My parents rescued Lily their deaf Lurcher/longdog (she is believed to be whippet/greyhound/saluki) from Battersea as a 16 week old pup, she will be 7 in July.  She was born deaf and right from the start was very good with hand signals.  Being a lurcher she always had her silly moments when she didnt want to come back, she would run rings round you just out of reach but didnt actually run away.

Over the last few years she has started chasing things, to start with it was just people on bikes going down the footpath next to the field mum runs her on, then she moved on to joggers, and now sometimes even walkers arent safe !!  Unfortunately she doesnt only chase now, she has also started nipping.  Mum now cant let her off lead over her local field anymore and as she doesnt drive she has to rely on my dad to take them further afield which isnt very often and its really getting her down.

I dont think a long line would work with her, mum uses a flexi lead but I cant see her managing a long line I think it would cause more mayhem   We were think of a remote spray collar, but not sure if one would work as she is deaf and its supposed to be the hiss noise that stops the behaviour.  I was just wondering if anyone had experience of using them and whether it would be worth my mum getting one.  We have found a company online that hires them out so could "try before we buy" ;)

Thanks

Claire

I think you can get a collar that buzzes (so the dog can feel it), designed to get the attention of a deaf dog. But it's something I've read on here (as opposed to personal experience), so not sure as to what the exact term would be, or where to get one from.

> I think you can get a collar that buzzes (so the dog can feel it), designed to get the attention of a deaf dog. But it's something I've read on here (as opposed to personal experience), so not sure as to what the exact term would be, or where to get one from.

I've heard of these, I met a lady with a deaf Dalmatian that had one. They're called Vibrating collars, but I would also urge you to find a trainer/behaviourist experienced with deaf dogs to oversee the introduction & use of it, as used incorrectly it could at best make no difference, or at worst aggravate the problems.

And if she is nipping, definitely a muzzle until you have seen a trainer/behaviourist... I would also say a long-line too, unless you can find somewhere safe to let her off-lead where there are no people, joggers, bikes etc. Sadly people nowadays are far too eager to report dogs for nipping & chasing with all the hype about Dangerous Dogs, and you could very easily be charged under DDA Sec. 3 (Out of control in a public place) as a friend of mine was when her dog (on a lead) lunged at a cyclist riding on the pavement and tore the rider's trouserleg.

The fact she is deaf won't be much of a defence, I'm afraid.... They will just say: "Should have been muzzled and on a lead" :(

I read up on vibrating collars when they first got her, it seems they are really used as you would a clicker - in stead of "click treat" it would be "vibrate, treat".  What mum is after is something to stop her in her tracks.

Mum is now keeping her on a lead unless she is at one of a couple of places which are safe.

> I read up on vibrating collars when they first got her, it seems they are really used as you would a clicker - in stead of "click treat" it would be "vibrate, treat".  What mum is after is something to stop her in her tracks.

That's why I suggested working with a trainer who has had experience of working with deaf dogs :)
Very little will stop a dog in its tracks, deaf or not. There is no quick fix. It takes time and training.... but it can be done. It needs time, patience and understanding especially with a deaf dog.

Some suggestions:
http://www.dog-secrets.co.uk/shop/books/stop-how-to-control-predatory-chasing-in-dogs/
http://www.deaf-dogs-help.co.uk/

I agree with MsTemeraire on this one.

Find someone with experience of deaf dogs.  I've trained blind dogs, but can't advise on deaf ones, but a proper, experienced person would be my advice too.

I use an 8m flexi with my rott as it gives him more freedom but I still have control if we are in an area where temptation may cross his path!  Maybe this would help your mum as the extra 3m between the standard and the longer ones make a huge difference.

Hi,

A vibrating collar introduced correctly as a positive reinforcement system used to teach a reliable recall is going to be a much safer and more effective method than introducing an aversive to a deaf dog.  You run the risk of it being sufficiently aversive that the dog associates the spray with the things she is already chasing not with the chasing itself so could make her feel nervous about them and if that is why she is alreay chasing and nipping then it could do much more harm.  Your Mum may get lulled into a false sense of security and the problem may resurface with worse than a nip if she feels sufficiently worried by the 'targets'

It's important to work out why she is chasing and why it has gotten worse - this can often happen in stressy nevous dogs as it gives them a 'feel good fix'.

This needs to be dealt with properly with training and dealing with any issues that may be causing the chasing to address it properly.  Apart from that aversives that rely on scent and spooking the dog are never a good idea but particularly not with a deaf dog, there are much more effective and kinder ways of addressing and then dealing with the problem :-)

It's important to fulfil the chasing needs of this dog, and if you read the dogsecrets link there should be some help and guidance there for you.
I'd also suggest seeing Sally Sanford as she is in Hampshire and highly experienced with oodles of knowledge. I know she has worked with deaf dogs and she uses reward methods. You can find her details via www.apbc.org.uk

Lindsay
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