Deaf and Confused Dog-Dog Whistle or Not?

[maggiemcgill]

Hi all, my jack russell is now 14 years of age-ish (rescue dog), I've had him for about 9 years now. I recently took him to the vet who pointed out the blue in his eyes, indicating his eyesight was beginning to fail, his hearing is also going. On his walks when he's sniffing around he gets totally engrossed in what he is doing (sometimes for 5 mins or so) even though I may be only a few feet away when he finally realises he goes into panic mode and takes off, usually in the complete wrong direction, leaving me to leg it after him! He generally does not hear me whilst in a panic so it can take awhile to get his attention. A flexi lead has been suggested but I would prefer to keep his freedom. I thought of getting a dog whistle but after searching on the internet I' believe that they should be used with caution and not to use one without correct training? Does anyone know of anything else I could try or tips on how to train my dog in the use of a whistle? He is not completely deaf, just outside with the wind in his ears :)
Sorry about the long winded but I've tried to give as much info as poss! Thanks

[lankeela]

I have to say that at his age I would be more worried about losing him if he panicked and ran off, so I would keep him on a flexi or some sort of long lead like a horses lunge rein. He is not going to need the physical exercise a younger dog would, he is probably quite happy just mooching and sniffing anyway.
I suspect if his hearing is starting to go he wouldn't hear a whistle anyway, and even the so called 'silent' dog whistles
need a degree of hearing. I'd also make sure he is microchipped and has a collar and tag on in case the worst happens.

[maggiemcgill]

Thanks for the reply, eyesight & hearing aside, once he's out in the air he's like a little spring lamb! Hence the reluctence for flexi lead but this maybe the way to go?

[garner]

Hi maggie......I have two oldies both 15 1/2 and I would not risk having them off their flexi leads . My two are hard of hearing and their eyesight is not what it used to be.Being terriers they are the same as regards rummaging.It's just not worth the risk of them bolting ect.For your own peace of mind put him on a flexi lead.Good luck.g.

[wolf63]

I resorted to a flexi lead with my last dog - he too was deaf and blind and senile.

They get all engrossed in what they are doing and, as you say, get into a panic when they find themselves lost and confused. The flexi lead can give them loads of room to wander and run.

It is good that he is otherwise pretty nimble. I hope he keeps going for a few years yet.

[woofgang]

another vote for a long lead....a flexi may not be the best though. Our elderly weimaraner bitch went both deaf and blind. We got her cataracts fixed and she regained functional sight but while her vision was going she was much happier on a long ordinary lead, I just followed her around. The flexi worried her because of the continual tug of the spring reel inside it.
The point of a "silent" dog whistle is the high pitched noise it makes which your oldy might not be able to hear as the higher frequencies go first. You could try getting an ordinary whistle and blow it at mealtimes as well as calling him to eat, any time you call him for something nice, blow the whistle as well he will soon catch on.
you might not even need to buy a whistle, I whistle my dogs just using my mouth like you would whistle a tune...the advantage is that you can't lose or forget the whistle lol....it carries amazingly well too.

[abstibus]

I had a Jack Russell who was also deaf (sometimes selectively, I believe) and had cataracts. I was also lucky enought to have a Lab/Collie who would head him off when he was on one of his 'errands'. I would also strongly advise a long lead - either a lunge lead or a flexi.

[maggiemcgill]

Thanks Everybody, could any of you explain the difference between a flexi-lead and a lunge lead? It looks like i'm gonna have to go with something like this.

[maggiemcgill]

(afterthought)= Hey Woofgang, do you have anymore tips regarding the ordinary whistle?

[lankeela]

A flexi lead is one that retracts into a plastic handle and is usually a very thin nylon cord, or a flat nylon/webbing lead.

The dog pulls the lead out as it moves away from you and the lead goes back in as you move nearer the dog.

A lunge reign is made of wider webbing and is just one long lead, although having thought about this, you might be better off with a tracking line, which is what they use for training dogs to search for items and it lets them go out on a long lead without it being as bulky as a lunge rein.

http://www.safe-servers.co.uk/~dogstuff/acatal og/Leads.html

look at this link and scroll down to tracking line.

Personally I can't stand flexi leads as I get all caught up in them and if you grab them by mistake they can cut your hand or get wound round the dogs leg.

[woofgang]

dh got an acme "thunderer" off ebay but sports stores and leather/shoe mender type stores also sell them. All we did was whistle then when the dog looks at you treat or praise any time you would normally call him for something nice, whistle as well...be a bit cautious about using it in the garden at 11 oclock at night lol. The thunderer gets louder the harder you blow it. Acme actually have a whistle site
http://acmewhistles.co.uk/xcart/customer/home. php
you can even get a pink whistle if you are so inclined

[woofgang]

PS I actually found that a five foot training lead was enough for my dog, unless you are in a very open area, a longer lead gets wrapped around everything!!