Treasure's Travels

Treasure has already been so busy this month!  We just returned from a road trip to VA to attend a Suzanne Clothier seminar.  This post is about traveling with a blind-deaf dog. 

When you travel with any dog, there are usually more things to pack for the dog's comfort than for your own!  Crates, blankets and beds, toys, bones, treats, bowls, food, leashes, etc.  And traveling with Treasure was no different.  I packed her ex pen in case we needed it and her crate.  We didn't really use either one, except that she rode to and from in her crate.  But it was important to have them with me in case she needed a sense of home. 

I took her stroller, because I knew we'd be in the seminar setting for most of each day.  She is comfortable hanging out in the stroller in new places and relaxing in it.  It gave her a familiar and safe place to hang out when we weren't doing other things. 

On the breaks, I let her wander on her leash to get some exercise, and we did some training exercises.  I took her food ball and kong wobbler to give her activities to do at mealtimes.  And she had some special chew bones to keep her busy during the down times of the day.  She got lots of petting from the other seminar attendees, which is always the highlight of her outings! 

It's important with any dog to secure them in the vehicle while traveling.  I think it's especially important for a blind-deaf dog.  A dog like Treasure won't be able to see obstacles in the car if I have to stop short and she may be thrown into objects that she didn't know were there, or thrown off a seat that she can't see the edge of.  Or, even if there are other objects that move around the car when I stop, those could hit her as well.  Treasure travels in a crate for my peace of mind and for her safety.

Once at the hotel, I took in our bags first and checked out the room.  It's important to check for anything left on the floor that your dog might get into, but when traveling with a blind-deaf dog, also do a check for any furniture or other items that could be dangerous for your dog.  I also pick up the trash cans.  Although they are empty now, as I start to fill them, if they are already up off the floor, I know Treasure won't be able to reach them. 

After Treasure did her business, I brought her into the hotel and followed her around on the leash while she checked things out.  Keeping her on a leash at first allowed me to prevent her from banging into furniture and walls while she explored.  She loves exploring, so she takes off at a good pace sniffing away.  Once she'd been through the room a couple times on leash, I then removed the leash and allowed her to continue exploring. 

I took a video of her exploring and of her finding me in the hotel room.  I thought it would be helpful to see that a blind-deaf dog will do some bumping into things, but it rarely slows them down on their quest to explore new places.  You can also see in the video that Treasure does not bump into the majority of things in the room.  She bumps into things the most in the corner of the room where the air conditioner was blowing.  I think the moving air currents were a little confusing to her. 

The video was taken that first night in the hotel room, so you can see her actually mapping out a new environment.  She will walk the same area several times to get a good map of it in her head.  The second night returning to the same hotel room, she did a brief walk through to make sure it was the same place, but didn't see the need to map it out or explore too much. 

You can also see her exploring on the bed to find the edges.  When she's satisfied, she then settles down for a snooze.  Treasure really enjoyed not having to share the bed with the other dogs!  She likes to sleep in the middle and stretch out, although she also will sleep with her toes hanging over the edge of the bed ... I think to keep track of where the edge is so she feels safer.  It was interesting to me that Treasure realized her steps to the bed were not there.  She didn't try to get down at all.  

I hope you enjoy the video and that it can be helpful in knowing what to expect while your blind-deaf dog is exploring and mapping out a new area. Watch the video here ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fZM15dES7A&list=UUBaUUGAnbEi0LGzzqAWJykw&index=1&feature=plcp

 

Jazzy meets Balloon!

There's an intruder in the house!  I rarely have balloons in the house, but it was a friend's birthday, so I had one visiting for a few hours.  Jasmine came in from the yard and screeched to a stop way out in the kitchen.  She saw the balloon moving slightly in the living room and was not coming any closer.  She studied it for a moment, moving her head from side to side like she was trying to focus on it, but the more she tried to figure out what this thing was, the more afraid she got.  She was confused as to why the other dogs were running around as if nothing had changed.  

I tried holding the balloon down on the floor so it wouldn't move and perhaps she would feel more confident to come check it out.  She ran into the living room behind me, as far from the balloon as she could get, and she snuck up on it by circling around the coffee table.  It took a long time for her to approach it, even with me holding it still on the floor.  Big brother Brinks thought it was a great toy and was hopping around trying to play with it.  I was afraid he would pop the balloon, but putting him on a down stay nearby helped Jazzy gather enough courage to sneak up on it and sniff it.  And, it kept the balloon safe from harm!

Slowly, I allowed the balloon to move a bit and stand upright on the floor.  Once again, it took awhile for Jazzy to sneak up on it to sniff the strange thing that kept moving and changing shape.  Once I was able to anchor the balloon low to the ground, I played with it myself a bit, bumping it with my hand and controlling its movements.  I guess it looked like I was having fun, because Jazzy inched closer.  Because she can't focus her eyes well, she bumps everything with her nose to find out where in space it is.  She bumped the balloon and it moved away from her.  But, as often happens in situations like these, the balloon then swayed back towards her, and she ran off once again. 



A few more tries, and Jazzy and I were having a grand game!  She would bump the balloon and I would bump the balloon.  Soon she started to bump it over and over again on her own, dancing around and playing on her own.  Any fear had gone away. 

But the whole ordeal wore her out, and she soon found herself wanting a cuddle from big brother Brinks on the dog bed.  How sweet! 

Off to the Races!

Memorial Day weekend, Treasure and I joined PAWS for People at the Fair Hill Races.  PAWS hosted a tent in the Children's area for the kids to stop by and read to the dogs.  Treasure enjoyed laying on her blanket in the grass and entertaining visitors - some who read to her, and some who just wanted to stop by and say hello. 

READing is FUN!!

Good Dog!

Well, it's time for a new double merle article!  Treasure and Jazzy and I have been so busy with outings lately, that there isn't much time to write!  I'll try to post an update on our activities soon, but in the meantime, happy reading! 

Good Dog!

©Debbie Bauer 2012

One of the first things to teach your deaf or blind-deaf dog is a signal that means Good Dog. You will use this signal to teach your dog new things and to reinforce behaviors that you like so they will happen more often in the future. The signal can be anything you wish as long as it can be given quickly and consistently.

Borrowing from sign language, the sign for good involves a flat hand moving from the person’s mouth downward in an arc. Many owners of deaf dogs choose to use this signal. I choose to use a thumbs-up hand gesture since I work with visually impaired dogs as well. It doesn’t require the dog to be able to see up to my face if I am standing. I can put my thumb down closer to the dog’s field of vision. I also use a signal of clapping my hands together to show my excitement.

Deaf dogs also take cues from your body language, so when you give the good dog signal, make sure your face and body look happy. I usually talk to my deaf dogs when I sign to them. Our bodies take on the energy of our words. So if I am using a happy praise voice when I say Good Dog, and I give the signal at the same time, my dog gets more information. My face is happy as I am speaking, and my body motions also convey my excitement. You can also give signals and gestures in many different ways. You can give the good dog signal in a calm soothing way if you don’t want your dog to get too excited. You can give it in a very excited way to get your dog revved up and jumping around. There are many possibilities. Just as we have many voice tones, we have many ways of moving our body.

For my blind-deaf dog, I use touch to show her that she did something I liked. I know her favorite places to be scratched and they convey my pleasure. I still talk to her when I praise. Remember that your body responds differently dependent upon your words and intention behind those words. My touch will feel different to her if I am happy, or frustrated, or tired, or excited. I can calm her with my touch. I can also get her excited and more energetic with my touch.

To teach your dog the Good Dog signal, you will need to find several things that your dog already likes and finds enjoyable. For many dogs these include food treats, toys, a game of tug, petting, going in or out of a door, or any countless other options. Give the Good Dog signal and then immediately do one of these fun things. For the ease of this article, I will choose to use food treats, but if your dog is not interested in food treats, you can use something else.

Do this many times until your dog starts to respond to the Good Dog signal by looking at you intently waiting for that treat. Now start to use the Good Dog signal at other times throughout the day. When your dog does something that you like, give the Good Dog signal and then follow it up with the treat. In the beginning it will help to continue to use a treat after the Good Dog signal to really cement its importance into your dog’s mind.

As time goes on, you can use the Good Dog signal with other rewards. If your dog normally jumps and barks at the back door to go out, you can reward that short moment of calm and quiet with the Good Dog signal and then let your dog out as the reward. If your dog gives you a toy nicely during play time, use the Good Dog signal and then toss the toy again as a reward.

Pool pictures!

Treasure is starting to enjoy the puppy pool this year!  Last year, she could not wait to hop out of it.  In her mind, it was only a large water bowl ... one that she should never stand in!  But this year I invented a new game called "hotdogs on a log," and she suddenly thinks the pool is great fun! 

My gorgeous girl enjoying the breeze by the pool. 

Treasure

Hotdogs on a log!  Treasure's new favorite game! 

It was Jasmine's first time with the pool, and she wasn't too sure about it, even with our new game.  It took her lots of time to get up the nerve to actually step into the pool to get those hotdogs!  But once she got the hang of it, she became a pro!  She even learned to fish out the floating treats by putting her nose into the water.

How far can I stretch?  Notice Treasure coming in from the left side!

It took a long time, but she's got two feet in! 

Yay, Jazzy!  All four feet in! 

And where was Grace this whole time?  Grace has never enjoyed the pool, but she will use it as a large water bowl, stealing sips between wrestling games with her buddies!

Grace (left) and Owen (right)

Grace says, "I am NOT getting in that pool!"



Amazed!

I'm not sure why I am so surprised, but yet again, Treasure has amazed me!  Today was gorgeous.  The dogs and I hung out in the yard most of the day.  Treasure laid under my lawn chair and puttered around in the puppy pool.  Several times during this time, I left and went into the house and  returned.  Treasure stayed by my chair and the pool. 

The last time, I knew I was going to stay in the house, so before I left her, I touched her and gave her the cue for "home."  I use the cue "home" whenever we return home from somewhere and I am carrying her into the house.  I don't normally use the cue while we are in the yard.  And I don't use the cue unless I am carrying her toward the house. 

But I gathered up my things and headed to the house.  Half way across the yard, I turned and looked, and Treasure was making her way across the yard also, towards the house.  I went to the house and carried my things inside.  Treasure made her way to the back door, and came into the house. 

Was she following me?  Perhaps.  But why didn't she follow me the previous three times that I had left her to go into the house?  She patiently waited for me to return.  But this last time, after I gave her the cue "home," she didn't wait.  She responded immediately toward the house. 

She made it obvious to me today that she knows what "home" means, and that she could figure out how to get herself there without my help!  And she left me once again amazed at her intelligence and abilities!  Even after almost two years together, she continues to show me something new.

Anyone who doubts that Treasure leads a full and happy life should have been watching her today.  A warm sunny day with a gentle breeze blowing through her hair.  A smile on her face.  The picture of happiness! 

Hanging out under my chair enjoying the breeze.

My happy girl!



Carousel Park

Treasure is a PAWS for People therapy and READ dog, so this weekend she went with us to man a table at Carousel Park's Dog Day event.  Jasmine is a therapy dog trainee, so she got to come along too!  It was Jazzy's first vendor table event.  The weather was gorgeous and we had nice cool shade. 

Treasure took everything in stride.  She hung out with the other PAWS members, walked around and hung out in front of the table, rode in her stroller, and sampled lots of different dog goodies!!  Jasmine also enjoyed the dog goodies - she ate her way through the day I think!  She met a horse for the first time, and even though I was holding her, she did not like him one bit!  She started out curious until he stuck his big nose near her and snorted her with air.  That was the end of their friendship!  She enjoyed socializing with the other dogs, though, and all of the many children who are right on her level. 

Because both girls are so unusual looking, along with the fact that they were all fancied up in their collars, we had many people stopping to take pictures, ask questions, and pet them.  Many people were amazed and pleased to find out that Treasure is a therapy dog. 

By the middle of the day, Jazzy was getting tired and wanted a place to rest.  I stuck her in the stroller with Treasure.  It was a tight squeeze, but soon both girls were snoozing together as if they did it every day.  Jazzy only jumped out once while we were walking and quickly decided it was nicer to stay put and enjoy the breeze in her face.