Miz J

I wrote on here some time ago about Oliver my deaf boxer who has some "issues". Hes a pretty scared dog essentially and we have been working with Advanced Behavioural Training for a couple of months now. We have him to the point where he knows a warning sign from a dog and he walks away or if realy frightened will come to one of us. He knows how to give another dog a warning sign so that it gives him space. Thanks to the two huskies he has been working with he has come such a long way. Before this Ol did not know what warning signs were so had no idea about the appropriate thing to do in those circumstances so just went in for an attack. He now has options, to walk away, submit, go behind us when hes on lead or come and find us if off lead. He is a dog that will always need his space respected and now he is getting the hang of how to tell other dogs that without aggression. He is still a work in progress. He will be ready for classes soon and it will be with ABT in a really controlled environment to keep his anxiety checked. Looking forward to it, hes come such a long way. Oh BTW they huskies he works with are amazing dogs, they are therapy dogs and its been a real experience to watch them working with him. Never thought we would be able to have him off lead with them. Well done Big O!!

I possibly need to board our 3 boxers for 2 weeks in October. Can anyone advise of kennels that they have used and have been happy with or know of reputable pet/house sitting agencies? I would prefer them to stay at home but may need to board them. I have used Penfield Park Kennels in the past ans was happy with the care the dogs received. We had 2 b=dogs then. We have since introduced a deaf boxer to the mix and he does need some patience and TLC.

Advanced Behavioural Training in Regency Park SA, Amy Van Dyk is amazing, she is working with us and our deaf reactive boxer

Thanks for letting me know about this thread Snook. I have a trio of boxers, one is selectively dog reactive and is deaf, I mean really deaf. Can pose a bit of a problem. He and we have been throught a delta program, he does really well till his space is encroached. I am pretty sure its fear based, flight or fight and he more often than not will fight. He is exceptionally responsive to training and when we get his attention its so easy. He can be distracted easily by food but considering hes 40kg I dont want to push that issue any more. Attempting to teach check in right now so will see how he goes. He seems pretty fixated on small dogs that move quickly. He doesnt exhibit the classical signs such as the hair standing, posturing or growl. We have picked up on a few subtle things he will do. His head drops ever so slightly and thats really about it. Hes a bloody sniper. He has been to a dog park a few times with a very controlled bunch of dogs and owners. Because he is deaf he will never be off lead in an unfenced area. In regard to the back packs cannot recommend them enough. I have one for my youngest boxer, hes a lunatic and a beautiful clown. The dog loves every one and every other animal he meets. He goes to the shops with his back pack on and its loaded on the way back. He even carries the OJ and the paper. Hes knackered when he gets home. Hes a highly energetic dog.

What a beautiful face

Oh I like you Thanks 3Amigos

Thank you to the faculty for nominating me. I am truly grateful. Unfortunately I couldn't get to the ceremony so a huge thanks to Heather and Kelly from Adelaide All Breed Dog Rescue for accepting on my behalf. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to those of you who won in your categories. Recognition among peers is such an honour. Canberra next year Joyce. Pencil it in. Done!

Will post some more, this dog rocks and hes wide awake !!! Will show you the happy whiteys that have no idea that they are not quite right. I have 3 and adore them, oh and one is deaf but sshhh he has no idea that is talking going on. My OH thinks that Oliver is blessed, he cant hear any nagging !!!!

Here is a happy one, I added to that thread as well, couldnt help myself

Thank you to the faculty for nominating me. I am truly grateful. Unfortunately I couldn't get to the ceremony so a huge thanks to Heather and Kelly from Adelaide All Breed Dog Rescue for accepting on my behalf. Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to those of you who won in your categories. Recognition among peers is such an honour.

Thought I would hop in here. I have 3 white boxers, they are pets, one is deaf. As a PET owner I don't care if my dogs are tartan to be honest. My responsibility is to make sure that my pets dont breed, they are healthy, have access to vet care, they are not a risk to the community, they are trained and socialised and kept safe. Personally I don't see the need to euthanase white boxers, the pup could be desexed before it is sold but this is the breeders choice based on experience and their ability to appropriately rehome. Putting them into rescue should never be an option, rescues are full of dogs people dont want. 2 of mine are rescued which includes the deaf one, the other from a breeder in NSW. We had to meet strict criteria to get our dog from a breeder and rightly so. Our deaf dog has been a steep learning curve in regard to management and training. Having a deaf dog or any special needs dog is not for everyone, it takes hard work, persistance and rethinking how you manage a dog. There are not many around who have the skills or knowledge to manage a deaf dog nor the patience to educate themselves to do it. Yes boxers have a slighly higher incidence of cancers, thats the breed, not because of the colour. Yes the white boxers are prone to sunburn, thats the same for any white dog. My views are purely personal and based on experience as a pet owner, I have 3 wonderful dogs, all have their quirks and that makes them more adorable. Gabby was battered, bred and starved before dumping, she is possible the most amazing dog I have ever had. Henry is a looney, he is spotty, has one blue eye and one blue/brown eye. He is a clown. Oliver was passed around not well socialised or trained, completely deaf. Reading this they are all misfits and I wouldnt have it any other way. I guess what I am saying is that dogs who don't fit into that "perfect" box are difficult to home and everything needs to be taken into consideration for their long term well being. Our dogs are lucky that they ended up in the right place, perhaps I am the lucky one!

Thanks , will pass this on

I am posting this for my friend who runs YP Puppy Rescue please go to her FB page to read more about this puppy. https://www.facebook.com/messages/?action=read&tid=id.294037840644896#!/pages/YP-Puppy-Rescue/136945129709045 Wizard is a 5 month old blind coolie, well socialised with other dogs, cats, children. He has been in foster care since he was about 6 weeks old. Already has had standard vet work done ie desexed, vaccinated etc. He has also had some basic obedience work with a delta trainer. Heather need advice from people who have had experience with rehoming special needs dogs and as you will read below the lady who is interested in Wiz has a dog wo will become blind "question: Has anyone had, or has known anyone who has had, experience with having two blind dogs together? I have a lady enquiring about Wizard, and their Labrador has just been diagnosed with PRA ( very sad) and will be losing his sight anywhere from the next 6 months to 2 years. I thought that if this boy can see for now, that once he goes blind, he and Wiz could have become great mates and rely on each other for the company. But I am unsure. I would love to hear from anyone who may have been in this situation, or has known someone who has..I want to do the right thing for this lady, her boy and Wizard"

Would love to bring my 2 yr old boxer Henry, however I reckon after about 10 m he would get distracted by ... a bee, a blade of grass... and then pretend to be a gazelle on the course! Is there a category for the most entertaining antics?

No reply so far, research done as far as able to and cannot find substantial documentation or support. It all appears superficial and based on animal acitvism as opposed to animal welfare, emotive and infact it worries me that breeders and rescue organisations will come off second best. Dont get me wrong, puppy farming in the true sense should not be condoned but lets look wider and Oscars Law doesnt seem to do that at this stage , I hope that it is tightened up and a document is prepared and submitted to parliament for consideration along with any protest, give the protest some substance instead of emotional propaganda !! Agree or disagree its up to you !! Dont start a fight about this, please be constuctive

Thanks for replying everyone. Its important to me to have a full understanding of what exactly I choose to support or not support. I cant go in blind and emotive. I have emailed Deb Tranter to see if I can see any documentation. If I et hold of anything I will let you know. Cheers

Does anyone have a copy of or a link to the proposed legislation / act "Oscars Law" There is a lot of publicity regarding it but I cant seem to find the document. Cheers

Thanks for the links, very helpful. Seems like a common problem. Hes such a dude of a dog. We have 3 of them and its coincidentally our Oliver who has the tumour.

Does anyone have any experience with mast cell tumours in ther dogs? One of our boxers has a small tumour located on the outer aspect of his hind leg. Localised to the skin and we have got it early. Vet is recommending surgical removal which we will do as soon as possible. Just curious to hear of anyone elses experience with this

Let me tell you about Rainbow Farm in the Inman Valley, South Australia. We are SA residents and love this place. I have 3 boxers and to find anywhere that will let us take our furkids is difficult. This is a 15 acre property, it does have alpacas, goats, chooks and ducks. The goats will give any dog a run for its money! One of our crew is deaf and this is such a fantasic experience for him. He is on lead most of the time for his own safety. Now when we have tried to go to dog friendly places thay ask the breed of the dog and when I say boxer you can imagine ther response. Yup they are active, clownish and hysterical but we control them. Google Rainbow Farm and chat to Lorraine dog size breed etc is no issue

Have a rescue girl whose name was Capri on surrender, the pound called her Cappy, shes now Gabby. To be honest she wouldnt care. Have a deaf rescue boy now as well, he has a hand sign for his name and its the OK sign ( Oliver). If they are food motivated its easy

I have 3 boxers, one is atopic. Its contact allergies so occasionally when it gets nasty hes on a short course of steroids, bathed every other day with aloveen. Hes pretty much permanantly on zytrec. His main problem is his ears so before going onto oral steroids I try topical to see if that will work first. Tried an elimination diet with him and it made no difference at all but they are fed mainly raw. Oh and they are all on fish oil daily and get sardines a couple of times a week. I have found that its trial and error over the last year. He has this for life so want to keep the oral steroids to a last resort if I can. This all began afer he was tattoed at desexing, have been told its a coincidence but thats his worst site when it flares up. We also got rid of a heap of plants and he had a significant improvement on his chest an belly. Good luck, happy to be a sounding board because it isnt easy.

http://www.rainbowfarm.com.au/index1.htm Stayed here with our 3 boxers, absolutely wonderful, ome environment, safe for the pooches and great for the humans. we were able to let our gorgeous deaf boy run like a looney in a safe environment. If your planning on visiting Sa or are looking for a place to tke the furkids I cant recommend this place enough.

Here is our deaf boy Oliver. He does bark but less than a hearing dog. One benefit is that deaf dogs dont hear you opening packets, less mooching!!!

I agree, having another dog really helps. The pup should have been to the vet so get a report from them and perhaps some advice. Your getting a pup so get onto training pretty much straight away. Oliver came to us as a rescue at 2 1/2 and had some pretty bad habits and fear issues. Food is high value for him, it doesnt take him long to learn anything new at all. We had a basic sign language in place within 6 to 8 weeks. Hes a resourceful dog, can open lever handled doors to let himself out ( not great for us, lucky he doesnt close them quietly!!) Find a great behavoiurist/obedience instructor in your area, I am sure someone will advise you and get straight onto it. With Oliver, we find if we slack off just a bit hes onto it and being resourceful he can make the most of it.