keeping track of a deaf dog

[traveler]

Our dog (small family pet-type dog) has pretty much gone deaf since last fall. She's 12 plus, but still gets around fine.

With all the snow this winter, we've transitioned from calling for her to keeping an eye on her in the (very) limited areas we could keep clear!

But summers coming, and she's always gotten to run loose at the cabin. Theres the river, lots of tall grass, all kinds of places for her to get out of sight. Obviously we're going to be restricting her freedom more than in the past, and trying to keep a much closer eye on her. But we'd still like to keep her "quality of life" as good as we can in her declining years. And less freedom isn't gong to sit well with her, obviously:)

I though about putting bells on her, and will if I don't come up with anything better. Any thoughts on the best options here?

I saw "vibrating collars", like a shock collar but just vibration, to get their attention. But she's a terrier, and was never that big on doing what we want anyway, plus the "old dogs and new tricks" thing...so I don't see that as being very helpful.

What I though of, but haven't found...is there something, either marketed for the purpose, or otherwise, that I could attach to her that would possibly emit a load noise when remotely triggered? That would be great...much louder than bells. Some kind of small, remotely triggered alarm I guess. The rub is it would have to be waterproof...afraid that might be the kicker.

So...any thoughts?

[CAMAN]

Garmin makes a tracker/receiver combo for dogs that uses gps and uhf to help you locate the dog. That comes in the $4-500 range.

There is also another brand called RoamEO that is fairly similar just not as fancy. That is $180 on @m@zon.

[MN Mike]

SPOT( findmespot ) makes a tracer that is a interesting device. I believe it costs about $100 and will cost you $100 per year in subscription, almost unlimited coverage.

Mike

[DANR]

They make collars for sporting dogs that have a remote activated beeper. The issue may be the size...

[JeffB]

My last collar had beep, vibe and shock. I thought it worked great. My dog seemed to like it because he was excited every time we put the collar on because he knew we were going to play or hunt. Evidently he didn't like it that well though since he ate the remote.

[traveler]

I'm thinking more of a "find me now" sort of thing, rather than a gps system or similar.

Jeff...how loud is the "beep" on the collar?

[JeffB]

It's not overly loud you would hear it of the dog say 30-40 yards maybe. Not good enough if you were looking for a missing dog. What I would do is train the dog to come to you when you push the vibe button. With the dogs sight and sense of smell your dog will find you easier than you can find him. Use the vibe as a calling and he will come running. Call your dog at the same time as you press the vibe and give him praise and a treat some times when he shows up. You will get him running to you just like he could hear you calling his name. Don't associate the vibe with punishment just use it as the way you call him.

[Tom7227]

I have a Dogtra collar that has a beeper on it for upland hunting with a pointer. I can set off the beeper to locate the dog. It works out at least 100 yards and can be heard easily. My dog has been trained so that if I use either the beeper or give him a short tap with the collar he comes back. Trouble is that they cost a lot of dough.

But maybe you should think about the likelihood that you're dog has made it home for how many years. Maybe putting it on a rope when you aren't watching is your answer.

[DANR]

Use the vibe as a calling and he will come running. Call your dog at the same time as you press the vibe and give him praise and a treat some times when he shows up. You will get him running to you just like he could hear you calling his name. Don't associate the vibe with punishment just use it as the way you call him.

Great suggestion.

DT's Micro-iDT collar has vibrate and would work with a smaller dog

[traveler]

I'll give that a try...but I'm working with a 12+ year old terrier who has always had a mind of her own when it comes to coming, especially at the cabin. Too many chipmunks to chase, ya know?

I'll check out some of the vibe/beep collars, and get the smallest one I can I guess. Even 40 yards would help a lot, as she doesn't roam off the property often.

[jerkbait]

Invisible fencing? That always worked for the dogs we had.

[ozzie]

duck tape one of those long stemmed orange flags on it like a bike...that with a bell on its collar and it should be easy to locate!!

[Ufatz]

I really think you simply need to create a system that will allow your little pal some room to run and get exercise and yet keeps him out of harms way. There are various "runs" you can build using wire, some slip rings and a length of chain with a snap. Very simple to do.....I'd draw a diagram but don't know how to do it on here.

The little dog will quickly understand the limits of the system, have a lot of freedom and yet remain safe.

To my mind this is the simplest and most quickly effective solution to your situation.

[DonBo]

Evidently he didn't like it that well though since he ate the remote.

That made me laugh a little.

[traveler]

thanks for the ideas guys. The invisible fence would be great, but going in the river is her favorite thing, and she'd just get around it that way.

I hope to find a collar that will work, and a running tie-out will likely be part of the setup too.

I do like the bike flag idea too:)

[jerkbait]

They make the wireless invisible fencing too. that covers a radius.

[fishwidow]

"The invisible fence would be great, but going in the river is her favorite thing, and she'd just get around it that way."

The Invisible Fence can be placed in the water. Ours goes out into the lake. weighted down by a couple cinder blocks, so the dog can get in the water. You need to pull it before ice forms,though.