Help Toilet Training Deaf and Blind Pup

Hi

I'd appreciate any advice any one has for toilet training a deaf and blind pup. I fostered Beano when he was about 3 months old, (he was dumped) now he's 7-8 months old. He's doing great, well socialised, walks on lead well, travels well, confident. He sleeps through the night next to the bed. The only problem I could really do with some help on is toilet training.

I tried using treats as soon as he had finished his business in the garden but he'd rather just run off and sniff things. He goes out after meals and water like u would do when training a normal pup. The main problem is if we have to leave him to go do a shop or something, he'll poo then run around in it...not fun to come back to!

Again any advice welcome.

Cheers

Clare

Is it only when you go out?


If so and if you are only leaving him for a couple of hours or so, try confining him to a smaller area (cages are ideal for this) with his bed

Is he generally ok when left (other than the toilet training)?

No not always, just whenever he feels the need to go, he goes bless him.

Crates are a no go. He'd be ok with a chew but once the chew was gone he'd freak out. I have a 11 month old cocker so I know all the usual puppy training stuff.

Yeah he's fine left, usually come back to a sleeping pup but sometimes there's a poo and he has has walked in it . I try to time it so he's had one before we go out, or if it's a really short outing I put his food in an old water bottle and he has that to keep him occupied, then I'd put him straight out for a poo when I get home.

so more toilet training in general - sorry, I wasn't too sure.

Really, it's a matter of going back to basics just the same as if he had all his senses. Taking him out after sleep, after food, after a drink and after a play time and as many times in between as you can muster.

Try to ensure that he is in sight when indoors so that you can learn the tell-tale signs that he will give when he needs to toilet and also be able to get him outside should he start to squat.

It can be a pain keeping constant watch, but vigilance pays off because once you break the 'habit' of toileting indoors, reliability comes quickly. All too often, we become complacent and the dog reverts to 'going' indoors so make sure that he really understands before relaxing your 'guard duty'

Yeah at first I thought he may have SA. But we tried him sleeping downstairs in the utility (with a DAP plug in) I'd come down in the morning to him fast asleep. But he'd done wee's and poo's in the night then gone back to sleep, no distress barking or anything. Anyway he sleeps next to the bed now and can go through the night without needing the toilet.

Yeah ur post describes how I toilet trained Poppy last year, plus lots of praise for going outside and ignoring any accidents inside. She picked it up quickly

Think it's gonna be a lot harder with Beano, I don't think it helps with the weather being so nice!!! We can be out in the garden (2 acres) all day when i'm not at work and then he comes to work with me and again can be outside in a big field with other dogs all day if he wants.

Was wondering whether to make him an indoor toilet area? Like some turf in a box type thing...may go away and research that idea!

When you reach 20 posts Pm Sara'n'Scout..
I am sure she would have personal experiences to help you ,,,

Right best I get posting...cheers Murf

I have 3 deaf dogs, 2 of which have some vision impairment as well, however they're not totally blind.

Something recommended on our deaf dog e-mail group is to tether the dog to you at all times, keeping really yummy, smelly treats with you at all times. that way the dog learns to keep track of you, and also you can keep track of the dog. If he starts to go in the house, you'll have quicker access to him, to get him outside, then wait for him to finish the job outside.

In regards to taking him out to potty, then him running off before you can praise/treat, Keep him on a leash until he's done his business, treat then release for play, as soon as he's done.

You can clicker train a deaf/blind dog as well, you can have a specific place you tap on his body, or a vibrating collar (one with no shock option please!) to mark the behaviour. Are you training touch signals with him? Have you any success with things like sit, stay, down and follow? Are you using a vibrating collar with him at all?

what an awesome chance you are giving this dog! and feel free to PM me anytime (after you've hit 20 posts! LOL) I have alot of access to info on deaf/deaf and blind dogs.

I have a blind dog and I trained him by mopping up his wee with an old t-towel then put it outside far enough away from the door and kept leading him to it at the usual times! I also left some of his dried poo in the same place I just kept leading him to it slowly so he could track the way and gave him big cuddles when he did his business. I didn't wash the area down for a while so the smell stayed long enough for him to remember 'his' place to go. It's almost as if he counts his steps then returns exactly the same way!!!

He eventually got it and always poo/wee'd in the same place. Removed horrid stinky t-towel after a week tho but the smell remained on the ground.

I have to be vigilant though and poopa scoop straight away as he will walk over it if it's left.

Having him on lead in the house really seems to settle him down (he sometimes runs in fast circles) so we often do that when we're inside and at other peoples house. He sleeps with a lead attached to his harness next to the bed and this seems to reassure him someones there and he sleeps really well. I could use a training lead attached to me, he could be my little shadow. Then as he starts to squat just move him outside!!

WE've trained a sit using treats and slight modelling, so a slight touch on the bum now and he will sit. Training a down is next, not sure how much to try and do with treats and how much modelling I should be using...don't wanna be to forceful with the fella.

Would a vibrating collar work with a deaf and blind dog? Can understand it working with just a deaf one. May look into that and see what can be done with it.

Apart from toilet training (not a massive issue really) he's the perfect dog, walks well on the lead, travels well in the car, gets on with people and dogs, sleeps through the night blah blah

I sometimes feel bad that I cannot give him 100% of my time though, as I have two other dogs + work (he comes with me though) + college. How do u cope if u don't mind my asking?

Thanks

Clare