Living With and Training Deaf Dogs
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by Diane - Online Dog Coach
You may think that it is more difficult to train a dog that cannot hear you. How would you get his attention? How can you call him to you? Those are valid questions. It’s all in teaching him to WATCH YOU. Now I was lucky. The deaf dog I had was a herding breed; they are always waiting for their next command. “Work me, work me!” But you can teach any dog, hearing or deaf, to watch you. Make sure all the good stuff comes from you: feeding, playing, treating, walking, training. You be their whole world.
Start Training
Start with the Watch Me command. Tap their head to get their attention, then tap your face below one eye. As soon as they look you in the eye, praise/reward them. Always smile doing so. Make up a “good boy” sign. A thumbs up is a good sign. I would rub my heart as a “good boy” sign.
You need to use visual cues when training your deaf dog. You can make up any signal, as long as you are consistent. I use the standard obedience signals, such as:
SIT – a flat palm upward sweep in front of his face.
DOWN – a flat palm downward to the floor.
STAY – again a flat palm, stop sign held in front of face.
Deaf Puppies
There are many puppies that are acquired with the new owners not knowing they are deaf. When in the litter, they just followed what the others were doing. Sometimes the breeder doesn’t know they are deaf. One test you can do is to clap your hands behind the pup. At home if you’re moving around and he constantly sleeps through that movement and noise, it may be a sign that he’s deaf. It may be disheartening when you find out your puppy is deaf, but it’s not the end of the world. They can be taught, and can learn over thirty commands. They can learn as many as you can think up.
A deaf dog is more attentive to you, waiting for your next command. Some other benefits of owning a deaf dog are a dog that does not react to noises such as the door bell ringing or a dog barking on TV. And you can eat potato chips without those big brown eyes staring at you!
If you have interest in adopting a deaf dog, please go to Spirit of Deaf Dogs Colorado. It’s a group for the betterment of deaf dogs. Spirit of Deaf Dogs started in 2000 with eleven deafies, and has grown to over 100 names on the list. Be pro active and adopt a deaf dog. You’ll fall in love.
Read Diane’s story about her deaf dog, Spirit.
Additional Deaf Dog Information
Hand Signals for Deaf Dogs
About the Author
Diane has professionally trained dogs in obedience, agility, and freestyle dog dancing for more than 20 years in Florida and Colorado. Her dogs have competed and have earned titles in AKC and NADAC agility, Obedience, and Flyball.