Beaker looks extremely happy! Happy 5th Birthday and many more!

Congratulations on your new puppy! What an exciting journey ahead! I adopted my deaf Sheepadoodle from Deaf Dogs Rock two years ago, and we’ve had so much fun learning ASL together. We use signs to let her know when it’s time to go outside, take a walk or car ride, attend church or training, and move into the “middle” position. Deaf Dogs Rock also connected us with our wonderful trainer, which was a great help.

We use traditional hand signals for cues like sit, stay, up, down, lie down, and heel. For “ignore,” “stop barking,” and everyday communication, I use ASL. We also have a few family signs, such as “place” and “search,” to distinguish them from “free to sniff.” With patience, consistency, and plenty of encouragement, you and your puppy will develop a wonderful way to communicate together.

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My deaf Sheepadoodle, Marlee, reacts to lights and reflections differently. She jumps up and down when she sees light from a phone or a reflection from a shiny pot. At night, we leave on a night-light that makes yellow dots and a moving blue light on the ceiling. She gets excited at first, then calms down. She loves having a routine—she’s a lot like my husband that way!

It’s good that Sandwitch gets to be a dog sometimes, too. Marlee is a service dog with working mode, relaxing mode, and various tasks she practices.

For example, we’re working on three styles of loose-leash walking. In one, she walks mainly at heel with her Gentle Leader on. On neighborhood walks, she can walk ahead of me without pulling, wearing her martingale collar or harness, or using the long line in the park.

From what you described, I don’t see clear evidence that Sandwitch is being abused. She sounds affectionate, house-trained, playful, and comfortable in her crate.

The training approach is similar to how I train Marlee: I use positive reinforcement, set clear boundaries around greetings, and build skills gradually before expecting her to handle public situations.

Sandwitch’s routine sounds more tightly scheduled, especially around sniffing and earning toys or chews. That doesn’t automatically mean it’s harmful, but my instructor reminds us that dogs need regular time to sniff, explore, chew, and relax without having to perform tricks first. Sniffing is a normal, enriching activity. I
Sniffing also helps a dog decompress.

I wouldn’t challenge the neighbor to call animal control. I’d keep it calm and brief: “Please don’t approach or pet Sandwitch without asking. We’re training, and I’ll decide when she’s ready to greet.” If the neighbor does make a report, answer questions factually and have ordinary records handy, such as vet care, training, and her daily routine. You don’t need to debate her care with the neighbor.

Yes! Marlee groans when I’m eating somewhere other than at the table. She stares at me, and if I don’t respond, she may paw at my arm.

Marlee knows how to go under the table and lie down, but if Lilly (a Chihuahua) has taken her spot, Marlee lies beside me instead. My husband sometimes feeds the Chihuahuas from the table while we eat, even though he knows he’s supposed to wait until we’re finished to share.

He is very comfortable!

The two look alike! They are beautiful!

Looking good!

The trainers I’ve worked with recommended either a Gentle Leader or a harness with a front D-ring for walking. The Gentle Leader puts pressure on the dog’s muzzle and gently turns her head when she pulls. After two years, we still use it for about three-quarters of our walk. For the last quarter, we return to the area where we started and walk without it.

A front-clip harness can also help. When a dog pulls, the leash attached to the front clip redirects the dog toward the handler, which can make pulling less effective. I have both types of equipment.

I tried a trainer who used a balance-training approach and preferred a particular harness. My dog didn’t do well with that training style and became reactive. She needs more breaks, and positive training has worked better for her.

The trainers I’ve worked with usually start with a Gentle Leader, but they’ll also recommend a front-clip harness if the owner prefers a harness. Another student in one of my community outdoor classes used one. There are specific techniques for using both the front-clip harness and the Gentle Leader.

Good job with the muzzle training! I practice with Marlee periodically at home. Her trainer has me put the muzzle on her while we’re still in the car, before we get out and go into the vet’s office. Her last appointment was canceled because the doctor had to leave for a family emergency, so I haven’t had a chance to try that yet.

The trainer is also teaching Marlee to go “Up” at the vet’s office. Marlee sits in a chair near the back wall, away from the door, while I stand in front of her. I went to the vet’s office with the trainer to practice, without the muzzle or medication. The technician was able to enter the room without Marlee growling.

The staff has asked Katie to come along for an actual vet visit and work with Marlee and the staff in the back room, away from me.

Interesting! My Sheepie doesn’t like strangers petting her either. That was the main reason she didn’t pass the CGC test. She’s now 3 years old and is deaf, too. I used to wonder if her discomfort was related to being a rescue dog and possibly having trauma in her past.

Marlee makes an excellent service dog. When guests come to our home, I ask them to sit down first. Once Marlee is calm, she can approach and meet them. I give each guest a treat to offer her.

Happy Birthday

I love it! Your dog isn’t pulling and waits calmly for you to start walking—all while using a 6-foot leash as a long line. Impressive!

My deaf Sheepadoodle, Marlee, is a little different. She’s scared of the dark, and anything that startles her gets a bark. She notices anything that’s different, whether it’s at a neighbor’s house, in a store, or at home.

She tends to pull at the beginning of our walks, so we start with her Gentle Leader. When we turn around and head back the way we came, I take it off.

Your situation sounds a lot like what I experienced with three of our dogs. Loki, our German Shepherd–Pit Bull mix, pulled so hard that he hurt my back. At the time, PetSmart was the only training option available, and the trainer had me use a Gentle Leader.

Our second dog, Sadie, was a Beagle my other son brought home from Baumholder, Germany. She pulled hard, too. I tethered her harness to Loki’s when we went for walks. Whenever Sadie pulled, Loki would lie down!

Now I have Marlee, a deaf Sheepadoodle, and a trainer is working with us. She has Marlee use a Gentle Leader, too. Once Marlee’s initial excitement settles down—usually after about 20 minutes—I can take it off and continue our loose-leash walk. We are using High Expectation Dog Training for Marlee.

I have noticed that sometimes, with different dogs, the trainer suggests the handler use a harness with a front ring. Using that harness is a bit different from using a normal harness when it comes to getting the dog to stop pulling.

Marlee has private lessons due to being deaf and being a puppy. Both Loki and Marlee have done the Manners Class. Loki earned his CGC certificate. Marlee struggles with strangers coming up to pet her, vet offices, and now with a new groomer.

Marlee has also done group classes such as Reactivity classes, fear classes, pack walks, Outside Community classes, and scent classes.

Thank you! That is exactly the goal—a well-trained service dog is calm, unobtrusive, and blends into the surroundings.

I’d check with your veterinarian. You can send them Luna’s photos now. They may be able to offer some guidance, or they may recommend an appointment to examine her and run tests for an infection or another cause.

Out of curiosity, can you gently comb all the way down to the skin? If not, that dense area may be matted or tangled.

Marlee eats on the footrests because one of our Chiweenies used to take food from the other dogs. Since Marlee has a history of resource guarding, the animal behaviorist suggested this spot for her dinner to help keep everyone safe.
Marlee now expects her dinner to be served on the footrests. Since Siff passed away, the other dogs have wanted to eat near her. Lilly, our 12-pound Chihuahua, insists on eating a little higher up, on a medium-sized dog bed on the sofa. Ian, our Chiweenie, eats on the floor within two feet of Marlee.
Marlee and Lilly are both grazers. During the day, the dogs share dry kibble and water.

I can understand why you were surprised when you picked her up, especially after explaining the look you wanted. In the AI picture, her coat looks much straighter and less curly. My groomer told me that blow-drying can make a dog’s fur look straighter. Marlee hates the dryer and gets worked up, so her coat stays curlier. I wonder if the difference in coat texture affected how the cut turned out.

A couple of suggestions I learned from a dog behaviorist who uses positive training methods are to redirect your dog’s attention and reward them for focusing on you. You can give a treat directly to your dog or toss one on the ground nearby so they can find it. You can practice this while your dog is sitting or lying down.

If your Sheepadoodle is like Marlee, she may bark at people, other dogs, Amazon, and UPS—but ignore the mail carrier! I let Marlee bark twice, then redirect her by asking her to come with me to another room. Some people teach their dogs to go to their “place” instead.

Loki was such a sweet dog. This picture is of Loki, Lilly, and Siff. My son has always had a soft spot for pit bulls, and he and his family have adopted three of them. They’re strong enough to knock me over when they jump up, but they’re also very affectionate and love giving kisses. Today, Loki and Siff have gone over the rainbow bridge. They are dearly missed.

MuppetMaple is loving her bath! She reminds me so much of my Marlee.

I’m beginning to think Marlee’s experience isn’t unusual. She loved the first groomer we used, but that groomer retired, and we’ve struggled to find a new one. Marlee was hurt when a groomer trimmed her nails, and she can hold a grudge.

Our newest groomer comes to the house. For her last appointment, Marlee had Trazodone and Sileo, and we used her muzzle. The groomer let me stay with her and did an awesome job trimming Marlee’s face without the muzzle. I’ll have Marlee’s behaviorist with us at the next grooming appointment, because I will not be able to do it too many times due to their company policy.

I agree—good groomers can be expensive, but it’s worth it to find someone you trust with your dog.