Advice needed

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dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
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Hi All,

I did a bit of searching on the internet but its a topic that isnt well covered. I need to brain storm for my latest rescue.

The man with no name is old. We stopped docking tails around seven or so years back so he is at least that. He is a little shakey on his feet but may have been nerves and cold. He refused to budge on the lead unless it was to go back in the direction of his cage where his new found mate was. He has ok kidneys and is drinking water. He was dumped. No microchip. Not desexed. Sores all over him. Doesnt seem to be in any obvious pain. I snuck him some bacon and he was all about that.

Only slight issue is that he is completely deaf and blind. I have had plenty of rescues that were one or the other but never two. Its not the hardest thing in the world if your dog goes deaf and blind as gun dogs use their nose and they already know the lay of the land. But he will be coming to my apartment which is new territory obviously. I crawled around and managed to get rid of everything at eye height. Turned the surfboard fins in etc.

But how do I train the man with no name? Pat on the head for good with a treat and a tap on the bum for bad?

Any advice is very much welcome. His due date is tomorrow so I can get him then.

Cheers

Damo

Jasandjules

70,012 posts

231 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
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No experience of bringing a deaf/blind dog into a new home, so I can only really guess.

I would just say in part it's going to be take it all nice and slowly, the dog will bang into walls/doors/furniture etc a bit but I think it will soon learn the layout of the place.

And well done for taking on the poor little sod!

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Sunday 27th March 2011
quotequote all

Superficial

753 posts

176 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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He looks gorgeous, and well done you for taking on a dog who could easily have been left in kennels for a long time due to his conditions.

In terms of training, I would recommend you went by the basis of rewarding good behaviour (with food or physical affection) and ignoring bad behaviour. The world could be a scary place if you got in to the habit of giving him a 'tap' when he can't anticipate it.

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Superficial said:
He looks gorgeous, and well done you for taking on a dog who could easily have been left in kennels for a long time due to his conditions.

In terms of training, I would recommend you went by the basis of rewarding good behaviour (with food or physical affection) and ignoring bad behaviour. The world could be a scary place if you got in to the habit of giving him a 'tap' when he can't anticipate it.
Thanks. Good advice. Maybe a stiff jab with a couple fingers to his jelly belly.

As for the kennels...it is 7 days then the freedom needle. Or in some pounds that are over crowded, if they arent microchipped (which this one isnt)... it is straight out to the chopping block.

bexVN

14,682 posts

213 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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To be honest he is not likely to be badly behaved.

Hopefully he will love his food which will be your biggest help. Make sure you only use a negative act if he is going to be a danger to himself or harm himself.

There is a chance he won't be totally deaf he may hear a loud clap, my parents took on a deaf elderly poodle (and now going blind) but we realised with time that he did hear a good clap which has been really useful!

Deaf dogs are one or other, quiet and sleep a lot or bark lots because they can't hear themselves! (the noisy ones tend to be truly deaf)

Make sure his ears are checked, mucky/ sore/ inflammed ears can affect hearing, judging by his breed this is quite likely, infected ears certainly didn't help my parents dog.
Be patient, gain his trust with kindness etc, be aware he may jump may snap at the air or towards you if startled and give him time, good luck and good on you for giving him a fair chance smile

Jasandjules

70,012 posts

231 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
He looks like he is just going to wander about to get his food, go in the garden for a pit stop, and then sleep. Please don't hit/tap/poke him - can you imagine being in a world with no noise or light and getting jabbed? He'll have no idea what is happening.

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
He looks like he is just going to wander about to get his food, go in the garden for a pit stop, and then sleep. Please don't hit/tap/poke him - can you imagine being in a world with no noise or light and getting jabbed? He'll have no idea what is happening.
it would only be for safety reasons. Nothing to worry about.

Getting him tomorrow morning so Im happy to post up pics and stories if anyone is interested.

dmitsi

3,583 posts

222 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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It will require a lot of attention early for the dog to start feeling comfortable, but when they are happy they should be fine. You need to decide on a position for the bed/cage and keep it there. Always feed in the same place too. Smell will be very good (hopefully) and you'll notice they will react to movement as if they hear you. It's sensitivity to vibration and smell that enables them to get on quite well.

Do you have other dogs for them to follow around?

Expect a lot of peeing whilst they get used to the new place, once they have learnt the layout of the house they will get more confident. You need to take a lot of time to form a strong bond as this dog needs to trust and know who you are. Get ready to spend nights stroking him to sleep.
Also try to create a system to communicate what you're going to do. So if you want him to follow, always touch him in the same place. Food will be easy, but as I said always feed in the same place.

Give it some time and you'll be amazed. Good luck and well done for giving him a chance to live.

Moo27

395 posts

175 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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I have absolutely no advice to give at all im afraid, but he is gorgeous!

Good luck with him, and i am sure he will reward you with endless amounts of cuddles and Love!

Oh.. and what you gonna call him?

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Good advice, thanks. I have already set up camp in the loungeroom as it has tiles. He was quiet when I met him unlike every other cocker who is whingy and whiny. We shall see.

As for a name. Not sure yet. Im calling him The man with no name at the moment. I was thinking of a Gene Wilder/Richard Prior pun but will probably stick with my spaghetti western theme for rescues. My other cocker Rommel is used to drifters and will be able to show him the ropes.

ali_kat

31,999 posts

223 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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clap good luck, he's lovely!

davepoth

29,395 posts

201 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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dmulally said:
Good advice, thanks. I have already set up camp in the loungeroom as it has tiles. He was quiet when I met him unlike every other cocker who is whingy and whiny. We shall see.

As for a name. Not sure yet. Im calling him The man with no name at the moment. I was thinking of a Gene Wilder/Richard Prior pun but will probably stick with my spaghetti western theme for rescues. My other cocker Rommel is used to drifters and will be able to show him the ropes.
I think "Clint" would do.

Pothole

34,367 posts

284 months

Monday 28th March 2011
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davepoth said:
dmulally said:
Good advice, thanks. I have already set up camp in the loungeroom as it has tiles. He was quiet when I met him unlike every other cocker who is whingy and whiny. We shall see.

As for a name. Not sure yet. Im calling him The man with no name at the moment. I was thinking of a Gene Wilder/Richard Prior pun but will probably stick with my spaghetti western theme for rescues. My other cocker Rommel is used to drifters and will be able to show him the ropes.
I think "Clint" would do.
Mr Eastwood to you!

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Monday 28th March 2011
quotequote all
Last one I got from Victoria which is south of the border (I live in NSW) so called him Tuco.

Now named Billy and in fine fettle.

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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Little Van Cleef passed away quietly in my arms today after not even a week as my child.

Turns out the only advice I needed was how to cope with the loss.


bexVN

14,682 posts

213 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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frown, what happened? so little time but at least his last few days were in comfort and he was loved, it's not fair but remember that's what his last life experience was and that was the best thing you could've done for him. Take car

dmulally

Original Poster:

6,216 posts

182 months

Monday 4th April 2011
quotequote all
bexVN said:
frown, what happened? so little time but at least his last few days were in comfort and he was loved, it's not fair but remember that's what his last life experience was and that was the best thing you could've done for him. Take car
The special little guy was 15 years if he was a day. After three hours of crashing into everything he didnt touch his head once. Not once. He mapped the place out by touch. He was very very sick and had trouble eating and walking. But not once did I need to discipline him and not once did be whimper or complain.

I went back to work for the first time today since having him and felt guilty around lunch so went home to see him. He could barely raise his head but when I touched him his tail wagged. I took him to the vets and they said there was nothing I could do. They gave me 20 of the shortest minutes of my life and asked if I wanted to wait outside. I remembered the doggy commandment and held onto him while the vet did her thing. It took 5 seconds although it was another 30 mins before I let him go.

I havent let go of poor Rommel (my other cocker) since.

paulmurr

4,203 posts

214 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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Dusty in here today frown

You done good dude. Really good.

Z4monster

1,440 posts

262 months

Monday 4th April 2011
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Sorry that your time with him was so short. He looks absolutely beautiful. At least he had the best of care for his last few days.

Take strength in knowing that someone loved him and cared what happened to him.