Thursday, September 30, 2010

NY, NY: Temporary Foster Needed for a Dog


On 8/1/10 I moved from the apt I had in Queens & am currently residing temporarily with my elderly aunt in the Bronx. Cosmo was with me there for a few weeks, but she is not allowed to have dogs as per the home attendant agency that cares for her. As a result he has been in Virginia with my ex-boyfriend for the past 3 weeks but he is now asking me to come get him or he will surrender him to a shelter.

I want to bring him back to NYC this weekend but he cannot stay in the Bronx with me and I will be looking for an apt for the new year, but until then where can I put him? Please let me know if you have any ideas, because I don't want my dog to die just because I don't have a permanent address. Friends & family all say the same "
You can stay, but you can't bring the dog." So unfair pets are like our children not disposable objects. This makes me really sad.

If someone will foster him, I will take care of his food & maintenance expenses & if possible would like to pick him up for visits. I've had him since 2005. He also likes to hunt & will chase cats, squirrels lizards, mice etc. He can't hear but does understand some sign language & basic obedience commands. He's approximately 65 lbs. Part Dalmation as I was told by AC&C. I love this dog. He's a gentle sweetheart & makes friends every where he goes, I'm not kidding.

Tina
tee77@netzero.com
718-541-0912

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

New Orleans, LA: Cat and Sister Need a Home Together

Piper
Marina

Piper and Marina are 7-8 years old and in perfect health. they are spayed and felv/fiv negative. Their shots are not current but they have not been exposed to any new animals. Both of them are allergic to the felv vaccine and have to be pre-medicated with benadryl and then they do fine. They basically have the same personality. They seek out attention when they want it, otherwise they are pretty independant and like to do their own thing. Piper is deaf and loves to chase a laser light toy and watch car lights out the window at night. They love each other very much (except during travel when they tend to bicker). They will sleep together and groom each other. They are used to other cats as well as calm dogs and occasionally children. I have never had any problems with these two cats and I love them very much but current circumstances are forcing me to find them new loving homes. Contact me at tma422@yahoo.com

Theresa

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Athens, GA: Chihuahua Mix Needs Adopter or Rescuer

Khan #31174

Urgent Case - Owner Surrender!
Please use the ledger number, not the name, when calling about a dog.

Contact info: Phone: 706 613-3540 or athenspets@gmail.com

Age: 3 years
Breed: Chihuahua Mix
Gender: Male
Weight: 5.5 lbs
Impound Date: 9/23/10
Ledger: 31174

Update Sat 9/25: Khan is a fantastic little dog! Even though he’s deaf, he’s incredibly outgoing and doesn’t seem to suffer from his “disability” at all. He loves being cuddled in laps, but is also very active and would benefit from a walk every day. Even though Khan is deaf, it doesn’t mean that he can’t be trained. Dogs can actually learn visual cues easier and more quickly than verbal cues, so Khan should have no problem with obedience training. Khan’s previous family reports that he is house-trained, great with children, and friendly with other dogs and cats. He also likes children, which is a definitely plus for such a small dog since they can be frightened around children. He also doesn’t seem to mind having his teeth or ears checked or his paws handled and rolled over submissively on his back without a problem. I’d say he passed his quick evaluation with flying colors! Even though Khan is cute, tiny, and adorable, he can’t be adopted by just anyone. His new owner will need to be committed to his training so that Khan can be as well-behaved and safe as possible. It can be a very dangerous world for a deaf dog! As of Saturday afternon, Khan doesn’t have any adoption or rescue applications. The pound is filled to capacity, so he needs to be rescued or adopted as soon as possible!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Lancaster, KY: Aussie Needs to Get Out


This beautiful boy came in today. His owner had to surrender him because he wanders and it's hard to keep him in the yard and neighbors complained. He is a great dog, a little shy. Absolutely beautiful. You may ask why does he wander.. This beauty is deaf. He need a special home to love him and teach him. Can you help?

Contact Rhonda Frey hersheylab1@yahoo.com if you can help him

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Frederick, MD: Boxer Needs a Home

MODINE

Intake Info
Located in MD

Stray to Shelter
FA #11
Tag #1794
5-6 Yrs
(Birthday unknown)
Female
48 lbs
White
Natural ears
Docked tail
Reported good with other dogs
Reported good with cats
Reported good with kids - 5 or older
Special Needs: DEAF

Modine is the right dog for you if you want.
A dog that is easygoing, gentle, and a complete lovebug.... A dog that is crate trained, housebroken, and wonderful to walk on leash. A dog that is low energy and perfectly content with a slow stroll through the park. A dog that LOVES, LOVES, LOVES kids of all ages. A dog that is both mature enough to be gentle and calm when need be, but also young at heart for playtime. A dog that has the cutest, wrinkly, most lovable boxer squish face - a perfect family dog!

Modine is not the right dog for you if you want. A jogging partner. A puppy that destroys the house, jumps all over people, and is really high energy. Another project. So, what do you think?Is Modine the right dog for you??? Modine has been waiting since January for her forever home to come scoop her up. She has learned some signs and really deserves a place she can stay for the rest of her life. Modine is a doll!

Please visit her at Adopt a Boxer Rescue, and put in an application for Modine! Thank you!

Colleen Kane
colkane77@netscape.net
www.adoptaboxerrescue.com
"Animals can communicate quite well. And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored." ~Alice Walker

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Troy, NY: Daschund Needs a Placement or She'll be PTS

I desperately need help finding a home for my father's beloved Dachshund. He passed away 3 weeks ago, and I have called every rescue in the area. I have been told that there are no available foster homes at this time, and that senior dogs are very hard to place. I would greatly appreciate your help.

She is a 14 yr old female Dachshund, deaf, and partially blind. Her disabilities do not impair her, and she still responds. She is trained, and does basic commands.

She needs good loving home, and if not, she will have to be put down.

This little girl is very lovable, calm, quiet but full of life. She grew up with a cat. She seems happy when she sees other dogs. I have never known her to snap at, or fight with another dog. In regards to the cat, it seemed like she simply "tolerated" her! Contact me at preiff@gmail.com

Thank you, Priscilla

Grand Junction, CO: Bull Terrier Mix Needs a Foster or Home


Roice-Hurst Humane Society in Grand Junction, CO has a special needs Bull Terrier mix who needs either a permanent or foster home/rescue.


Name: Lilly

Age: 16-months, approximate

Sex: Female, altered

Medical Status: Healthy, Hearing impaired

Color: White with black/brown spotting

Weight: 41 pounds, approximate

Vaccinations: Current

HWT: Negative, Tri-Heart monthly

Housetrained: Unknown

Source: Stray

Microchip: Yes


Lilly is friendly and very alert to her surrounds. She is always very happy to see visitors and anxious for attention. She enjoys pats and will give kisses. She does fair on the leash. She gets along with most dogs but does react to some. She is not currently a candidate for a home with cats. Lilly appears to be intelligent and willing to learn.


Please fill free to cross post Lilly and share this message with anyone who may be interested in helping the sweet girl. She is safe with us but we would like to see her out of the shelter environment and in a home where she can receive the training she needs to make her a great companion. For additional information please contact myself or the shelter, ask for Denise.


Deb Miles Board

Director

Roice-Hurst Humane Society

970-234-3815 (cell)


Roice-Hurst Humane Society

970-434-7337 (closed Tuesday)

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Baltimore, MD: AMBull Mix Needs Adopter or Fosterer

I need some help, and time is of the essence. Last May, I adopted out Remiel, a deaf white AmBull/Pit Mix Pup to what I thought, was a wonderful family in Virginia. They have just separated and both work, they are Teachers. The wife took the dog with her and she moved into a rental property. The Landlord has told her she cannot remain there with the dog, he must go. She now feels she cannot take care of the dog that she works and is newly separated, Wow, hope she never has kids, teacher cannot multi task!! Well anyway, I need to take him back, but have no room right now, until I have an adoption. She refuses to wait and has threatened to take this wonderful boy to a shelter, where a deaf Bully will only have death waiting for him. I have helped lots of groups over the years and now I am looking for a foster, even if it is just for a couple of weeks. He is housebroken and knows basic commands, he is neutered, UTD on shots and micro-chipped, I have just relisted him on my Petfinder page. He is a beautiful boy, do not let the deaf part scare you, you would not know, he does follow basic commands and is very smart. I cannot afford to board him. Please forward this, maybe someone can help me. Call or email Mary at 443-983-0466 pittiesandpurrs@verizon.net or Shauna at brownshauna@bellsouth.net

Mary Sullivan of Pitties and Purrs

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Maury County, TN: Pit Bull Needs Help


The young man who saved the dog said that he had seen the two dogs playing in a field that morning on his way to work. He said he thought why are those beautiful dogs running loose (boxer & bulldog). They should be in their yard. (He couldn't stop because he was on his way to work) On his way home from work he saw them on the side of the highway. (Highway 7 in Maury County) He thought they were both dead but he pulled off the highway to check. That's when he noticed the white bulldog had his head resting on the boxer's chest. He raised his head and began to whimper & cry. The young man picked him up and put him in his truck. He said he just had to help!!!


The dog is a young unaltered male. He is very friendly with other dogs and children. If you sit down beside him he will get in your lap and lie down. (Wants to be held like a baby) He is shy and cowers down if you raise your hands...(Like he's been hit).


The man already has two dogs of his own and can't take in another one. If you can help, please let me know by sending me an email at srine@maurycounty-tn.gov.


Sonjalyn Rine

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Oklahoma City, OK: JRT Mix Seeks a Home as a Retired Mom!

Remember her from previous post when she was pregnant and in a kill shelter? Check here:


Miracle is exactly what her name stands for...this little girl is a deaf JRT that is about 8mo-1year old, 12 lbs, she was pregnant and at a kill shelter ready to deliver or be euthanized. Working together we transported her on multiple trips, state to state to get her to a foster home keeping Miracle and her 6 healthy pups (all have been placed in homes except Sapphire who is still waiting). Miracle is friendly and energetic. She likes to be with humans and we would suggest no little children just due to her being deaf (those open doors with kids are escape routes for JRTs), She is housebroken and gets along with other dogs. She has a gray, chewed on ear, which is not a typical color for JRTs and I believe she also has some Italian Greyhound in her. Adoption fee and home visit apply. Out of state would be considered as long as there is a volunteer available in this particular area, where interested applicant is, to do home visit. Contact okcjrt@aol.com for information or complete an application at www.russellrescue.com.

Pam

Onslow County, NC: In Danger of Euthansia

Louria is the contact person. Email her please, not me. Her email address is: Coca@embarqmail.com.


This dog was owned by a fighter who decided not to fight him when he found out he is deaf. Two other people heard about it and picked up the dog so the fighter wouldn't kill him. Now those two people broke up and the landlord will not let the pup stay.


He is young maybe under a year. Loves other dogs. Timid w/ people at first but warms up. He is going to the pound to be killed in a couple days if no one can take him. Please share and send to deaf dog rescues ASAP !! He's in Onslow county NC.


Claudia Lange

Boston Terrier Rescue of NC

Greensboro, NC

336-558-8289


Transport Assist Needed for Sept. 18: From PA to VA

Action: We need help transporting an 18 year old deaf Lhasa from Easton, PA to Richmond, VA. Transport legs are below. Transport will be on Saturday, September 18th.


Detail:


Peaceful Passings, http://peacefulpassings.org/ has agreed to take Chapman, an 18 year old deaf Lhasa Apso that has been in a shelter in PA for a VERY long time.


We are setting up a transport on 9/18 to get Chapman from Easton, PA to Richmond, VA


I am the coordinator and contact for this run, Alice Moore and my cell phone is 973-214-2997


ACTION:

We need your help transporting him! PLEASE.

As usual, ALL legs are f-le-x-i-b-l-e.


If you are in between stops, but willing to help, email us with your location and we'll discuss the possibilities of rewriting the run sheet to accomodate you.


Also, you all are out there driving and know your roads better than we do. If you need extra time added to the leg, please let us know when you volunteer and we can tweak the times to account for construction and high traffic areas.


REMEMBER!: Many of the groups that we coordinate for are 501c3 non-profit. IF YOU FILE THE LONG FORM, you can use your transport services as a tax deduction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~This Transport is coordinated by Alice Moore on behalf of Peaceful Passings http://peacefulpassings.org/


Please provide the following information and leg that you are able to fill:


Name

email address

Affiliated Rescue Organization, if any

web site

phone #

cell phone #

car make/model/color

state/license #


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PASSENGER INFORMATION LISTED AT BOTTOM OF SHEET

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ Each leg allows a 15 minute break

~ This transport will be monitored by Alice Moore, when you reach your location and have transferred Chapman to the next transport leg please call at 973-214-2997.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


**Route and Legs - Saturday, September 18th**


Leg #1 - Needed

Easton PA - Fredericksburg PA

70 miles -- 1 hour 15 minutes

8:00 am - 9:15 am


Leg #2 - Needed

Fredericksburg PA - Carlisle PA

60 miles - 1 hr

9:30 am - 10:30 am


Leg #3 - Needed

Carlisle PA - Hagerstown MD

60 miles - 1 hr

10:45 am - 11:45 am


Leg #4 - Needed

Hagerstown MD - Strasburg VA

60 miles - 1 hr

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm


Leg #5 - Needed

Strasburg VA - Staunton VA

75 miles -- 1 hr 15 minutes

1:15 pm - 2:30 pm


Leg #6 - Needed

Staunton VA - Richmond VA

90 miles - 1 hr 30

2:45 pm - 4:15 pm


Leg #7 - Needed

Richmond VA - xxxxxxx VA

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm


** End of Transport**


Receiving contact name: Jackie Meyers

Receiving contact email address: Jameyers@aol.com

Receiving contact home phone: Call Alice at 973-214-2997

Receiving contact cell phone:

Location (city and state):


NAME: Chapman

BREED: Lhasa

AGE: 18

GENDER: Male

SIZE/WEIGHT: Approx. 25 lbs. (long-shaped dog)

SPAY/NEUTERED: YES

SHOT UTD: YES

RABIES VACCINE AND TAG: Vaccine (no tag)

HEALTH CERTIFICATE: NO

OK WITH DOGS: YES

OK WITH CATS: Don't know

OK WITH KIDS: Questionable

LEASH TRAINED: YES

HOUSE TRAINED: YES

CRATE TRAINED: YES

SPECIAL NEEDS: Deaf

DOES THE DOG RIDE WELL IN CAR: Don't know

ADDITIONAL INFO: Has crooked front leg, cannot jump. He is not accustomed to being picked up.

ITEMS PROVIDED: Crate, Paperwork, Collar, Leash (these are required items)

food, water

ITEMS NEEDED: harness if desired - NOT provided. Please supply

a water bowl for your leg of the transport.


REASON FOR TRANSPORT:

Chapman needs a home to live for the rest of what could be a very short life.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Tips on Deaf Dogs Training

By Jennifer Messer

Dear Dr. Messer I have a wonderful little Boston Terrier/French Bulldog cross that I just found out is profoundly deaf. It only makes her that much more precious to me, but I would be interested in an article about the trials, tribulations, and successes with deaf dogs. I give her a thumbs-up sign when she does well, but I’m not sure if I should ever give her a sign for “no,” or only for good. I am ignoring the people who say a deaf dog cannot be trained, but I could sure use some tips.—Alison, by email

Alison, You’d be amazed at how common it is for deaf dogs to fool us into thinking they can hear. Just as deaf humans tend to capitalize on other senses, most deaf dogs take full advantage of their superb sense of smell, sight, and touch. In fact, they sometimes compensate so well for lack of hearing that it even gets them into trouble!

Take Whisper, a 3-year-old Australian Cattle Dog. Her first owners had no idea she was deaf, so pegged her as a “stubborn puppy” for not coming when called and “obstinate” for blowing off loud scolding. When they eventually realized she could not hear, they handed her over to a rescue organization.

With over 85 breeds affected by inherited deafness, you would think that the myths about deaf dogs being untrainable and making terrible pets would be ancient history, yet euthanasia is still shockingly common. Lucky for Whisper, Elise Bonder knew that such claims are nothing short of tall tales. Adopting Whisper with full knowledge of her deafness, Bonder was keen to make the few adaptations to standard training that were needed to bridge communication in Whisper’s silent world—including learning how to say “no!” Let’s take a look at how basic training can be tweaked to help deaf dogs share our lives with all the joy, freedom, and safety we can offer them.

Signals Instead of Sounds

Whether you want to tell your deaf dog that she’s been good or naughty, teach her a brand new command or ask her to follow an old one, the only difference in training is that you can’t rely on sound to get your message across. The universal “thumbs-up” signal is a great choice for the most important message of all—“good girl.” Now you need a clear signal for the opposite, so that she can benefit, just like a hearing dog, from knowing when you disapprove.

Whisper learned early on that if she pays attention to Bonder, there are lots of opportunities to score the good stuff, but that misdemeanors will be met with consequences.

“She knows that a stern frown and finger wag mean she’s done something wrong,” says Bonder. Early in training, this was paired with time outs, but now the signs alone are enough to send a clear message.

How many signs can you teach your dog? Some, like Whisper, boast a vocabulary of over 20, putting many a hearing dog to shame.

“Making up new ones for tricks is half the fun of training. She just learned beg and I finally decided on this,”—laughing, Bonder holds out a hat upside down—“as the sign! We put it on Facebook.” Signs can represent specific commands, like “sit” or “don’t touch,” or they can give information: that you’ll be back in just a moment or that someone is at the door. At a minimum, you will want to teach “watch me,” “come,” and “stay.” The American Sign Language (ASL) dictionary is fun to peruse for ideas; just pick out signs you like and create your own meanings—you aren’t going to find “shake a paw” in the index!

Regular lure-reward training works very well for teaching action signs to deaf dogs. For example, you can teach “down” by luring the dog into position with a treat, and then giving her the treat as a reward. Gradually phase out the treat and presto: moving your empty hand in a downwards motion becomes the command signal, reinforced with life rewards like walks, fetch, and belly rubs.

You can also use signs that have nothing to do with how you lure her in the teaching phase. For example, give the ASL sign for bed (resting side of your head against your open palm) and then lure her there with encouragement or kibble, rewarding her upon arrival with whatever turns her crank. Soon enough, she’ll catch on to the signal without needing the lure.

Dogs are tremendous visual learners. In fact, they often pick up on hand signals much faster than verbal commands. And there are even advantages to using sign language, according to Bonder.

“Your training is very resistant to being ruined by others. You know how everybody always wants to make your dog sit? You go somewhere and they say sit sit sit and the dog is thinking I really don’t feel like sitting right now. You don’t have that problem with deaf dogs, because you essentially have a secret language.”

Getting Your Dog’s Attention

So, provided you have eye contact when you are trying to communicate, deaf dogs are hardly at a disadvantage with non-verbal training. But what about those situations where you don’t have eye contact?

Truth be told, this is a challenge. While hearing dogs can be engaged verbally from out of sight, there are limited options for communicating with a deaf dog that cannot see you. You can flicker the porch light or shine a flashlight into the yard for “come in” at night, jiggle the leash for “look at me” on walks, and toss a lightweight toy into sight or stomp on the floor for “turn to me.”

And then there is the Cadillac of remote technology for deaf dogs: the vibration collar. Some people use the vibration as a command for “come,” others for “look at me.” Either is fine because, once you have eye contact, you can switch to visual signals. V-collars are a wonderful invention, but don’t be fooled into thinking that a high-tech device will do the training for you. Even when a deaf dog has been “paged,” she can be just as selective as a hearing dog about responding… and we have all seen lots of dogs with selective hearing! How well she obeys you will depend on good training, not just a good collar.

In addition, remote collars aren’t for everyone. Some guardians, like Bonder, are not comfortable relying on technology and prefer to train up a very reliable check-in instead.

“Whisper just didn’t take notice of the vibration, so I opted to train her to stay pretty close when off leash, and check in very frequently. I would always just feed her when she was near me, and she got the concept that being close to me is good. As her confidence grew, she ventured out a bit but she’d always look back at me to check in; if I gave her the thumbs-up, she’d keep going, if I didn’t do anything, she’d come back, and I just reinforced that. At home, I taught her that an open door doesn’t mean she can take off unless I give her permission.”

Whisper is never off leash in unsafe areas, only in places far from traffic and mostly fenced, but whether you let your dog off leash at all is a personal choice. While acknowledging the risk of misadventure, some deaf dog guardians like Bonder feel that good training combined with very carefully chosen venues for off-leash romps is a responsible balance of safety and freedom. There is no right answer, but also no escaping the fact that you need to take extra measures to protect your deaf dog from the dangers ordinarily accompanied by warning sounds, traffic being the most common. As for the risk of a dog becoming lost and not being able to hear your call, there is no harm in fitting her with a GPS. Yup, they make them for pooches—designed for hunting dogs, but who says they need to be working to wear one?

Special Social Needs

Even the most stellar training cannot make up for the deaf dog’s inability to perceive natural sounds that have social significance, so to live with a deaf dog that is safe and secure you need to do more than just teach sign vocabulary, you’ll also have to meet some special social needs.

Touch sensitivity: “Oh, it’s just you!” Deaf dogs often startle to being touched the way a hearing dog startles to unexpected noise. Most will alert to being touched by surprise, such as from behind, and then recover, just like a hearing dog usually recovers from a loud bang. Many and frequent surprise touches followed by super treats will go a long way toward creating a touchaholic who is pretty startle-proof, especially if you start this in puppyhood, as Bonder did.

“I took the time to train Whisper out of it as a puppy. We would actually wake her up really abruptly, give her hot dogs, then tell her to go back to bed. She’s never reacted aggressively.”

Some deaf dogs, however, are quite sensitive and need extra work to avoid being anxious or fearfully aggressive when touched unexpectedly. If they don’t acclimatize, they may require careful management for everyone’s wellbeing. Outside of hot-dog training sessions, the sensitive and startle-proof alike should be given the courtesy of a gentle warning, such as blowing an air puff kiss or tapping the floor, before waking them from sleep.

Peer pressure: “You talkin’ to me?”

Interestingly, while some deaf dogs seem to be able to pull the wool over our human eyes, their disability doesn’t slip by other dogs quite as easily. One of the challenges in living with a deaf dog is managing her around her own species, as deaf dogs are often misread as being socially inappropriate and, like Whisper, can even be attacked for not responding normally to vocal cues.

“I used to go to the dog park with her and she would get picked on,” Bonder explains. “A dog would come up behind her and bark like I wanna play and she’d ignore them because she can’t hear them, and the dog goes Well, why did you ignore me, that’s rude! and they’d nail her. I’ve had to pull numerous dogs off her.”

To keep your dog safe, you must be extra careful about choosing her playmates and you need to establish a “heads-up” prompt to warn her when other dogs are approaching from a blind side. “I’m cautious about who I let her socialize with, and, if a dog is coming up behind her, I give her a tap and point. It’s a social ‘head’s-up’ that we use for lots of different things.”

Playbiting that hurts: “Did you say ‘ouch’?”

The squeal from a dog or human that lets a pup know she is playbiting too hard is a useless message to a deaf puppy. Hearing puppies acting like piranhas will gradually soften their bite in response to yelps and refusal to play. The deaf puppy needs diligent feedback of ending play abruptly in response to her hardest bites, so that her mouth gradually softens. Deaf puppies usually learn this more slowly than hearing pups, as Whisper’s puppyhood nickname “gator” suggests, but they are able to learn it nonetheless. Safe adult dogs with good social skills can be a big help by using their full spectrum of body language in teaching the little land shark to ease up.

Teamwork

The bottom line is that you and your dog will need to work together to fill in missing information. Acting as your dog’s ears and taking extra safety precautions is your part of the deal, and will complement your dog’s natural inclination to make the most of her sight, smell, and touch. As Bonder will confirm, deaf dogs are pretty savvy about capitalizing on their other senses.

“Whisper sleeps in the crook of my legs so, if I move, she knows. And during the day, she’ll often fall asleep touching my foot. Sight and smell are huge for her. She likes high spots so she can see everything. If you take a shower, she’ll stand right outside so she knows when you get out. It isn’t anxiety—it’s just her own way of making sure she knows where her people are.”

Not only have Bonder and her deaf dog met the challenges of day-to-day life, they have also competed in agility. Whisper’s ribbons are a clear testament to great teamwork, and her success flies in the face of those who argue that deaf dogs are untrainable. Her disability actually made her a natural in this fast-paced sport, according to Bonder.

“If you think about what you are always teaching a deaf dog— ‘follow me,’ ‘look at me’— agility is sooooooo easy: follow me while jumping over this fun thing, follow me while going through this cool tunnel. She just loved it! Agility is so based on body language that deafness was a total moot issue.”

Although Whisper is now retired from agility and flyball, Bonder keeps her busy with tracking and obedience.

“Every dog wants mental stimulation, physical exercise, affection, and food. They need those things to be happy healthy dogs…in doing these sports, you are giving your dog what she needs to be a good canine member of society, and if you do that, you wind up with a dog that is happy.”

Clearly it takes a bit of extra effort and creativity to train a deaf dog. And maybe even an extra dose of patience and humility as you navigate unfamiliar ground. Deaf dogs are different, for certain. But aren’t we all just a little bit different, yet equally precious?

“For perhaps, if the truth were known, we are all a little blind, a little deaf, a little handicapped, a little lonely, a little less than perfect. And if we can learn to appreciate and utilize the dog’s full potential, we will, together, make it in this life on earth.”—Author unknown

I wish you a wonderful journey with your precious girl.

For direct access to the article on Modern Dog Magazine, go to:

http://www.moderndogmagazine.com/articles/training-deaf-dogs/10727