Dog Community

All I want to do is Play

Posted : 12/3/2011 1:56:51 PM

I've been working with a female pit bull who is approx 2 yrs old and is deaf for about 2months. She is very sweet and always gives me kisses when she first sees me. The last 2 times including today about halfway thru her walk she goes into play mode and any item I have becomes a tug toy. We've had personnel cutbacks at my SPCA about 2 weeks ago so shes getting walked less during the week before I see her on the weekends so I know she has a lot of pent up energy. Her favorite game by far is tug of war and she hasn't learned yet to give me the item when I command her:I have to trade a treat for the toy. Play time for me has always been a reward for a good walk and I would like to keep it that way Any suggestions would be very appreciated.

Xebby

Posted : 12/3/2011 2:09:59 PM

I have worked with a few deaf dogs and it can be a challenge. One suggestion is to see if she responds to light, like a flashlight or laser pointer. Teach her touch with the light. To do this, shine the light on the ground and when she touches it put a treat in that place. This will help set some direction and build concentration with the training, help her focus on a task. Carry the flashlight or pointer with you and use it to redirect her behavior. She can't hear you so a flash like from a camera could be used in place of a verbal correction. I have used the light in place of sound, a blinking light is a different signal then a non-blinking light and so on. Play around with it, make it a game, experiment. It's a learning process for the both of you. Good luck!

glenmar

Posted : 12/3/2011 2:20:25 PM

With a dog with tons of pent up energy, I'd offer play time BEFORE the walk. That way you are likely to get a better walk and she might learn better.

calliecritturs

Posted : 12/3/2011 2:47:33 PM

I kind of agree with Glenda -- I understand wanting to 'reward' with play but you could get a ramped up toy (try a blinking ball - one that blinds on impact) to give her just a couple of minutes of 'play" AFTER.

Flashlights can be a royal p.i.t.a. because they can take so long to turn on/off, etc. I'm not a huge Brookestone fan, BUT these absolutely ROCK:

Tiny flashlight -- the thing about them that is so incredibly awesome is that big button is right under your thumb. You can **slide** it and it stays on. OR you can "blink" it with your thumb. I like the white light FAR more than the blue. David and I both use them and I've gotten for family -- very light (keep on your keys and you'll nearly always "have it" with you)

The "Astro Light" down in the corner is ok -- small, but you have to fool with a button on the BOTTOM which means you gotta be way more coordinated than I am to use it one handed.

But for a deaf dog this would rock because it's SO pulseable -- if you are using a bit of "code" (where a longer flick of the light means one thing and a tiny 'click' means another) it would be perfect for what you're doing. You *can* replace the battery and I've never had one completely "die" on me altho I've added more because they are so handy.

I don't like a laser -- it's too hard not to hit them in the eye with it, and some dogs can become absolutely obsessive about them plus you'd have to cover the beam or turn it off and on.

I understand you wanting to "get down to business" with him BUT he's probably so incredibly glad to see you that a short time is all he can walk until he bubbles over insatiable for SOMEONE to play.

Is there a church local to you that might have a deaf department (no I'm not crazy) -- usually bigger churches may have someone who signs the services. Honestly it would be a great place to get the word out about this dog. People who already are used to working in the deaf community would be FAR more likely to have enough compassion and patience to work with a deaf dog. It WAS how I got started many years ago. But even if church isn't your thing, making a few calls to area churchs to find out if there are any groups that might be interested in talking up a deaf dog who needs a home? You might score big!!

Now that I look more at that page - there is a cheaper version that's a keychain further down -- never used that one -- teh $20 is durable, not sure the $10 would be.

Jewlieee

Posted : 12/3/2011 7:12:47 PM

If it were me, i would offer a game of tug during the walk as a way of training the on off switch. Walk for 2 mins then play tug, trade with a treat to get the tug back then put the tug away and walk for another 2 mins, stop, make the dog sit, then tug as reward, rinse repeat. I would use that natural tug drive for a lot of things and incorporating it into your walk will help release some of that pent up energy. The key would be to offer the tug before the dog decides that it wants to tug on its own. If it starts to tug on the leash, stop, turn your back to the dog and let the leash go slack. No eye contact, no voice command etc. Just totally take the fun out of it. Then once the dog stops, ask it for a sit (or something) and offer your own tug toy. Play tug for 60 to 90 seconds then trade and continue walking.

dogjunkie

Posted : 12/3/2011 9:29:12 PM

Thanks you guys;your suggestions are excellent. I'll let you know how it goes.

Stephenie

Posted : 12/26/2011 11:05:52 AM

If you want,do it.