Maybe Deaf

Ripley509 · Jul 15, 2017

Aftee joking this weekend that Ripley might be deaf since she doesn't acknowledge us, we started seriously worrying about it. She doesn't seem to respond to anything auditory. She was asleep on the couch and we tried putting a squeak toy behind her ear and squeaking it and she didn't even flinch. Same with clapping and whistling. When she was awake, same, not really any response. Needless to say we are devastated. I knew white and pied dogs could be prone to deafness but I guess in our excitement to get a new pup it didn't even occur to me that she might be deaf. We are making an appointment with the vet next week to see if we can verify but we feel pretty certain she is.

Any advice on raising a deaf Frenchie?

2bullymama · Jul 16, 2017

[MENTION=894]blushy[/MENTION] has a deaf baby, she can give some insight

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blushy · Jul 16, 2017

Hi!

When we got Titan we had no idea he was deaf, so I can definitely relate!

The only difference with a deaf and hearing is that you literally cannot let them off leash anywhere unfenced. You can tether train and leash "look at me" and "watch me" but I really didn't have the time or patience for that type of training being a busy mom with another dog. I tried it but it wasn't for us. Titan is very attentive anyway, so as long as he's in a harness out and about I feel safe.

You'll need to choose either motions or actual sign language for commands. Titan knows sit, down, off, give paw, wait. It's never too early to start training! He knew wait within a couple days of us getting him! And he's now 2 1/2 and JUST learned give paw. They're so resilient it's amazing!

You need to definitely crate train. You can choose a normal crate, or a gated safe room, whichever but deaf dogs are more prone to separation anxiety, and everything I've read said always crate them when you aren't home so they're safe. I agree. Titan has only gotten away from me twice. I think I had two heart attacks. One when he was a baby the clip on his harness broke off (but he was a tiny slow baby so it wasn't a big deal but I was alone at 11pm lol) and my son accidently let him out as soon as I took his harness off on the 4th of July. We lured him back home. Thank god I live on a dead end!

I didn't let him sleep with us for a solid year because of the fact they're prone to separation anxiety. But since he's never shown signs of it, he sleeps with us now. He's the sweetest snuggler around!

He's just like any other dog. And I swear he's such a good boy. After owning a deaf dog I'd be so unbothered a second time around! But I do understand the stress of thinking your pup is fine and normal and getting hit with the news they're deaf!

If you'd like feel free to message me!

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ElaineBenes · Jul 16, 2017

My little guy is deaf also. He looks a great deal like your puppy. I noticed when I first saw the pictures you posted of her. We suspected that JP was deaf the first day we brought him home. As he is the first puppy I have ever raised myself, I was really nervous about it, but I decided that since I work from home and do not have kids or other dogs, I had the time to give it a try. I agree with the previous poster about having to be careful to never let your deaf dog out in the open without being on a leash. We have a fenced in backyard, and that is the only place JP is allowed to go off leash, other than the house. He has learned signs for sit, shake, down, speak and go potty. Thumbs up means "good boy." He can be very clingy at times, and doesn't love to be left alone, but we haven't had any separation anxiety issues so far. He is very wary of other dogs that we encounter on walks, but he loves people, and is very popular with the neighbors.

I am still learning as I go, and there are lots of things I would probably do differently if I had a second chance. We love him to pieces, though, and wouldn't trade him for anything in the world!

ElaineBenes · Jul 16, 2017

Here are a couple of pictures of JP. I can't figure out how to fix them so they're not sideways.

davidh · Jul 16, 2017

You have a precious pup, and some good advice about. Take your time and be patient, you will have a loving Frenchie and can be trained with sign language in no time.

Alice Kable · Jul 17, 2017

JP is adorable!

blushy · Jul 17, 2017

ElaineBenes said:
My little guy is deaf also. He looks a great deal like your puppy. I noticed when I first saw the pictures you posted of her. We suspected that JP was deaf the first day we brought him home. As he is the first puppy I have ever raised myself, I was really nervous about it, but I decided that since I work from home and do not have kids or other dogs, I had the time to give it a try. I agree with the previous poster about having to be careful to never let your deaf dog out in the open without being on a leash. We have a fenced in backyard, and that is the only place JP is allowed to go off leash, other than the house. He has learned signs for sit, shake, down, speak and go potty. Thumbs up means "good boy." He can be very clingy at times, and doesn't love to be left alone, but we haven't had any separation anxiety issues so far. He is very wary of other dogs that we encounter on walks, but he loves people, and is very popular with the neighbors. I am still learning as I go, and there are lots of things I would probably do differently if I had a second chance. We love him to pieces, though, and wouldn't trade him for anything in the world!

I do thumbs up for good boy, too. It's definitely a learning experience. Especially when you get the dog and have no idea and have never even thought of owning a deaf dog.

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ElaineBenes · Jul 17, 2017

Indeed! I never in a million years thought I would be raising a deaf puppy. I have become so used to it now that I almost forget that other dogs CAN hear! I have thought about getting a second dog that can maybe help be J's "ears." It will have to wait until I temporarily forget what a pain in the butt puppies are though.

TwoRIFrenchies · Jul 18, 2017

My dog Hobbes is 100% deaf in both ears. He just turned 1 years old, and I found out at 8 months. I had suspected since the day I brought him home that he could not hear me, but I figured he had a little bit of stubborn puppy syndrome (haha). My heart broke when I found out he could not hear me telling him how much I love him every day BUT nothing has changed I still talk to him everyday like he can hear me.

I am 100% attached to this little guy and raising a deaf dog is new territory to me but he is worth every experience. Hobbes can never not be on a leash, however all of his other senses are definitely heightened. He is just as playful, crazy, alert & energetic as a hearing pup. Training him with hand signals has been tough but luckily these dogs are very treat motivated. &#55357;&#56841; I have to say potty training was the hardest because he could not hear me but with a little bit of help from crate training, he had it mastered in no time! I have socialized him with other dogs since day 1 so he loves playing and snuggling with other dogs and people, you would never know he cannot hear.

I did however notice Hobbes was experiencing separation anxiety, this may have been my fault because he is with me 24/7 (he even comes to work with me). I did get Hobbes a little sister (Callie, 4.5 months) they are learning together, bonding, and becoming best friends.

Hobbes may be deaf but he is no different than any other dog. He is happy and a true shining light in our lives! (attached is a picture, he has the biggest ears ever- ironic right?) &#55357;&#56834;&#55357;&#56473;

Ripley509 · Jul 18, 2017

Thanks all for your feedback. It's comforting to hear. We were pretty heartbroken because we obviously had different expectations. The vet confirmed today that she is 100% deaf. So I guess our next step is to grieve the loss of the expectation and move forward with training. Thank you all again - I'll probably be posting a lot with questions, etc. Hope you don't mind.

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TwoRIFrenchies said:
My dog Hobbes is 100% deaf in both ears. He just turned 1 years old, and I found out at 8 months. I had suspected since the day I brought him home that he could not hear me, but I figured he had a little bit of stubborn puppy syndrome (haha). My heart broke when I found out he could not hear me telling him how much I love him every day BUT nothing has changed I still talk to him everyday like he can hear me.

I am 100% attached to this little guy and raising a deaf dog is new territory to me but he is worth every experience. Hobbes can never not be on a leash, however all of his other senses are definitely heightened. He is just as playful, crazy, alert & energetic as a hearing pup. Training him with hand signals has been tough but luckily these dogs are very treat motivated. �� I have to say potty training was the hardest because he could not hear me but with a little bit of help from crate training, he had it mastered in no time! I have socialized him with other dogs since day 1 so he loves playing and snuggling with other dogs and people, you would never know he cannot hear.

I did however notice Hobbes was experiencing separation anxiety, this may have been my fault because he is with me 24/7 (he even comes to work with me). I did get Hobbes a little sister (Callie, 4.5 months) they are learning together, bonding, and becoming best friends.

Hobbes may be deaf but he is no different than any other dog. He is happy and a true shining light in our lives! (attached is a picture, he has the biggest ears ever- ironic right?) ��

View attachment 10546 View attachment 10545

He is precious - love those big ears.

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ElaineBenes said:
Here are a couple of pictures of JP. I can't figure out how to fix them so they're not sideways.

Adorable

blushy · Jul 18, 2017

[MENTION=2638]Ripley509[/MENTION] it's just a little more complicated. I think my deaf boy listens better than my hearing girl

very attentive and knows when I walk in the door even if he's asleep from my scent. You'll get the hang of it. And your dog will definitely watch your every move.

Our vet told me that since I eat ice a lot, and Titan sees me chew because he watches me, that's why he chews ice but not a lot of other things. They will pick up your facial expressions of "happy" when they are good and "mad" when they misbehave. Think of yourself as a mime in their eyes. I know in his little deaf mind I have to look like an absolute lunatic talking 24/7. [emoji23]

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PennytheFrenchie · Jul 26, 2017

Sorry to hear about Ripley. Some tips for training since your baby is so young, is hand motions and a lot of eye contact. I started out training Penny with commands but now use hand motions (a pat on my knee means to come, tapping on the ground means down, snapping means sit, etc.) I hope the hand motions can help with Ripley!

ray:

TwoRIFrenchies · Aug 8, 2017

Thank you. I promise that little nugget will feel your love, it won't matter that she can't hear it. I still find myself talking to Hobbes everyday like he can hear and he just stares at me haha. Good luck with your new love!! <3