Communicating with a senior dog

Communication can adapt as hearing, vision or movement changes. Explore cues, positioning and comfortable learning with senior dogs, including when missed signals may call for a health assessment rather than more training.

Training mode

Communicating with a senior dog

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1. A deaf dog faces away when you give a familiar hand cue. What should you change first?

A deaf dog faces away when you give a familiar hand cue. What should you change first? The number of shouted repetitions Your position so he can see you The severity of your response
2. A familiar sit is uncomfortable for this senior. What should a reward session use?

A familiar sit is uncomfortable for this senior. What should a reward session use? Repeated sits until he complies Pressure on his back A comfortable voluntary action instead
3. What distinguishes a request cue from a reward marker?

What distinguishes a request cue from a reward marker? A marker replaces every reward forever Both must mean “sit” One requests an action; the other identifies a successful moment
4. One carer uses an open hand for “wait”, another for “come”. What needs agreeing?

One carer uses an open hand for “wait”, another for “come”. What needs agreeing? A shared meaning for each gesture Which person has the louder voice A different gesture every day
5. What is a useful goal for adapting communication in later life?

What is a useful goal for adapting communication in later life? Preventing him from ever needing support Making everyday interactions understandable and comfortable Proving the dog can still perform every old exercise
6. When marking a comfortable action, what makes the message clearer?

When marking a comfortable action, what makes the message clearer? Waiting until several unrelated actions have passed Marking the intended moment promptly Changing the marker after every success
7. A blind dog with useful hearing cannot see your visual reward marker. Which adaptation makes sense?

A blind dog with useful hearing cannot see your visual reward marker. Which adaptation makes sense? A distinct audible marker taught with rewards Silent facial expressions alone A smaller hand gesture
8. Your deaf dog becomes worried when you disappear unnoticed. What may help?

Your deaf dog becomes worried when you disappear unnoticed. What may help? Sneaking away more quickly Letting him see you leave Demanding that he guess your location
9. Your dog starts missing familiar visual cues and bumping into things. What comes before assuming a training problem?

Your dog starts missing familiar visual cues and bumping into things. What comes before assuming a training problem? Replacing every word in his vocabulary A stricter obedience programme Veterinary assessment of the change
10. Why avoid a reward-marker word used constantly in unrelated conversation?

Why avoid a reward-marker word used constantly in unrelated conversation? Every marker must be a whistle Its meaning may become less clear Dogs cannot learn spoken words
11. You consider a light signal to attract a deaf dog’s attention. What must you avoid?

You consider a light signal to attract a deaf dog’s attention. What must you avoid? Shining it into his eyes Checking that he can see the signal Making the signal predictable
12. A senior dog sees a new reward gesture for the first time. Does it already mean “correct”?

A senior dog sees a new reward gesture for the first time. Does it already mean “correct”? No, its meaning needs to be learned Yes, every dog recognises human approval gestures Yes, if the gesture is large enough
13. Where should an unfamiliar communication exercise begin?

Where should an unfamiliar communication exercise begin? Beside an exciting food queue At the busiest dog gathering Somewhere calm with few competing demands
14. Does teaching an obstacle-warning word make an open stairwell safe for a blind dog?

Does teaching an obstacle-warning word make an open stairwell safe for a blind dog? No, physical safety measures are still needed Yes, if the carer speaks continuously Yes, once he has heard the word
15. Hearing and vision both appear to decline. What is the soundest approach?

Hearing and vision both appear to decline. What is the soundest approach? Test his senses by deliberately frightening him Assume a standard hand signal will solve everything Assess his individual abilities with the veterinary team
16. A blind dog learns a useful verbal cue. What has improved?

A blind dog learns a useful verbal cue. What has improved? Proof that his eyes have recovered His ability to see every obstacle Communication, not necessarily eyesight
17. A dog does not understand a newly introduced signal. What is useful?

A dog does not understand a newly introduced signal. What is useful? Repeat more forcefully without teaching Return to an easier rewarded step Assume deliberate disobedience
18. A guest wants to interact with your dog who cannot see. What should the briefing emphasise?

A guest wants to interact with your dog who cannot see. What should the briefing emphasise? Reaching straight over his head Surprising him with a hug Letting the dog choose whether to approach
19. A dog manages a familiar room but struggles in another setting. Does that rule out reduced vision?

A dog manages a familiar room but struggles in another setting. Does that rule out reduced vision? Yes, vision works identically everywhere No, familiar surroundings may hide difficulties Yes, only total blindness affects behaviour
20. A senior walks away from a short practice session. What is appropriate?

A senior walks away from a short practice session. What is appropriate? Withhold normal care until he returns Block his exit until he finishes Let him stop and review the session’s demands

Questions covered in this exam

A deaf dog faces away when you give a familiar hand cue. What should you change first?
One carer uses an open hand for “wait”, another for “come”. What needs agreeing?
A senior dog sees a new reward gesture for the first time. Does it already mean “correct”?
A blind dog with useful hearing cannot see your visual reward marker. Which adaptation makes sense?
What distinguishes a request cue from a reward marker?
A familiar sit is uncomfortable for this senior. What should a reward session use?
A guest wants to interact with your dog who cannot see. What should the briefing emphasise?
Why avoid a reward-marker word used constantly in unrelated conversation?
A dog does not understand a newly introduced signal. What is useful?
Your deaf dog becomes worried when you disappear unnoticed. What may help?
Your dog starts missing familiar visual cues and bumping into things. What comes before assuming a training problem?
A dog manages a familiar room but struggles in another setting. Does that rule out reduced vision?
Where should an unfamiliar communication exercise begin?
You consider a light signal to attract a deaf dog’s attention. What must you avoid?
A senior walks away from a short practice session. What is appropriate?
A blind dog learns a useful verbal cue. What has improved?
Does teaching an obstacle-warning word make an open stairwell safe for a blind dog?
Hearing and vision both appear to decline. What is the soundest approach?
When marking a comfortable action, what makes the message clearer?
What is a useful goal for adapting communication in later life?

Communicating with a senior dog

Communicating with a senior dog

1. A deaf dog faces away when you give a familiar hand cue. What should you change first?

2. A familiar sit is uncomfortable for this senior. What should a reward session use?

3. What distinguishes a request cue from a reward marker?

4. One carer uses an open hand for “wait”, another for “come”. What needs agreeing?

5. What is a useful goal for adapting communication in later life?

6. When marking a comfortable action, what makes the message clearer?

7. A blind dog with useful hearing cannot see your visual reward marker. Which adaptation makes sense?

8. Your deaf dog becomes worried when you disappear unnoticed. What may help?

9. Your dog starts missing familiar visual cues and bumping into things. What comes before assuming a training problem?

10. Why avoid a reward-marker word used constantly in unrelated conversation?

11. You consider a light signal to attract a deaf dog’s attention. What must you avoid?

12. A senior dog sees a new reward gesture for the first time. Does it already mean “correct”?

13. Where should an unfamiliar communication exercise begin?

14. Does teaching an obstacle-warning word make an open stairwell safe for a blind dog?

15. Hearing and vision both appear to decline. What is the soundest approach?

16. A blind dog learns a useful verbal cue. What has improved?

17. A dog does not understand a newly introduced signal. What is useful?

18. A guest wants to interact with your dog who cannot see. What should the briefing emphasise?

19. A dog manages a familiar room but struggles in another setting. Does that rule out reduced vision?

20. A senior walks away from a short practice session. What is appropriate?

Further reading

Snoutscoop

Communicating with a senior dog

1. A deaf dog faces away when you give a familiar hand cue. What should you change first?

2. A familiar sit is uncomfortable for this senior. What should a reward session use?

3. What distinguishes a request cue from a reward marker?

4. One carer uses an open hand for “wait”, another for “come”. What needs agreeing?

5. What is a useful goal for adapting communication in later life?

6. When marking a comfortable action, what makes the message clearer?

7. A blind dog with useful hearing cannot see your visual reward marker. Which adaptation makes sense?

8. Your deaf dog becomes worried when you disappear unnoticed. What may help?

9. Your dog starts missing familiar visual cues and bumping into things. What comes before assuming a training problem?

10. Why avoid a reward-marker word used constantly in unrelated conversation?

11. You consider a light signal to attract a deaf dog’s attention. What must you avoid?

12. A senior dog sees a new reward gesture for the first time. Does it already mean “correct”?

13. Where should an unfamiliar communication exercise begin?

14. Does teaching an obstacle-warning word make an open stairwell safe for a blind dog?

15. Hearing and vision both appear to decline. What is the soundest approach?

16. A blind dog learns a useful verbal cue. What has improved?

17. A dog does not understand a newly introduced signal. What is useful?

18. A guest wants to interact with your dog who cannot see. What should the briefing emphasise?

19. A dog manages a familiar room but struggles in another setting. Does that rule out reduced vision?

20. A senior walks away from a short practice session. What is appropriate?

Further reading

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