Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi - we are considering fostering a deaf sheepdog from the SPCA. I have been reading about caring for deaf dogs. Does anyone have any suggestions - my husband and I are just in the process of discussing it right now. It is an adorable dog - does not bark much but when standing behind her and clapping she does not turn around. She also won't wake up when they are cleaning in the morning - unless she is facing you - but if her back is toward you then she doesnt' turn around. I am just looking for suggestions! Also, she has not been groomed since arriving - she is very matted and her poor little eyes are almost completely closed because of "gunk" dried up in her eyes - I want to at least clean out her eyes today when I go visit her - how do i do this? If we took her in we would definitely take her to our groomer asap!

First of all thanks! When you take her home yes get the dog to a good groomer. I have found deaf dogs are not that much different than hearing dogs. You can train them with hand signals. I found to get their attention when not looking at you, stomp your foot on the floor. They feel the movement and quickly learn that is the command to look at you.

Here are a couple of links that might answer some of your questions.

http://www.deafdogs.com/Tips.htm
http://www.deafdogs.com/Training.htm

Good luck and post again so we know what progress you are making.

Cheryl

Thanks for the advice and the links! We went and visited her again today - my husband took her and soaked down her eyes because they were completely sealed shut with eye gunk and hair - the people at the spca thought she was blind but it was just that her eyes were covered up - now she can see and we walked her today and she was a different dog! tail waggin it was so cute! she does hear a little like if we are behind her and clap our hands she cocks her head to the side a little and eventually turns around. we will have to try the stomping on the ground. she is an older dog and may have glaucoma but we would definitely get her to the groomer we use asap! she has such potential to be this great dog if someone could get past her tiny obstacles and cleans her up. she just wants some love.

Just wondering if she is deaf or like her eyes glued shut with gunk? How old do they think she is? Does she have a name?

Well from reading your post I think you and hubby are hooked. Make a vet appointment and groomer appointment, pop her in the car and take her home. Give the girl a better life and a second chance in life.

Do you have other pets?

Cheryl

So we went on the weekend and walked her and cleaned out her eyes really good so she could see. She was quite old and you could tell had some glaucoma - her hearing wasn't too bad - we would do clapping tests and stuff like that while standing behind her and she was responsive a little. So we went on Monday afternoon to check her progress and we were talking of adopting her - when we got there we found they had put her down that morning. We were shocked and disappointed and confused as they only had 4 other dogs in there and had the room. We were quite upset. We talked to the woman who runs it and she said "oh I thought you might be back for her" but the vet and her said no one would adopt her because of medical conditions and the grooming. We would have taken her in and made sure she was groomed asap and had medical attention as well. I don't think much was wrong with her except that she probably had eye infections and needed a good haircut - The was old but she deserved a good home for awhile. We are still hurting a little about this. We went the next day and adopted a small dog that had been there for over a month. She was surrendered as the lady who owned her had 9 dogs and was moving where there was a by-law in place allowing her to have 4 dogs. She had to surrender 5 of her babies (i don't know how she would pick). Charley is the last of the 5 to be adopted. She is awesome. She is currently sleeping right beside me on the couch. We live on an acreage and i have 6 other dogs (all small except one!) and they all get along great. The director felt bad about putting my sheepdog down and gave me a hug. I just wish I had taken her home sooner. But charley had also caught my eye 3 weeks ago - she has the greatest eyes - i will try to post a pic!

I am so sorry, how sad, but at least you opened your heart and save another.

Cheryl