kendall

I have been very lucky, I suspect, with Diesel during thunderstorms- he just sleeps right through them He is completely deaf but his sense of smell is amazing. I think they can sense changes in air pressure etc too. It is great when we go for walks - all the other dogs will be going mental at their fences and he just walks calmly by Diesel is VERY touch sensitive though- my mum's dog found out the hard way not to jump on him from behind- wasn't hurt but got a warning. Kendall

Ok I found the book - It is called "Living with a Deaf Dog" by Susan Cope Becker (self published). My edition is 2000 but there may be a later edition. We are also on the deaf dog atlas (we are in WA). Diesel's photo wasn't at 17 months - it was taken not long after we got him on one of his visits to the resue centre where I volunteered and where he came from (maybe 17 weeks??? can't remember!) My email is also wrong there - PM if you want to contact me. My signs for Diesel are: Sit - palm down Ball - fist Where? - same as you would ask a child (you know hands outs sort of shrug) Wait - hand up like stop sign Come (close) - beckon with hand Come (far away) - arms out wide Shake - hand out in front of him to shake it No - Point my finger with a growly face. Walk - "let your fingers do the walking" I'm sure there are others but they are the main ones. Treats worked really well but pats worked too. I still talk to him like he can hear me. I find that he has different barks for different situations- play bark, where are you - can't see you bark, there is something new in the yard bark, cat bark, intruder bark etc. Barking was an issue but that seems to have settled now - we sometimes leave the outside light on so he can see whats happening (I know dogs have great sight but it works) and I make sure that there are no new things in the backyard that he hasn't had time to investigate before dark. Make sure your fences are really secure -Diesel got out from my mum's once and I freaked - drove around for hours while ringing all the vets in the area. He ended up at the pound and I went to pick him up the next day - I could hear his 'can't see you bark' before I saw him - what a relief! He was equally as excited to see me :rolleyes: If I think of anything else I will add to this. Most of all though, enjoy your pup, don't get annoyed with them (too much) and find the good points to having a deaf dog They are there You have done a great thing adopting this pup! Kendall

HI midweek I have a deaf ACD who is now 5.5 years old. He came from rescue to us at 11 weeks. I can offer my experiences. Diesel learnt to sit the first day home and knows a few other signs - sit, ball, shake, wait, come (From close and from far away) cant think what else :rolleyes: Obviously a deaf dog can't be off leash at all - you just can't get their attention esp from a great distance and if another dog or other distraction is around there can be problems. I remember taking Diesel to a dog beach once when there were no other dogs there and letting him off to run. He chased a seagull but thankfully he kept looking back to me and I called him back with his 'come' sign (wide open arms so they can be seen from further away). I was worried though so have not done it since - too scary. I looked up the sites (during my own research) that have been suggested and I also got Angus and Robertson to order a book for me (came from the US so was expensive , but I did find it helpful). Will have to find it and come back here. Hopefully you will be able to find a training school that will help you. When he was a pup I took him to obedience classes but the instructors were quite rude and wouldn't work with me and the signs I already had for him - eg my 'sit' sign is a hand flat in front, palm down. The instructor wouldn't let me use that (as in obedience 'sit' is hand being raised up towards chest, palm up - never understood that by the way ) and he HAD to sit by my side. I told them he needed to be able to look at me to see his signs but they wouldn't budge I didn't go back after that. Having a deaf dog is hard work but it is also rewarding when they learn new signs/tricks (I told everyone whenever he learnt a new one ) One definite good point is that they don't hear thunder or other dogs barking, bad point is no off leash. Treats worked really well for me but lots of pats and smiley faces worked for the 'paw shake' and that is probably his favourite trick! Will find the name of that book and add the signs that I use. Sorry for the long post. Kendall

I can't really add to the answers already given - just remember your pup has only just started walking - think how new and different everything is! Some pups are just 'shy' and can get overwhelmed by all the outgoing bouncy puppies at puppy school. Hopefully your pup will gain some confidence as you progress! Just a quick question though - I have always known it to be "don't take your pup walking or to public places until 2 weeks after the 3rd vaccination" - is this not the case anymore? I know from reading this forum that some only get 2 vaccinations and they are covered. Does it depend on the vet or state (I'm in WA). All the vets I and my family and friends use do the "3 vaccinations and go out at approx 18 weeks) thing sorry if this has been done before

I used the monthly chewable until my boy was around 9 months then switched to the yearly injection. He is now 5 and a half and we have not had any problems. I was overdue with his last one but he had a heartworm test and was fine. Is there an issue with its protection properties or that it stays in the system for a year (but isn't this like vaccinations?? Sorry another topic I'm sure ). I also haven't seen discussion on this so will go do a search! What about the all-in-one flea, worm, heartworm etc etc spot on treatments? Got me worried now

Thanks Lea Use a slicker on my cats and love it. Hadnt really thought of a big plastic bed (was thinking more of a soft squishy bed) but think for ease of cleaning it would be alot easier.

Hi everyone. I am planning on adding a cocker spaniel puppy to our family in about 6 months time. I'm probably getting ahead of myself but have been looking for beds etc for "her" My question is what size bed should I get that will do for when she is full grown as well as a pup? I know a bed won't last the life of a dog in most cases, but would like to have one for longer than a few months of puppyhood! Any other advice re grooming equipment would be appreciated too. I have done a fair bit of research on the breed (size of female approx 38-39 cm and around 13kgs) but would appreciate hearing first hand from owners of gorgeous cockers. Don't know any myself. Thanks.