British Dalmatian Club

Volcanic · Joined: 30 Apr 2014 Posts: 2

I just adopted a Dalmatian from the shelter yesterday... they swore to me there was no way he could be deaf. well i've had him since 5:30 last night and he does not respond to sounds at all, whatsoever. He will be going to the vet tomorrow.

So

1. Advice on keeping and training deaf dogs?

2. low purine food plan I have in mind:

-vegetarian or white fish based kibble
-supplement with these things:

calf brain
crayfish
eel
oysters
pig brain
tofu
yogurt
egg
chicken
white fish

what do you think? i got those from a list of low purine foods. i picked anything that was meat or dairy from that list. i will be adding honest kitchen as well as it is prepared with plenty of water.

i don't know how you guys feel on the subject, but dalmatian club of america advises me to put him down and get a hearing dog. that is not happening. he is incredibly sweet, calm and well adjusted and already has some training down from his past owners.

thank you for any advice!

KissCass · Joined: 18 Jun 2010 Posts: 1801 Location: Hampshire

There is some really helpful advice on http://www.deafdal.co.uk/default.htm
Including hand signs. I walk with a deaf dalmatian every day and my hearing dogs have picked up her hand signs too. She is very sweet and well behaved, but you must always approach her from the front so that she can see you.

As far as food is concerned, my boy is a stone former, and he gets kibble carrot, cheese, peanut butter and apples and is fine with that.
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Valerie, Cassie and Alfred the Great

Volcanic · Joined: 30 Apr 2014 Posts: 2

He is really smart and such a clown... He just opened the back door and went for a stroll LOL. keeping that locked now!

Chris W · Joined: 29 Dec 2012 Posts: 140 Location: Western ,Canada

Hello and welcome to the forum.A friend of mine has a deaf Dalmatian.She has had her since she was a pup .She has been taught hand signals and responds really well to them.She is a sweet loving dog and gets on well with everybody and everything.
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Chris , Isabelle and Jasper

Maggi · Joined: 15 Apr 2004 Posts: 3161 Location: Derbyshire

Contact The Deaf Dog Network http://www.deafdognetwork.org.uk/
They are very helpful and can probably put you in touch with other dalmatian owners who have deaf dogs. Training for deaf dogs has to be paramount and always remember to keep them on the lead in any unpredictable situation as they cannot hear danger. Deaf dogs can learn to be off lead and to recall but it takes time and you must always keep the dog safe.

I realise that you are in America but contact these people anyway as they ahve lots of on line help.
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Maggi, Caper & Poppy (Hon. Spot)- Banjoliers, Faithful Followers and Forum Wanderers.

wendymitchell · Joined: 27 Aug 2014 Posts: 10 Location: Alyth, Perthshire

Just wondered how you're getting on with your deaf Dalmatian. I've got a pup who's just going to turn 5 months old. We realised within the first week that she was completely deaf.