I had 2 Cavaliers. One passed about 10 days ago far too early. My remaining Cav "Tessa" has been deaf for the past 3 years or so. It didn't seem to be much of a problem for her or for us until our sweet LuLu, Tessa's best buddy passed. Now Tessa has lost her ears and her best buddy. A double shot of sadness. As LuLu went so went Tessa. As LuLu barked, so did Tessa.

We have noticed that we must now be her ears, not an easy task we're finding out. We really don't know what to do here. We want her to have a happy life and we are giving her lots of attention but she sleeps most of the time and doesn't seem happy at all. Tessa is 6 years old and in good health.

Any suggestions on what we should be doing to assist a deaf dog and give her the best life we can would be appreciated. I've never been through this before. Thanks so much in advance. All the best. Bill

hi bill

i have a reference website i use a lot when faced with your problem...hope it helps

DDEAF Training Hand Signs

gilly

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ZACK (1993-2007)
forever in sunshine

Thanks so much Gilly. That is a dandy website and I can see I will be visiting often. Thank you so much. I suspected something like that was what was going to be needed but it was so foreign to me. I appreciate having a road map now to help with her training. So far I've just devised a signal for "come" or follow me and it seems to be working so far. She is very eager to please so I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks again, Bill Beavers Down Home Pets, Fun, Facts and Love

Hi Bill, so sorry for your loss, poor little Tess my heart goes out to her

Thats a great link and also Barry Eaton has a brill little book on Training Deaf Dogs that I give to all my clients who have deaf dogs.

Getting a marker signal and an attention signal in place are the first things. A marker signal lets her know that she has done well and is usually a thimbs up sign or a flash from a little torch.

Give the sign and then toss a yummy treat - repeat about 10 times per session and have several sessions a day. Soon she will understand that that sign means she did well and a treat is on the way. You can pair this marker with anything she finds rewarding.

Your facial expressions are also very important so lots of eye contact and smiling are good.

The attention signal is important so that you can get her attention or wake her up etc. without startling her. Stamping can usually be appreciated by most deaf dogs. Stamp when she not looking at you, and then toss a treat. As she begins to get the idea as in stamping means to turn around make it a little more challenging. Stamp, wait for her to turn and then toss. Then up the ante again as she gets better at that level: stamp, wait for her to turn & give eye contact and then toss treat.

Obviously safety are a priority as she no longer has her guide dog so exercising in secure areas, on long lines etc. Would you think about maybe getting her another companion when the time feels right? There are lots of middle aged Cavs looking for homes in Ireland and i am sure there where you are too - just a thought.

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Anne, owned by Rufus & Tripod

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Hi Anne (Tripod),

Thank you so much for your input. It makes sense to me but with no previous experience I would never have come up with the stamping. I have noticed that she knows when I am up and moving around the house sometimes so she's "feeling it." Yes, she does love her treats. She's an Ausie Cav so somewhat different in that the is larger than other Cav's. I do worry now that she will become overweight because I will admit to feeding her more to help comfort her which may or may not be working (putting my thoughts in her head etc).

Thanks again for your caring reply. I'll get started today. All the best.

Bill Beavers
Down Home Pets, Fun, Facts and Love

Why not consider another dog? Perhaps not a puppy as it may get on your existing dogs nerves?

If you choose a rescue, then you can get a dog which is compatible. I think it is sad for dogs, who are used to being in multi dog household, to suddenly be on their own.

It will be far easier than trying to train your dog with facial expressions etc. Let a new dog do the work.!

sorry for your loss by the way x

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I understand Bill that feeding her makes you feel like you are comforting her. In many ways food works for her the same way that it works for us - releasing happy hormones and all that.
But certainly you spending more time with her is the most important thing - what is her favourite activity? Maybe tug or fetch, just belly rubs and cuddles perhaps. This is what she needs to fill the gap left by her pals passing.
Teaching silly, seemingly pointless tricks is a fab way of bonding and keeping her (and you) occupied. Any clicker trick book is suitable - just substitute the clicker sound for a thumbs up.

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Anne, owned by Rufus & Tripod

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"I've seen a look in dogs' eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that basically dogs think humans are nuts." - John Steinbeck

"If you don't want your dog to bite you, don't be an a**hole to him." ~ Dr. Ian Dunbar