Training a deaf dog

[JonandMichelle]

Was wondering if anyone has had any experience in this area? Any suggestions on books?

I have only found two books:

Living with a Deaf Dog by Susan Cope-Becker

Hear, Hear! A Guide to Training a Deaf Puppy by Barry Eaton



Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

[groupieindenial]

I don't know, but I think I saw a deaf dog doing agility at the regionals last weekend here. The handler was ONLY using hand signals, even to get the dogs attention she was waving her arms wildly. Pretty sure the dog was deaf, and if it was, it was an amazing performance, even though it probably wasn't the fastest dog.

I think a lot of husky's tend to be deaf, you may want to look into that area. Talk to people who train/raise husky's/do sledding. I could be wrong. Maybe its dalmations?

[Zephir]

I can't recommend any books, but my first Rottie was deaf. I was about 11 when we got Bo. Found out at 6 months he was deaf. I still was able to teach him to sit, down, catch, and speak. Dogs learn by hand signals and body posture before they understand spoken commands. It should be pretty easy on the basics. I think that there are special collars that vibrate that you could use to get his attention when he's not looking at you.

Bo used to sleep next to the AC unit in the back yard. When we wanted him to come inside we would slam the back door and I suppose he felt the vibrations from the door and would come running inside.

[dmoniz]

I was thinking the same thing- vibrating collar. You could teach him to look at you every time there was a vibration - then teach the hand signals.

[JonandMichelle]

Thanks. Yes, the dog would be trained with hand signals....I was just curious if anyone has had to deal with this situation before....could share tips, stories, ect.

I will pass on about the collar idea. This is a rescue we helped place and we are just trying to continue to help the family.

[RottiMomCT]

I know alot of Dalmations have hearing loss - maybe contact a Dal rescue for help...

[anna&jacksmom]

We have a deaf dog now. She is a dalmation with maybe some pitt mixed in. She learned OFF and NO in 2 days and SIT in about 3 minutes. The dogs that are deaf are REALLY tuned into body language. Just pick the signs that work for you and be consistant. We have found a trainer willing to do basic obediance classes with her. My deaf dog is also tuned into vibrations in the house so a floor stomp gets her attention as well as the vibrations from Anna barking. We looked into vibrating collars but found them extremely expensive. Most days we can't even tell she is deaf and noone knows unless we mention it. Sadie has just adapted that well to following shadows and bumps in the house. If you search on the web for deaf dogs there are a couple of good pages on training and signals. Have Fun!!!

[KateG]

My beloved Calvin was deaf and we didn't realize it till he started training. He could hear me a bit when he was in the heel position, but the moment we started to work at the end of the leash he acted as if he knew nothing. That, plus a few other clues, made us realize he was deaf. Trainer didn't believe me at first, but then we ran a few tests which confirmed the situation. Switched him to hand signals and it was if a light went on. He learned the hand signal for sit in about three repetitions. He was so happy, it was as if someone had finally fixed the TV and he was getting a clear signal for the first time in his life! Actually, I think the deafness made training him easier. He was SO focussed on me and my body language -- much more so than my current rottie girl. In fact his focus was so good, that we always finished first place in our classes -- nothing, but nothing the trainer did to distract the dogs during the final exercises phased him. It was as if the universe was just him and me and nothing else.

I used the standard signals for sit, down, come, stay and finish. When I wanted to move off at heel, I just touched the top of his head and then flicked my hand forward. In fact, I used a little head touch for attention the way I use my hearing dog's name. Not legal in the ring, but very effective in ordinary life. I also added hand signals for drop it (opening and closing my fist), go lie down (palm down and moving the hand to point where I wanted him to go) and no! (both palms down, hands crossed and then moved sharply outward in a cutting motion).

We tried an electric collar as an attention getter for a while, but this was 13 years ago, and they weren't very good. However, it became unnecessary when we added a second dog to the household. Calvin's playmate was a mature (5ish) border collie-shepherdish mutt with good manners if no formal training (a situtation we remedied). She was the one who helped me teach Calvin, "go lie down," since she came to us knowing what that meant. I would give her the verbal command and make the hand signal, and Calvin would copy her. He quickly figured out what the signal meant, and I was soon able to use it even when she wasn't with us (he came to work with me in my inner city museum, while she stayed with my husband in his home office). When we were hiking, I could let both dogs off leash, since they would both come when I called Cricket. In effect, she became his hearing ear dog. However, I was glad that we did not bring her into the picture until he was solid on his basic commands -- and that we brought her in as an older, trained dog rather than an unruly puppy.

[StephanieandToby]

Our Maltese was deaf as a post. To get his attention, we would stamp our feet on the floor (for the vibration)and use hand signals for the rest. He coped very well and lived to be 18.

[LuvinNina25]

hand signals sit would be putting your hand down slowly..no is shaking your hand or finger

[BellasMom]

This website is a GREAT source of info and resources for deaf dogs....

http://www.deafdogs.org/

Our rescue placed a deaf pittie last fall who is becoming an EXCELLENT tracking dog, and I've also seen a couple of deaf dogs in Jake and my agility classes...it is most certainly do-able...

[SABELLESMOM]

I'm pretty sure I would train very close to how I do things now, minus the clicker. I tend to let the dog figure things out and reward with high value treats. I might substitute a visual "YES! signal" hands together (like praying) instead of the click followed by the treat.

I would emphasise more than any other dog, to "look at me!" (after each agility piece, if you're doing agility) The vibrating collar, as long as it's not a punitive type vibration, could possibly be used to call the dog to you.

[Sargeant_C]

I knew a gal who used a flashlight and hand signal to train her dog who was deaf.

[Judi W]

I too would suggest that you stick with standard signals such as are used in utility. They are designed to be recognized from a distance and are quite clear as opposed to finger wagging and little hand thingies. The biggest difficulty is when the dog has its back turned and that is when a vibrating collar would come in handy. I would suggest considering having a BAR test run just to be sure of the hearing ability. I remember when Sue thought her dog was deaf - he wasn't!

[SABELLESMOM]

I just read an article from Your Dog Magazine (UK publication). Let me share the general recommendations:

1, Exaggerate your hand signals. You want them to be clear. Keep hands away from your body to help catch the dogs attention. (see? Judi was right!)

2. Keep a supply of treats in your pocket so when he comes to you he gets a reward.

3. Remote-control vibrating collar used to get your dogs attention. Make sure he understands other signals as well for times he's out of range.

4. A bell and / or flashing light for his collar if you alow him off lead. He may wander off. (a lot more off lead walkies thru fields, seems to go on in the UK) So add my own suggestion: Microchip & Tags! In case he gets lost: Name phone and address.

5. A keyring flasher that can be snapped on and off quickly to be used instead of a clicker! You dog will know he got it right!

The article included a deaf collie-cross (Womble!), who competed agility successfully at Crufts! Go WOMBLE! Way cool, don'cha think?