Connie Bombaci's Blog

This article is courtesy of Your Dog Magazine by Tufts University

We have often said that leaving a dog and a child younger than six alone together is not a good idea. That’s true no matter how gentle the dog and no matter how well-behaved the child. A preschooler may not realize she’s hurting the dog if, say, she wants to press her pet’s eyes to see if they’re squidgy. Or she may want to play with the toys of a possessive dog and may misinterpret the animal’s displeasure. A new study only strengthens the case for not leaving small children and dogs to their own devices.

Looking at the responses of about 30 adults and 30 young children, researchers in Finland have found that a 6-year-old can recognize aggression in a dog’s face as well as an adult. A 4-year-old cannot.

Keep in mind that a child may unintentionally provoke a dog in an effort to play with their pet. That’s why, until about the time your youngster enters first grade, it’s so important to be present when she and the dog are together.

https://yourdogadvisor.com/heat-stroke-in-dogs/

Our sweet deaf pup, Elsie, sits atop the fire truck in this year's Netflix Christmas movie, The Noel Diary. Justin Hartley was delightfully surprised when he realized Elsie understood American Sign Language by remarking, "That dog understands sign language!"

Deaf dogs CAN do anything!

Be sure to watch this lovely movie and watch for Elsie about 51 minutes in. Deaf dogs can do anything !

5 Tips for Walking Your Deaf Dog Safely at Night

By PetDesk

Edited by Connie Bombaci

November 30, 2022

The shorter days in fall and winter can make it difficult to walk your deaf dog during daylight hours. But with a few safety precautions, you can still enjoy evening walks with your furry friend. Here are five tips for walking your deaf dog safely at night:

Make sure to wear bright, reflective clothing when walking your deaf dog at night. You can also attach a reflector to your dog's leash or collar. This will help drivers see you – and your dog – in the dark.

Along with reflective gear, always bring a flashlight or headlamp when you head out at night. This will help you spot any potential hazards, like cars or dangerous wildlife.

Whenever possible, stick to well-lit areas when walking your deaf dog at night. Residential areas with streetlights are ideal. Avoid walking in dark, isolated areas that could be unsafe.

It's important to be aware of your surroundings during any walk – but especially at night. This means keeping an eye out for cars, people, and other animals. Do not wear headphones so you can stay alert to any potential dangers. You are your deaf dog’s ears

Make sure to carry your phone with you when walking your deaf dog at night. This way, you can call for help if you or your dog ever get into an emergency situation.

 Walking your deaf dog at night can be safe and enjoyable as long as you take some precautions. By following these tips, you can make sure your evening walks are fun for everyone!

Elsie was rescued by That Place Called Home and adopted by Connie Bombaci

By RONNIE CASEY | (Edited by Connie Bombaci)

PUBLISHED: September 16, 2022 at 2:34 p.m. | UPDATED: October 5, 2022.

Two weeks ago I discussed a type of special needs pet, blind dogs. Many factors may make a pet seem less adoptable, such as having a missing eye or limb. Also included in the list are those with health conditions, such as cats with FIV and heartworm-positive dogs.

Other special needs may have to do with past emotional or physical trauma. This month, to promote these special animals, Petfinder has designated the third week of September as Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week. In addition, Deaf Dog Awareness Week was Sept. 18-24 which spotlights another type of special need pet that also may be considered less adoptable.

We had a deaf dog. Even though we did not have her tested, it was very apparent since she never reacted to anything quieter than a mega-ton explosion. However, she barked, played, and, from all outward appearances, did not appear to realize she was deaf. She went on happily with her life. We learned that deaf dogs don’t care that they are deaf. We learned that deaf dogs are just dogs and, like people, have their own quirks and personalities. We learned that deaf dogs are just as loving and devoted as any hearing dog.

Judea loved children and often visited schools to teach children that being different makes them special…and everyone is different.

Deaf dogs really do make wonderful pets. Take it from one who knows. Anything you may have heard to the contrary is cloaked with misunderstanding and bias. The only genuine limitation is that a deaf dog should not roam freely unless there is an enclosed, secured, safe area available for them to do so. A deaf dog cannot hear danger approaching, like a car. Otherwise, a deaf dog trains as easily as a dog that hears. The only difference is that one must use non-verbal signals rather than verbal commands.

Like any training, you must first get the attention of your student. Deaf dogs will not respond to you calling their name because they simply cannot hear you calling. However, they will react to other types of stimuli. Stomping your foot on the ground causes vibrations that they can feel. Waving a flashlight, or clicking it on and off, will usually garner attention, especially when the dog responds and the reward is a tasty treat. In addition, you can use a vibrating collar, which differs substantially from shock collars. These collars only vibrate and are not distressful to the animal.

When teaching basic commands to any dog, the use of hand signals is common practice. Therefore, training a deaf dog with the use of them is perfectly natural. As always when training, after getting the animal’s attention, a command (signal) is given to the animal to accomplish a specific act, after which a reward is provided. Some people create their own set of hand signs for particular words like sit, stay, down, walk, etc., while others learn a few basic words in American Sign Language.

Whatever you choose to do, remember that the signal must remain consistent, so the animal associates the word and the action. Lastly, never strike a deaf dog with your hands. Your hands are the way you communicate with the animal and should always be positive, reassuring tools.

A common myth is that deaf dogs are more aggressive. The reason behind the myth is that if you startle a deaf dog, it will bite. Any dog, whether deaf or not, when startled, may snap or snarl out of fear. Therefore, it is important to work with the dog, so the animal is comfortable having someone come from behind and touch it. A few times a day, wake your dog by very gently touching its shoulder or back, then reward it immediately with a treat.

Soon the dog will associate waking with something good. If you do not want to startle the dog, stomp your foot or bump the bed, they are sleeping on. Chances are the vibration will awaken them. Again, always provide a reward.

Deaf dogs have a tendency to bond strongly with their guardians. In the community of those who have deaf dogs, these animals are affectionately known as Velcro dogs since they are most comfortable when they are near their person. As with hearing dogs, some may develop separation anxiety. However, the training methods to condition them to be unafraid of being alone are the same as it is for any other dog. Always remember, deaf dogs can do agility, therapy, etc., almost anything a hearing dog can do. There is nothing wrong with them. They are simply dogs that cannot hear.

If you are thinking of adding a deaf canine companion to your life, a must-read is the international award-winning book Hogan’s Hope: A Deaf Hero’s Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance by Connie Bombaci. Tips and methods of living with our special pups are co-authored by Bombaci and Dr. Nicholas Dodman, internationally renowned animal behaviorist at Tufts University. Hogan was the deaf dog who broke open the doors for deaf dogs by appearing on television programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, Dateline NBC, and Good Morning America. The Deaf Dog Education Action Fund, (http://www.deafdogs.org/), and Deaf Dogs Rock (https://deafdogsrock.com/) websites are good locations to find additional helpful information and resources. In addition, the books, “A Deaf Dog Joins the Family: Training, Education, and Communication for a Smooth Transition,” by Terrie Hayward, “Living With a Deaf Dog,” by Susan Cope Becker and “Acorn’s DEAFinitely Awesome Dictionary of Signs,” by Mary L. Motley may also prove to be quite helpful.

As author Charlotte Schwartz wrote, “For perhaps if the truth were known, we’re all a little blind, a little deaf, a little handicapped, a little lonely, a little less than perfect. And if we can learn to appreciate a dog’s full potentials, we will, together, make it in this life on earth.” I couldn’t agree more. Why not give these special pets a chance?

Hogan proved that deaf dogs can do anything!

Ronnie Casey has been volunteering with the Tehama County Animal Care Center since relocating in 2011. A retired R.N., she strives to help animals in need within Tehama county. She can be reached at rmcredbluff@gmail.com.

I was recently at a book signing for our international award-winning books, Hogan’s Hope. A visitor who stopped by saw us with ice cubes for our two pups and warned that this was “dangerous.” Hearing this made me dig in and do some research. All the articles and information pointed to the myth of this statement or belief.

This is the best of all the articles I read and now share it with you. Many thanks to Nicole Sipe

By: Nicole Sipe

As we’re about to enter the dog days of summer, you might have seen emails or Facebook posts warning dog owners that giving dogs ice and ice water can harm them or potentially kill them. It’s a downright terrifying rumor that has some dog owners scratching their heads and wondering whether to nix the ice or suffer the consequences. But is there any truth to this Internet urban legend? According to veterinary experts, the answer is absolutely not.

The cautionary tale (titled “NO ICE WATER FOR DOGS…PLEASE READ ASAP“) was written in 2010, but the rumor been circulating since 2007. It centers on a dog named Baran, and his owner who unthinkingly added ice cubes to one of Baran’s dog bowls to help him cool off on a hot day. Shortly after, Baran appears to be in distress and is rushed to the animal hospital. The veterinarian tells the owner that the ice water caused the dog to experience violent muscle spasms in his stomach, which led to bloating. Bloat—also known as gastric dilation-volvulus—is a life-threatening condition in dogs.

Experts believe that dogs can bloat after eating or drinking too fast in general, regardless of the temperature of the water or whether or not the water contains ice cubes. When a dog is hot and thirsty, he very likely might drink the water too fast—and swallow lots of air in the process—which can be a recipe for bloat. When a dog’s stomach bloats, it twists and traps air, gas and food, cutting off the blood supply to the stomach and nearby organs. The dog’s stomach then becomes distended, and without immediate help, the dog can suffer from shock or organ failure, or even die.

Large-breed dogs with deep chests are most at risk, because there is room for the stomach to twist, warns veterinarian John Geller. German Shepherd Dogs, Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Standard Poodles, Golden Retrievers, and Irish Setters are at high risk for bloat.

If your dog becomes overheated, it’s important to cool your dog off gradually, says Geller. Dog owners should initially use a wet towel to cool off any dog suspected of heat stroke or overheating, and then gently mist them off (do not spray them or submerse them in water).

“Do not soak the dog in ice water,” says Ruth E. Chodrow, V.M.D., of At-Home Pet Care, a pet house-call service. “Ice water will close the capillaries of the skin, preventing cooling of the internal organs.”

A fan can be used to help increase evaporative cooling, and the dog can lay on a cool floor surface. Once the body temperature is gradually reduced to 103 degree Fahrenheit, further cooling efforts are not necessary. If a dog is cooled off too quickly, they can go into shock and organ failure.

Now that we know ice cubes and ice water don’t cause bloat in dogs, go research the causes, prevention, and treatment for bloat.

Permalink

I published this blog last summer, but it’s message must be repeated.

Pet, Pet Care, Pet Safety

I posted this information two years ago but it is worth repeating in order to remind everyone how dangerous things can get in the hot summer temperatures. Watching the screen on our weather station located in our front yard, my heart sinks thinking of all the animals outside in the rising temperatures. Too many are left unattended, provided with an insufficient supply of fresh, cool water, shade, or comfortable shelter, and chained to a tree or stake. Why do these people have a pet? Would they like to be chained for hours? Do they care about their dog who depends on them for life's essentials, including real love and genuine care?

The following is a reprint of an article from FOX59 news. The additional requirements of the ordinance are good, but I would like to see them go further. The consequences need to carry a bigger penalty that bites into the human’s purse and personal comforts. Perhaps they should experience what they put their precious pets through. At the least, the pups need to be taken out of the home. Children are taken from unsafe environments, and we need to protect the ones without voices - we must be their voices and protectors.

“Indianapolis, Indiana has a new addition to the Indianapolis Animal Care and Treatment Ordinance that defines the extreme low and high temperatures at which point dog owners must bring their dog inside a temperature-controlled facility.

The new rules were added to the Care and Treatment of Animals ordinance in September 2015, and this is the first summer they are in effect.

According to the ordinance, it is now required by law to provide your dog with shelter when the temperature reaches 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and you must bring your dog inside when it’s warmer than 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

The law also sets new requirements for tethering and enclosures. Here is a complete list of the improvements made to the ordinance, as provided by Friends of Indianapolis Dogs Outside (FIDO):

Shelter

Your dog must have access to:

A shelter constructed of solid wood or other weather-resistant materials consisting of solid walls on all sides

A dry floor raised above the ground

A roof sloped away from the entrance to protect your dog from weather and extreme cold

Pen or Fenced Enclosure

Your dog must have adequate space for exercise when confined to a kennel, enclosure or pen which must be at least 100 square feet (for example 10ft. x 10ft.)

Any dog over 80 pounds must be provided with a space of 150 square feet

For each additional dog inside the enclosure, an extra 50 square feet must be provided

Tethering

It is against the law to tether (chain) your dog if any of the following is true:

Your dog is less than 6 months old

Your dog is sick or injured

It is between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Your dog is not spayed or neutered, unless you are an adult, your dog is in your visual range, and you are outside with your dog

Extreme Weather

Your dog must be brought inside a temperature-controlled building, such as your house when:

The temperature outside is 20°F & below

The temperature outside is 90°F & above

There’s a heat advisory

There’s a wind chill warning

A tornado warning has been issued

Shade

On any day where the temperature is at or above 80°F, your dog’s shelter must be shaded by either trees or a tarp.

"The new ordinance does not prohibit people from walking their dog or letting their dog outside to relieve themselves. The new ordinance is targeted at situations where dogs are otherwise living in extreme temperatures 24/7 or close to it," said Darcie Kurtz of FIDO.

A person who violates any part of this ordinance will receive a $25 fine for the first violation and a $200 fine for the second or subsequent violations. Additionally, a court may decide to take the dog away from the pet owner.

According to the Humane Society of Indianapolis, unlike humans, dogs are only able to perspire around their paws which is not enough to keep their body cool.

Some signs of heatstroke are panting, staring, anxious expression, refusal to obey commands, warm, dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, vomiting, and collapse. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms, call a veterinarian immediately and lower the animal’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body.

Wayne Barber, the award-winning host of his radio program and podcast, The Author Hour, invited me back as his guest for a second time on February 1, 2022. Of course, talking about my favorite subject of dogs, especially deaf dogs, always excites me. I really love sharing with the world that our deaf dogs are capable, smart, worthy, and loving, and Wayne’s caring heart makes the time together meaningful, rewarding, and truly enjoyable. He has come to be a respected and dear friend.

My hope is that you are able to listen to some of this fun podcast. Most of all, I want the listeners to be inspired to hope, believe in that which is not yet seen, and know that all God’s creatures are worthy of real love and genuine acceptance.

Let me know if you have any questions. I look forward to your positive thoughts.

Wayne G Barber

The Author Hour

Radio programs hosted by Wayne G Barber
Originating from WNRI radio in Woonsocket, RI

Picture by Pixabay

The following information has been obtained from The Source, by staff writer Ben Rayner, on February 3, 2022.

In the latest edition of The Source, I read the article in which the Connecticut State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency (DEEP) is reaching out to the community in an effort to educate residents about coyote behavior during these last couple months of winter. My interest was peaked because we live on a four-acre parcel with a variety of beautiful wildlife, including coyotes. My attention was also grabbed because we have a sweet senior pup who weighs in less than twenty pounds and a deaf dog who is roughly 38 pounds. Are there things that I need to know and do in order to protect my precious, four-legged family members?

According to Rayner, DEEP wants to increase awareness about coyote behavior and activity. Because there will be evident increased human interaction, this awareness is crucial and definitely needs to be heightened.

For one, the mating season takes place until sometime around the end of March. Male coyotes can become more aggressive and pose an additional threat to any and all pets. DEEP offers solid advice and actions that all of us are able to take and keep our precious, and often defenseless, pets safe.

TIPS:

Keep pets from running free.

Cats need to be kept inside, especially at night. Dogs need to be kept on a leash and/or under close supervision at all times.

This safeguard is critically important for our deaf or any physically challenged animal in our care. Without being able to hear an approaching coyote, our deaf dogs become endangered more easily, and the possibility of being attacked increases.

Avoid attracting or drawing coyotes into our yards. Never feed any animals, keep areas clean from birdseed, secure trash cans and compost piles, and clean up fallen fruit or vegetables.

Install kennels or coyote-proof fencing when possible. Remember, while it might seem obvious, invisible fences do NOT keep coyotes from entering our yards.

Use leashes at all times when walking our dogs so we can be in control if encountered by a coyote. Never turn your back to or run from a coyote.

Hikes or casual walks are so much fun when our pups are off leash and exploring the woods or area around us. However, our deaf dogs would never receive our command or cues to change course if they were off-leash. Keep them safe.

Remain calm if you cross paths with a coyote.

Remember that a male coyote can be extremely territorial and aggressive.

Attempt to frighten coyotes away by making loud noises and acting aggressively towards them. Be BIG. Coyotes are confident but aren’t prone to wanting to interact with humans.

Report unusual behavior or any coyotes showing symptoms of rabies such as seizures, salivating, extreme lethargy, or staggering. Remember that daytime coyote activity is NOT uncommon and does not necessarily indicate rabies.

Remove any areas that could make possible dens. Animal proof around and under any type of building on your property. Fill in crevices and remove hollowed-out trees.

Keep in mind that it is highly unlikely that a coyote will mate with a domestic dog. Coydogs are rarer than often thought.

Coyote pups. Picture from Pixabay.

Becoming overly worried or frightened about coyote presence or activity isn’t necessary. Prudent behavior and being vigilant in taking these steps create safe coexistence with our beautiful wildlife. We can live with God’s wonderful creatures, enjoy being comfortable in our surroundings, and know that we are doing everything possible to keep our deaf dogs and pets safe.

I often receive the question: “What do I do? My deaf puppy won’t stop chewing on me!”

The answer is quite short and very simple. Use the sign for "No" - clapping the right hand's index and middle fingers against the thumb. Combine your hand signal with a very stern face and gently and firmly - but gently - push the deaf pup back. Immediately get up, leave the room, and ignore your pup. Pups do not like being left and ignored.

When my pup calms even for a moment, I praise and reward. I also give a wonderful, safe chew toy, item, or treat. Repeatedly offer your pup wonderful safe chew toys or items before your deaf pup begins chewing on you. This will encourage, as well as reinforce, appropriate chewing. Consistent repetition will reap good results.

REMEMBER: A tired dog is a good dog. Our deaf dogs won’t chew on us when they are “plumb tuckered out.” Keep your deaf pup exercised and work off that excess energy. Deaf dogs can play and do things just like any hearing dog. Find your deaf pup’s favorite sport such as things like fetch, running, lure coursing, agility, or Frisbee.

The above video is taken from the children’s book: Hogan’s Hope: Discovering Fun and Favorite Things.

Elsie loves her treadmill, especially on day rainy days when she can’t get outside to run and play.