Date Posted:10:24:39 02/16/05 Wed Author:Traci Author Host/IP: 66.56.102.35 Subject: For Kristen re: object permanence
Kristen wrote this:
"Also, I'm of the opinion that deaf dogs don't develop "Object Permanance" until a much later age than normal puppies. "Object Permanance" is when a puppy learns that if you leave the room, you're permanent, and will return again. Deaf pups can't hear you in the other room, so if you leave the room, perhaps you've dropped off the face of the earth, which for the pup is only what he can see. To him at that young age, objects aren't permanent.
I think this is why my deaf Sheltie had such huge crate issues at a young age. I'd leave his sight, and he'd become terrified. What if I ceased to exist? He couldn't hear me bumming around in the kitchen. He didn't seem to really get the idea of permanent objects until he was about four to five months old. He spent two months of crate time frightened I'd left the earth and unable to leave the crate to see if that was true."
I have a 6 to 7 week old deaf puppy that came to our home 3 days ago. When he is in his crate, should I place it where I will be visible to him at all times, day or night? He goes in his crate on his own to nap, he seems to enjoy it. However, when he wakes up he gets very upset and I can hear him from other rooms, etc. When we go to bed at night, we place his crate beside of us. Will he always need to be w/ us at night or just as a puppy? Thank you in advance for any advice.
Traci
