Week 4: Barking at "Nothing" and Finding Help

Finding the Community
When I was researching how to live with and train a deaf dog, I discovered something amazing. There is a large community of people who are not only raising deaf dogs, but passionate about giving them the best life possible. One of the most active communities, with over 40,000 members, is an organization called, Deaf Dogs Rock.

Deaf Dogs Rock was founded by Christina Lee when her family adopted a deaf boxer with a very sad story. The tiny, 10-week old puppy had been abandoned and was found by a river. Christina and her husband were longtime animal lovers, so when the shelter asked if she'd consider adopting him, it didn't take long for them to agree. Nitro had a forever home. But Christina soon realized there was a lack of information on how to raise and train a deaf dog. Deaf Dogs Rock was born out of that lack. The non-profit organization's goal is to "educate the general public about deaf dogs, be a resource to deaf dog owners, and help find forever homes for deaf dogs in need."Lofty goals? Yes. But if you ask me, they're achieving what they set out to do.

You can read more about Deaf Dogs Rock by clicking the link above. 

Posing the Question
Eventually, I ventured away from their website and onto the Facebook page. There I discovered another extension of DDR. There is an active, communicating, large community of deaf dog owners helping each other by posting questions and answers about raising a deaf dog. So, when an issue came up with Roxy, I could think of no better place to pose my question.

Here's what I posted: I adopted my Roxy about three weeks ago. She is having an issue every night. First let me say that she is a well behaved, energetic and wonderful dog. Between about 8 and 10pm, she acts as if she hears something. It's that bark like a hearing dog does when they hear something suspicious. She jumps up and runs toward one of two locations. This is often coupled by her seeming to be on high alert, watching something...but there's nothing there...that I can see.

Sometimes I'd swear she's sound asleep when it happens. I don't know if it might be shadows or reflections or something. Really hard to tell. I just want to help her because she seems so frightened of whatever it is.

Is this a deaf dog thing, or is she just quirky?... Anybody have any insight into this or advice on how to help her? It's interesting to note that once we go to bed, in my very dark bedroom, she doesn't do it again. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer. Karen

Reading the Responses
I went back to the Facebook page a bit later and was surprised to see responses so quickly. I read each one carefully. That night, I went back to the site and was absolutely shocked to see that there were dozens more responses!  Again, I read each one. Over the next few days, more responses came in.

My background as a teacher is in behavior modification. I've written and implemented many behavior plans. I've done behavior studies - looking for what precedes a behavior, in troubled children. So, the one (common) response about Roxy seeing ghosts, just wasn't something I'd consider. But I can totally see why people would think that - I mean, she's freaking out and nothing is there. Among the most helpful comments were the following;

• It could be a vibration within the house that she's feeling. People shared stories of discovering their deaf dog was responding to the ice maker, the furnace starting up, and cycles of things like a dishwasher. Deaf dogs are super sensitive to things like this. Because they can't rely on hearing, they're more sensitive to vibrations.
• It could be shadows or lights from outside. It's virtually impossible to make your house completely shadow and reflection free. Deaf dogs might notice a neighbor's headlights go across the room, where you don't take note of them at all. Or appliances, computers, televisions could be projecting something she's responding to.

A couple of people suggested encouraging her to go to a crate or safe place that she's comfortable in. One talked about covering the crate so sensory stimulus is limited. 

Coming Up With a Plan

I observed Roxy's behavior over the next night or so. As a teacher, I learned that knowing when a behavior doesn't occur is just as important as noting when it does. The things that struck me about her growling and barking are; 

1.     She doesn't do this during the day.

2.     She doesn't do it at night when it's very dark.

3.     She doesn't do it outside.

4.     She's nearly always in the living room when it happens.

5.     It's always after dark but before bedtime.

So what did all this tell me? Well, it's got to be visual. Since my appliances run day and night, as does my heating system, it's got to be something visual. I brought an old dog crate out. It has a soft bed in it, but someone on DDR suggested having sides too because Australian Shepherds and deaf dogs in general, like to be touching their human. This was a sort of surrogate for that. So, I rolled up a blanket and made a U-shaped edge for the crate, on top of the cushion. Then I got a thick sofa cover I wasn't using and put it over the top and sides of the crate. It was now a cozy little den.

The Results

I tried to train Roxy to go in the crate when I first got her and she was very resistant. She looked very fearful. So, I didn't have a lot of hope that she'd use my new house for her. I planned to use lots of treats in the next few days. I got on messenger and was chatting with a friend about it when I realized Roxy wasn't glued to my side. I slowly peeked inside the crate and yup...she'd gone in and was all the way at the back of it, snuggled up and sound asleep!

Since then, Roxy fairly consistently goes to her crate on her own. She rarely uses it during the day, but when it gets dark, she goes in it. She still startles awake at times, and goes on a frantic search to find me (even when I'm a few feet away). But she's much more settled.

As for what was causing the growling and barking, I'm still not sure. A couple of times, I've noticed that the neighbor's motion sensor light had turned on. There are also lights from a nearby intersection, that come through the trees pretty consistently. In addition, Roxy didn't have a place of her own. She had a dog bed, but not a real space. So in providing that for her, the behavior and stress has gone down significantly. She still barks and growls at whatever it is occasionally, but stops pretty quickly.

Instead of coddling her when she gets like this, I simply sign "OK", meaning "It's OK. Nothing to worry about." Most of the time, she'll look at me for the sign and then settle down. She also looks to my old girl, Togo. If Togo isn't reacting, she seems to know it's nothing. Between all of these things, Roxy is enjoying her evenings more.

Yippee! So great to get ideas from those who know. Thank you, Deaf Dogs Rock!

Karen and Roxy (Woof!)