The Rip Van Wrinkler, Volume XIV, Issue 2, May 2009

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© 2010, Chris Maxka, “Morning Toast”

Mark your calendars!

Our 14th Annual

SPECIALTY MATCH & PICNIC

will be on July 11th, all day,

in Glenville, NY -  see page 7

FMI -  Susan K-M


The Wrinkler is published quarterly:  February, May, August & November.  Deadline for receiving material for publication is the 1st day of the previous month.

The contents of The Rip Van Wrinkler do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editors, or the membership.   All rights to reproduce any part of The Rip Van Wrinkler® shall be done solely with the permission of the editors.

The RVW Club is affiliated with the BCOA

The Rip Van Wrinkle Basenji Club & Wrinkler ONLINE: www.rvwbasenjiclub.org


As the Tail Turns

ARM WAVES FOR OUR SENIORS

Susan Marsicano:  Trill’s hearing is pretty weak now that he is 15+ yrs. old.
I spend quite some time waving wide windmill arms in the yard.  It’s very green of me
.

Erin Fogarty added: LOL ... Yes, big arm waves! These days I spend much of the time looking like a helicopter or a windmill (or just plain demented). I started big waves, or big pats on my thigh to get Tutsi to come ... then gave her a treat. I knew that her selective hearing had turned to deafness when she no longer reacted to the clicker J

When we're out walking and I see something she may be startled by I tap her gently on the top of the head to get her attention, then signal with an arm to get her to follow in the correct direction. I started all of these things using treats but she pretty much gets it now. To be honest, deafness doesn't seem to bother them at all. Particularly now she can no longer hear Ed barking like a lunatic.

And the good thing about hand signals and arm waves is that your other dogs will quickly learn them, too, so no problems when they go deaf. Logic says dogs are much better of with signals than vocal cues (as long as they're within sight) because much communication between dogs is visual rather than vocal.

Tutsi still looks to my eyes/face for assurance and I'm certain they can lip read so I still talk to her. They will pick up more from your facial expressions than what you say so if you continue to talk the same way you always have done when they are looking at you I'm sure that is comforting for them.

Tutsi says that old age ain't for sissies but it does have perks!

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