Hi all, my 11 year old fox terrier went deaf in a matter of days. Vet has a blood test out and we're trying to find out what happened.
Anyways, I'm preparing for the worst. I don't want to change his lifestyle (no running free on hiking/backpacking trips) but I do have to change my methodology.
Previously everything was auditory- he always came when he was called (outside- inside he was a little stubborn when he was comfortable) and he knew if I used my "angry voice" to immediately stop what he was doing and do what I said (almost always come). Now, obviously, we can't do that.
I'm planning on the whole exaggerated gestures thing (waving the arm for come, big smiles and pets and treats when he does something good) as the main skills, but I really don't think it's fair to take away his freedom in the woods. I am thinking I'm going to get a vibrating/shock collar for this. I'd use the vibrations as a replacement for my normal "come back here" voice (no, internet, the vibrations do not hurt the dog, it's a signal) and the shock for my "angry voice" to be used in cases of emergency or something. I'd also like to get a signal for his collar that will make noise that I can hear (just in case). Of course, the shocking would be tested by me first and it wouldn't be high enough to hurt him at all. He is a fox terrier though, and everyone knows how stubborn they can be at times, especially in chase mode. It would just be a method of him remembering that in this case he needs to stop whatever he is doing and come to me. This might even never have to be used...I can't be sure how well he will respond to the vibrations.
Anyone have any tips or tricks?
