| Tom_H |
| (.333 member) |
| 08/10/16 11:40 PM |
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My dog went deaf
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Hard learned lesson from last week.
Took my 12.5 year old GWP out for the waterfowl opener last Saturday. He is older and this particular hunt is low impact and provides an opportunity to get him out while the brush is still too thick for upland at his age.
I took a total of 3 shots all overhead incoming with him out in front; all high angle shots with the birds dropping behind us.
When we arrived home after a short ride, I woke him up in the back seat and he seemed to have a shocked look.
Once inside the house, we realized that he was completely deaf.
Apparently, gundogs tend to suffer from hearing loss and as they get older it can take less to push things over the top. The only saving grace is that he has a fairly extensive vocabulary of hand signals. He's adapting.
Did find dog hearing protection in a Field and Stream article. Maybe something worth looking into next time.
Tom
| DarylS |
| (.700 member) |
| 09/10/16 04:21 AM |
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Re: My dog went deaf
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Thanks for the warning, Tom. I'd always felt the "hound" ears on my Springer would protect her hearing - guess not - probably helped though. She went deaf when about 14 yrs. old, passing at 16 1/2, but didn't hunt past 12.
| 93mouse |
| (.375 member) |
| 09/10/16 06:30 PM |
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Re: My dog went deaf
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My story is the same as Daryl's - bitch is over 15 years old now. She went completely deaf 2 years ago. It all went quite fast - in a matter of couple of months - from normal hearing to complete deafness. I have never shot anything close and over her. It is mostly age related. There can be issues with dogs that have dropped (floppy hanging) ears that are prone to infections - even when treated those are making an cumulative impact on dog's hearing. IMO no hearing protection would save it at the end.
Still plenty left in her even when deaf - yesterday morning
| Tom_H |
| (.333 member) |
| 10/10/16 12:24 PM |
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Re: My dog went deaf
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Beautiful pic.
I have to watch his eyes as they are going as well. The last thing I want is a deaf and blind dog. Genetics...
He is officially retired but lets see what retirement looks like.
Good hunting.
Tom
| iomskp |
| (.300 member) |
| 13/10/16 03:08 PM |
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Re: My dog went deaf
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I know exactly how they feel.
| Tom_H |
| (.333 member) |
| 15/10/16 11:16 AM |
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Re: My dog went deaf
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Update...I know that he is adapting because he selectively listens to the hand signals now.
Difference between a smart dog and a really smart dog?
Smart dog knows when they're bad, a really smart dog knows when they can get away with it.
Cheers,
Tom