Recall and increasingly deaf dog!

[threestepsforward]

Hello,

Is on a lead the only option? He's 13 and getting progressively deafer.

He was really sick between Nov and Jan, when he had to have a transfusion. His recovery since has been staggering! (Behindlock, if you are reading, he is going from strength to strength ).

My problem now is his zest for life means he is too far ahead of me, and won't hear me unless I yell and sound like a crazy woman

I really don't want to curtail his joy but is there any other option but keep him on the lead? He's never needed one before but our walks have turned rather fraught! I stupidly feel that he would feel like I'm punishing him

Are there any other solutions for recalling partially deaf dogs? He can't have treats as he's very intolerant to most foods and medications (hence transfusion).

Poor boy, I feel like I'm really going to piss on his parade :(

[needastrongone]

Would he respond to a whistle perhaps, pitch is different to a human voice?

[threestepsforward]

Funnily enough, I've ordered a duck whistle from amazon needastrongone

In hindsight, this may be a silly idea but it was only a few quid! (it's not arrived yet)

The reason I went for the duck thing is that he seems to hear when my pitch is as low as I can get it (although I still have to yell!), rather than high, if that makes sense. The dog whistles are quite high aren't they? Worth a try though...

I'm trying not to think about how much more unhinged I'll look pursuing him with a duck whistle

He may calm down in time (he's around 90 FGS!!) but maybe I should just accept he needs to be on the lead for the time being...

Thanks for the suggestion

[foolonthehill]

Dogs and humans lose high frequency first with age associated deafness....so you had a clever and not a silly idea!!!!!!

[threestepsforward]

So there may be method behind my madness foolonthehill? Brilliant!!

Thanks for posting, I didn't know that, but it fits in with the problems we're having...

He needs to go back to the vet next week for a blood check-up so I'll mention his hearing while we're there.

I'm getting an extendible lead today for the time being and will start trying to teach an old and deafish dog new tricks with the whistle (and a squeaky toy, which may also work and he loves them!)

Thanks for posting

[D0oinMeCleanin]

A vibrating collar (not the same as an electric collar)

Put the collar on him, press vibrate, feed him something yummy. He will start to associate the vibration with getting treats and will come to you for his treat when his collar vibrates.

Alternatively, if he is not too deaf you can vibrate the collar, call his name, treat when he returns. He will start to anticipate you calling him when the collar vibrates and will come back.

We use torch light on our elderly dog as a recall cue, but he is also partially sighted, so a vibrating collar would be no good, without the torch he wouldn't be able to see us to come back to us.

Squeaky toys might work for a while, but if the problem gets progressively worse, you're gonna be stuck again once he can't hear the squeak anymore.

[threestepsforward]

Dooin thank you so much, what a fantastic idea - I'd never heard of them?!

My duck whistle arrived and the results on the walk were hilarious

It definitely works!! But I'd rather not use something that may attract every other curious dog in the vicinity so I will definitely look at the collar.

Are they nothing at all like those shock collars then? I remember someone using them on their two retrievers when I was quite young and they both went completely screwy - ended up killing a dog

I used treats today as well (his mixer biscuits which he can tolerate) and that really helped too.

What a difference a day makes - yesterday and the past few days have been slightly panic fuelled - today so much better

[threestepsforward]

p.s. Dooin you don't have any particular recommendations for the collar do you?

[QuietTiger]

It might be helpful to use a bandana that also tells people he is deaf - if only to alert them to the fact you are not a crazed loon with a badly behaved dog when you are calling him.

Have a look hereMilgi coats I know Milgi coats are bringing in the bandanas as a stock item, they are incredibly well made, the customer service the company provides is wonderful and they may have a few ideas that could help apart from just a bandana saying you boy is deaf. :)

[D0oinMeCleanin]

No they are not the same as electric collars at all. It's gentle vibration that causes no pain at all. Some dogs might be sensitive to the sensation at first, so I'd start with it on a lower setting and then gradually increase it if needed.

I've never had to use one, my dogs are all quite young, but this is the kind of thing I mean You can get multi function ones that also shock, but I wouldn't personally use those as you risk pressing the wrong button.

[spudballoo]

I would second the vibrating collar. I've used it with my stubborn labradoodle and it works fantastically well. When I buzz him it's like he's on elastic, he snaps round and comes back. I don't use it any more as a couple of months of that AND me calling at the same time has sorted out his recall. But with an older deaf dog I would think it would be fabulous.

The sensation is a bit like being tickled, I tried it on my skin. But it's a very unusual sensation for a dog as it's not like anything else that they've encountered, so it stops them in their tracks. Worth a try for sure. x

[threestepsforward]

Spud and dooin thank you so much!
I will be purchasing - it sounds absolutely ideal

Thanks also quiettiger for the link to the bandanas. Fred is a cool kid and they would suit him! I've seen collars that say 'friendly' etc., but never a bandana with info, what a great idea!

I bloody love mumsnet, thanks guys

[threestepsforward]

Ordered a collar and remote control off ebay. Vibration and sound only, so no chance of shock mistakes...

QuietT I've also bookmarked that site as I may well get a bandana too if I need to...

Thanks so much again everyone