Sorry, I missed this yesterday. I'm bad and only look at the messeges in the index quick and don't read everything even there.
I'll let you know what has worked for me, and you can take it from there.
The first two are not deaf dog problems, rather hard headed, hyper adolescence(sp?) probs.
I didn't really have trouble with Tenchi with this, because he was was so layed back. However with my spaz herding breeds, this was definitely an issue when they were testing the waters.
One thing you have to decide is if you want a quick fix, or to work through it. No one should judge you on this, everyone has different amounts of time to dedicate to their dogs training and both work for different people. Quick fix is put Boo behind a gate or crate her while eating or doing supper.
However, having spazoid herding breeds.. for me that meant they need to learn an "settle, calm, chillout" command. Otherwise they'd probably end up in their crates most of their life.
I start as very young puppies, but it works no matter what the age. I even taught a 6/7yr lab/golden mix, who'd never been in houses, how to "chill". So it does work but requires a bit of time and dedication.
With puppies, to teach them to "chill" I just use the umbilical cord method. Meaning, if they are out of their crate, they are mostly on leash either attached to me, or tied to something right next to me. They do have toys and can play and once prove theirselves are given more and more freedom. This has nothing to do with outside/inside play times when they have my undivided attention. I've raised all my pups this way, and it especially works well with the deaf and/or blind dogs. It attunes them to you and they learn to read you faster I believe. It also teaches them to pay attention to their "person", because who knows when that crazy lady is going to get up and do something.
Since Boo is older, I'd recommend just trying to teach her a "chill out/place" command instead. Find a blanket/bed/towel big enough for her to lay on in the kitchen area(if that's the only place you're having problems). Bring her into the kitchen with you and have her lay on it. I'm sure she'll break her "down" a zillion times before learning it, but it will work.
Its up to you if you want to treat her while she's down(don't treat her when you release her, just when she's actually laying down). I use treats for young puppies, but sometimes they get too anxious over them and it makes it harder to for them to hold their "down". So other times, I just keep bringing the dog back to their spot and having them lay down again. When they're back in the down, then I pet and praise them. You know your dog best, so you'll know which method works best for her.
I urge you only to do this when you have time to keep redirecting her, otherwise it'll take you much longer to teach it to her. If you don't have the time some days, then automatically crate/gate her.
As for the chasing leaves problem, that could be a bit of a deaf dog problem mixed with normal hyper puppyish-ness. Since deaf dogs can be highly visual, moving things seem to catch and hold their attention. I'd recommend using your halti outside, so you can redirect her attention easier. Does she have a "potty" sign? If not, start using one and sign it and treat her after she goes. As soon as she's done, take off the halti if you'd like and then use some sort of release sign. That way she'll learn, potty first, play second.
Sorry this turned out to be such a book, and I'm sure I've left things out. I have to go get the kids off the bus now, but feel free to PM or respond on here and I'll try and answer any questions as best as I can.
Take care and good luck!
~moni
