Luckily the trial is in Indy, so we time travel on the way back home - so should still get home around 5pm or so.

I like it better when I have an excellent dog and get home at 2pm though LOL.

We're joking we need to work REALLY hard to make sure she Qs quickly so we can get out of Novice hahaha. P has one more Novice Standard Q and he's out, I'm pretty sure we can knock that out in three tries.
 

Emily

Rollin' with my bitches
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
Messages
2,115
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Illinois
God. ****. It.

My dog's blood panel told us nothing. Her vitamin B12 levels are the low end of normal but still within "normal." Everything else was basically normal.

And yet she still looks and feels like crap. The vet was like, "I dunno, wanna put her on Hills I/D?"

Ugh. :(
 

Oko

Silence, peasants.
Joined
Sep 10, 2012
Messages
2,138
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
MA, USA
God. ****. It.

My dog's blood panel told us nothing. Her vitamin B12 levels are the low end of normal but still within "normal." Everything else was basically normal.

And yet she still looks and feels like crap. The vet was like, "I dunno, wanna put her on Hills I/D?"

Ugh. :(
I'm really sorry you didn't get an answer.
 

Toller_08

Active Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2006
Messages
8,359
Likes
1
Points
36
God. ****. It.

My dog's blood panel told us nothing. Her vitamin B12 levels are the low end of normal but still within "normal." Everything else was basically normal.

And yet she still looks and feels like crap. The vet was like, "I dunno, wanna put her on Hills I/D?"

Ugh. :(
I am so sorry. :( I hope you're able to figure out what the problem is. Poor Blossom and you.
 

*blackrose

"I'm kupo for kupo nuts!"
Joined
May 11, 2010
Messages
7,065
Likes
3
Points
38
Age
33
Location
WI
God. ****. It.

My dog's blood panel told us nothing. Her vitamin B12 levels are the low end of normal but still within "normal." Everything else was basically normal.

And yet she still looks and feels like crap. The vet was like, "I dunno, wanna put her on Hills I/D?"

Ugh. :(
Ugh. :( That is the worst. Could you give her a supplemental B12 injection and see what happens? Or maybe start a treatment for SIBO? Can't remember if you did a round of Metronidazole or not, or if you've tried any pre/probiotics.

The vet was like, "I dunno, wanna put her on Hills I/D?"
It never hurts to seek a second opinion. If this vet is stumped, going to another vet for another opinion never hurt anyone. I work at a multi-vet practice and there are a few times one of the vets says, "Huh, I don't know." and confers with the other vets in the practice. Through that discussion and input of other experiences, ideas/thoughts can be gathered that may have otherwise been missed. Even having her bloodwork re-evaluated by someone else may be beneficial.
 

Emily

Rollin' with my bitches
Joined
Feb 13, 2008
Messages
2,115
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Illinois
Ugh. :( That is the worst. Could you give her a supplemental B12 injection and see what happens? Or maybe start a treatment for SIBO? Can't remember if you did a round of Metronidazole or not, or if you've tried any pre/probiotics.


It never hurts to seek a second opinion. If this vet is stumped, going to another vet for another opinion never hurt anyone. I work at a multi-vet practice and there are a few times one of the vets says, "Huh, I don't know." and confers with the other vets in the practice. Through that discussion and input of other experiences, ideas/thoughts can be gathered that may have otherwise been missed. Even having her bloodwork re-evaluated by someone else may be beneficial.
Yeah we did discuss potentially trying the Vit B injections to see if it yields any results. We did discuss treating for SIBO as well and I have some Metronidazole, however, her stools are firm on the turkey and sweet potato mix so I've held off on that (Metra's not my favorite drug for a lot reasons. I may ask for Tylan.)

I'm definitely open to another opinion and I'm considering seeking out an integrative vet who might have some holistic ideas for supporting her digestion.
 
Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
1,681
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Fort McMurray, AB, CA
because he is a retriever and a boy, LOL.

I don't wanna be at work anymore, I sooo need a vacation longer then 4 days where we are still working for 2 of them and the phone rings all weekend as well...im tired and hubby and I are at each other throats it seems. I just wanna go back to working for someone else and making the bill paying someone elses worry :(.
 

HayleyMarie

Like a bat outa' hell
Joined
May 12, 2009
Messages
7,058
Likes
0
Points
36
Location
Beautiful British Columbia!!
Why did I get a boy puppy-Lip stick all-the-time EWWW!!!!!

On the plus side, watching other peoples puppies and dogs makes me appreciate my dogs so much more. My dogs rock!

And I am pretty sure JRT puppy thinks I am an evil ruler, because I have rules and talk in a authoritative voice ah ha!
 

Members online

No members online now.
Top