I think my dog is trying to kill me.

[Lil Missy]

Well, not really. He adores me, and camps out next to me constantly. Thus, the problem.

He is deaf now, so I must be very careful about how I move around him. When I get up, either awake or in the middle of the night, I must be careful to step over him.

He follows me everywhere. So, if he senses my movement, he jumps up and moves right under my foot to follow me. I can barely move around for fear I may step on him and hurt him.

So, I always make sure to hold on to something in case he moves, so I don't fall on my ass or face. He's also black, thus impossible to see in the middle of the night. So, we use night lights in my house now, for his protection.

I love my pooch. I will shuffle slowly and walk carefully for as long as it takes. But damn, this is an accident waiting to happen.

[kentauros]

1. My all-black cat does that.

He's even been (lightly) stepped on because of it, yet he continues to try and rub as I'm walking!

It's not an accident waiting to happen, though, because it's happened several times already. He always gets out of the way even as I'm trying to find something to grab to keep from falling. I'm not sure why he continues to do that as his hearing is fine. Just dense, I guess

I hope you both manage to remain safe however; it is frustrating when a pet doesn't understand the dangers involved for both

[Lil Missy]

7. Oh, I have a "problem child" cat like that too.

He sleeps with me, and gets so damned annoyed if I move or get up. I call him "snarly butt."

My ex wanted me to get rid of him. I said, no way! He did not like her. He would piss on her side of the bed all the time, LOL!

[kentauros]

8. "Snarly butt"

I guess he understood how to get back at unloving humans, too

I sometimes want to rename my cat to "Yao tse Cat" for all the yowling he does in other rooms by himself

[Lil Missy]

9. Oh, he IS a little poop. But he is MY little poop.

Sorry, but he has a home here till his end. And that is not negotiable.

Little snot. LOL!

[Skittles]

23. my black cat is not just stealthy

he has Svengali eyes and can command me to do things I really don't want to do

[undeterred]

2. all dogs love to lie wherever you're going to step next!

My Harry dog was deaf the last 3 years before he died last summer. He got panicky the first few months - I don't think he knew what was happening. Then he started to hang closer to me and I started making up hand signals to communicate with him. Now thatI have a puppy again I am using the same signals even though he is hopefully learning the commands. I guess its good to have 2 ways of communicating.

[Lil Missy]

6. My dog did not start this especially clinging behavior until he became deaf.

To be honest, I am more worried about accidentally hurting him, than him hurting me.

[undeterred]

14. I know what you mean.

I think he will get used to being deaf, and become a little less clingy (mine did anyway) but when they are old they do get more dependent. I did a major trip over my puppy a couple days ago... he was right in the bedroom doorway in the middle of the night. He just looked at me like I was some kind of clod!

[Haole Girl]

3. I would invest in a lighted dog collar

http://www.keepdoggiesafe.com/collars.html

[Lil Missy]

22. I did order one.

Thanks for the suggestion.

I just 'bout tripped over him again tonight. But I just had a feeling he was there.

I did order one. I mostly just don't want to hurt him in the dark.

[no name no slogan]

4. Look on the bright side. At least he's not a leg-humper.

This is the DU member formerly known as WhyDoDogsLickThemselves?BecauseTheyCan.

[Lil Missy]

11. And that would be a lot easier to deal with.

As far as the other stuff, well, he's a dog. That's what they do.

[applegrove]

5. Both my cats are black. When they jump up on my bed at night I can only tell them

apart by their weight and their particular routines.

[Lil Missy]

10. I can tell mine apart too.

It just doesn't bother my sleep at all. In fact, I find it rather comforting that my pets know they can crash on me like that.

I can still snore though a bomb, LOL!

[applegrove]

16. I'm pretty dead to the world too.

[Lil Missy]

12. He's pretending to be adorable again! Dammit! I know it's a trick!

Little snot!

[old mark]

13. I believe he is afraid since he has become deaf, and he is staying near you

for protection and security. Dogs rely on hearing much more than we do, and I imagine it would be a real handicap to lose it.

He obviously trusts you to help him.

No joke intended here, but maybe you could find some kind of light to put on him. I own a large mostly black dog, too, and he becomes near invisible at night, and is a tripping hazard for sure.
ADDED: That light collar looks like a good idea.....

mark

[Lil Missy]

17. I wouldn't exactly agree that he is afraid, but maybe disoriented?

He knows he has nothing to fear here, and he does trust me.

I have night lights on now just for him. But just a couple nights ago, I tripped on him walking into the bathroom. I did not see him, and he didn't hear me.

What kind of light are you suggesting? Like, a collar that glows, or something that beams like a flashlight?

[old mark]

19. Missy, a previous poster in this thread posted a link to a lighted

collar that might be what you are looking for.(Post #3 - Haole Girl)
I meant to say that your dog is become cautious because his hearing is so limited - he is seeking safety by being with you.
My wife has several chrinic illnesses, and is very unsteady on her feet. I worry a lot about her tripping over our 118 pound black (on top, anyway) dog, who does hear, but does not move unless he feels like it.

mark

[Lil Missy]

20. Okay, got the message, and just ordered a collar per link #3

Good greif, my dog is only 22 pounds. Deaf or not, he won't move unless he feels like it either! LOL!

Thank you, mark.

[wartrace]

15. Pictures? This thread needs a picture of the guy!

I have an old dog "Buddy" who I got used back in 2003. He is somewhere between 14-16 years old according to the guy who was his owners landlord. Sweetest old guy in the world but he is blind in his left eye so I have to be really careful about walking on that side. I also have to be careful when giving the dogs treats because he doesn't see the other dogs tail about to hit him in the eye. I also have to make sure I let him know its me about to pet him or he will react to the touch with a growl/bite. Old dogs take extra work but they are worth it.

[Lil Missy]

18. I'll have to look around to see if I have the camera! My ex might have taken that.

According to the vet and groomer, he's probably part terrier (terrorist!) and part schnauzer. He's about 22 pounds, which is too fat for him.

I'll see if I can find the camera.

Your old pup is adorable. And gawd knows you are right, even as they get older they are worth the extra care and trouble.

Mine knows when I am getting sick before I do. And during traumatic times, like a death in the family, he is practically pasted on me.

I really love my pooch.

[wartrace]

21. Yep, they tend to be glued to you.

My old guy never seems to be more than a few feet away at ALL times. He just seems to believe it is his place to be at my side at all times & he is right.

[Critters2]

24. My first dog, my beloved Lucille, was deaf. I was in a yahoo group

for people with deaf dogs. I found some good advice there. Even learned some asl signs and taught them to Lucie. She knew the signs for "eat", "out", "come", "car", "walk", and, of course, "cookie". I do remember having to be more vigilant with her than with my hearing dogs, though.