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Date Posted: 19:44:49 07/30/04 Fri
Author: Kristin
Author Host/IP: 66.19.102.19
Subject: Re: new baby
In reply to: kay williams 's message, "new baby" on 12:10:47 07/30/04 Fri

Hi Kay,

First, if you haven't already, go to ddeaf.com. This website is loaded with info on deaf dogs, including training.

My personal advice is not to ever let the deaf dog out of a fenced yard, unless it is on a leash. Period. They cannot hear danger (cars, crashing items, attacking dogs/animals, etc.). Running with the other dogs outside of a fenced area won't be safeguard enough to keep your baby safe.

My deaf dog is never allowed to run loose. If he starts to run into trouble, I have no way to stop him. He's trained to check in with me every minute or so, but it only takes 10 seconds to run into oncoming traffic.

Do check out the vibrating collars on the DDEAF.com site. They list the collars and the pros/cons of each model. This is a great alternative for you. I used this initially with my deaf puppy to "call" him. All I had to do was press a button on the remote, and the collar would vibrate on my dog's neck. My dog was then trained to look for me. Once he found me, I could sign what I wanted him to do next. The vibration became his name. DDEAF.com also has info on how to train your dog to the vibrating collar.

Even with the vibrating collar, don't let your dog run free. My collar didn't vibrate all the time, and I would never want to rely on it in a life or death moment.

Also, I am personally against letting any dogs run loose outside of a fenced area - hearing or deaf. I've had too many people come to my training classes who live in the country saying, "Oh, he never leaves my unfenced yard, so he can run free." I don't know one of those dogs who survived the year. They were always hit by a car. Seriously. Always. I remember one lady said her dog - who NEVER left the yard - ran across the street in the country to play with children and got hit and killed. Duh! It's a DOG! Of course it's going to run across the street to play with children, chase a cat, run down that enticing smell, etc.

Sorry - I didn't mean to rant there, but I hated seeing all these wonderful dogs die when people wouldn't take my simple advice. Never let your dog loose outside of a fence.

I will say that if you have walked a few miles into woods, fields, etc. and there are no roads around for miles - then it is much safer to allow a dog off lead. But even then, I only do this for training or working purposes, and only with hearing dogs who already have very strong recall commands (come command). I would never do this with a deaf dog.

I think you'll find the ddeaf.com training advice very helpful. It's also really important to socalize your puppy. This is the key to a health, emotionally whole dog. Find a good puppy class in your area, and take your dog to it.

You may want to read some of the other posts here on the list. They will give you ideas of common problems and solutions faced by those who own deaf dogs.

Good luck and congrats! I'm glad you didn't return your puppy. Deaf dogs make great companions and performance show dogs.

-Kristin





>I adopted a beautiful puppy from the pound two weeks
>ago. About a week later, I realized that Molly is
>deaf. I am anxious to know how I can best protect
>her/train her. I live in the city, (big fenced yard
>and walks on the leash, etc. But I spend a lot of
>time in the country. If I am not able to call her,
>can she run with the other dogs? Please help. Kay

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