Deaf Dogs
www.deafdogs.org
Due to repeated requests from visitors on our site, I have done more research into finding help for owners of deaf dogs and have come across this wonderful site which really does give you all you need to know. Below are some of the aspects that are covered and anybody that does have a deaf dog will really be able to further their knowledge and help their dogs further by having a look. They also have a very informative book that is available via the website which will give you additional information.
We would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to the Deaf Dog team for allowing us to share this information with all of us here in South Africa. Thank You!
Here are some of the topics covered:-
Training for Deaf Dogs - just click on the links to take you to the various sections
Do You Need A Trainer?
What to Use for Hand Signs
Training With Food
Teaching A "Good Dog" Sign
Teaching "Watch Me"
Teaching "No"
Teaching a "Release" Word
Teaching your dog to be Gentle
Teaching "Sit"
Teaching "Down"
Teaching "Stand"
Teaching "Stay"
Teaching "Leave It"
Teaching "Come" & "C'mere"
Teaching "Go" and "Move"
Teaching to "Walk Nice"
Going Further (Tricks, Vocabulary)
Special Considerations For Owners of Deaf Dogs
Learning A New Language
To Leash, Or Not To Leash
Desensitization Exercises to Reduce Startling
Getting The Deaf Dog's Attention When He's Not Looking At You
Keeping The Deaf Dog Informed Of Your Whereabouts
Not For The Lazy
Introduction
These training tips are taken, with permission, from Susan Cope Becker's book Living With A Deaf Dog which is a must for new deaf dog owners. You can order a copy of the book through the link on our website.
We bought our Boston Terrier in December of 1995. She had our hearts immediately....and when we discovered she was deaf, there was no way we could destroy her. I searched and searched for a book on training deaf dogs, and when I didn't find one, I turned to the Internet and also found a local trainer who was willing to work with us. The results have been tremendous! Spanky is a regular dog who knows almost twenty signs. She lives a pretty normal life except for always being on a leash.
· Training a deaf dog requires a major commitment and lots of patience. I can't stress the importance of an American Sign Language pocketbook. It will open up a world of words for you and your dog. Spanky's vocabulary increased as ours did. Your deaf dog is going to surprise you. All that's happening is that she is learning signs (and facial expressions) instead of words. I will also add that the first word signs you should concentrate on are sit, down, stay, come, no and stop. When you dog understands these words, begin adding a new one occasionally...car, walk, etc. The first six are enough to begin with.
· Keep your dog on a leash when walking. The leash, and a fenced yard or stake and lead are necessities with the deaf dog. Buy a dog tag stating, "(dog's name) is deaf. Please hold and call (your name/phone)". Put a bell on your dog. Hunting dog bells are good, but if you think too bulky, use one of those loud Christmas bells women wear as necklaces during the holidays. This allows you to hear your dog when he is on the move. Good luck when he falls asleep somewhere out of the way and you can't find him.
· To get your dog's attention, thump on the floor with your fist or foot or wave. Some people use a flashlight or a laser light (Radio Shack). If your dog is outside at night and you want to call him in, turn your porch light off and on.
· Find a trainer that will take you in a basic obedience class. Use standard obedience signs and American Sign Language (a pocket-sized book version is inexpensive and invaluable). As you speak the commands (your dog will also watch your face and you will have more expression if you are speaking). This should get you to sit, lay, stay, and come. Give the sign and put your dog in the position you want him to be. Reward with food. Repeat. Training sessions should last about 15 minutes. Train a deaf dog just like a hearing dog (except for signing instead of speaking).
· From there you will be able to train and teach him as many signs as you want. Some deaf dogs that are 5 or 6 years old know up to 50 signs! Spanky knows the difference between toy and ball. Car and walk are her favorite signs. She knows almost 20 signs at one-year-old...so stay with it. They learn so fast.
· IMPORTANT! When waking him, do it by always touching him GENTLY in the same place. Shoulder is the best. Or put your hand in front of his nose and let your smell wake him. Give him a treat and/or lots of love every time you wake him. Startling the deaf dog out of sleep is usually the touchiest area. The treat will make waking up less traumatic and he will take eager instead of angry. Tell visitors not to touch your dog if he is sleeping, especially children.
· Food rewards are the best way we can reward the deaf puppy since they cannot hear the tone of our voice. (You can taper off the food rewards, as your dog grows older and reward with lots of loving and enthusiasm. The sign for good job is clapping your hands. Some people use a thumbs up.) Carrots (!) are healthy treats, begging strips, dog jerky...
· The easiest seen by the dog and the easiest to learn for you for the word "good" is to clap your hands. In ASL, this means good job, success. Smile when you do it. Do it often.
· Leash and fence are a must.
· There are so many training tips to share, but these are probably the most basic. For specific training answers, post specific questions on the Deaf Dogs list. You'll receive more replies than you'll know what to do with! Good Luck. Be patient and loving. Your dog will do the rest.
We would like to say a special ‘thank you’ to the Deaf Dog team for allowing us to share this information with all of us here in South Africa. Thank You!
Here are some of the topics covered:-
Training for Deaf Dogs - just click on the links to take you to the various sections
Do You Need A Trainer?
What to Use for Hand Signs
Training With Food
Teaching A "Good Dog" Sign
Teaching "Watch Me"
Teaching "No"
Teaching a "Release" Word
Teaching your dog to be Gentle
Teaching "Sit"
Teaching "Down"
Teaching "Stand"
Teaching "Stay"
Teaching "Leave It"
Teaching "Come" & "C'mere"
Teaching "Go" and "Move"
Teaching to "Walk Nice"
Going Further (Tricks, Vocabulary)
Special Considerations For Owners of Deaf Dogs
Learning A New Language
To Leash, Or Not To Leash
Desensitization Exercises to Reduce Startling
Getting The Deaf Dog's Attention When He's Not Looking At You
Keeping The Deaf Dog Informed Of Your Whereabouts
Not For The Lazy
Introduction
These training tips are taken, with permission, from Susan Cope Becker's book Living With A Deaf Dog which is a must for new deaf dog owners. You can order a copy of the book through the link on our website.
We bought our Boston Terrier in December of 1995. She had our hearts immediately....and when we discovered she was deaf, there was no way we could destroy her. I searched and searched for a book on training deaf dogs, and when I didn't find one, I turned to the Internet and also found a local trainer who was willing to work with us. The results have been tremendous! Spanky is a regular dog who knows almost twenty signs. She lives a pretty normal life except for always being on a leash.
· Training a deaf dog requires a major commitment and lots of patience. I can't stress the importance of an American Sign Language pocketbook. It will open up a world of words for you and your dog. Spanky's vocabulary increased as ours did. Your deaf dog is going to surprise you. All that's happening is that she is learning signs (and facial expressions) instead of words. I will also add that the first word signs you should concentrate on are sit, down, stay, come, no and stop. When you dog understands these words, begin adding a new one occasionally...car, walk, etc. The first six are enough to begin with.
· Keep your dog on a leash when walking. The leash, and a fenced yard or stake and lead are necessities with the deaf dog. Buy a dog tag stating, "(dog's name) is deaf. Please hold and call (your name/phone)". Put a bell on your dog. Hunting dog bells are good, but if you think too bulky, use one of those loud Christmas bells women wear as necklaces during the holidays. This allows you to hear your dog when he is on the move. Good luck when he falls asleep somewhere out of the way and you can't find him.
· To get your dog's attention, thump on the floor with your fist or foot or wave. Some people use a flashlight or a laser light (Radio Shack). If your dog is outside at night and you want to call him in, turn your porch light off and on.
· Find a trainer that will take you in a basic obedience class. Use standard obedience signs and American Sign Language (a pocket-sized book version is inexpensive and invaluable). As you speak the commands (your dog will also watch your face and you will have more expression if you are speaking). This should get you to sit, lay, stay, and come. Give the sign and put your dog in the position you want him to be. Reward with food. Repeat. Training sessions should last about 15 minutes. Train a deaf dog just like a hearing dog (except for signing instead of speaking).
· From there you will be able to train and teach him as many signs as you want. Some deaf dogs that are 5 or 6 years old know up to 50 signs! Spanky knows the difference between toy and ball. Car and walk are her favorite signs. She knows almost 20 signs at one-year-old...so stay with it. They learn so fast.
· IMPORTANT! When waking him, do it by always touching him GENTLY in the same place. Shoulder is the best. Or put your hand in front of his nose and let your smell wake him. Give him a treat and/or lots of love every time you wake him. Startling the deaf dog out of sleep is usually the touchiest area. The treat will make waking up less traumatic and he will take eager instead of angry. Tell visitors not to touch your dog if he is sleeping, especially children.
· Food rewards are the best way we can reward the deaf puppy since they cannot hear the tone of our voice. (You can taper off the food rewards, as your dog grows older and reward with lots of loving and enthusiasm. The sign for good job is clapping your hands. Some people use a thumbs up.) Carrots (!) are healthy treats, begging strips, dog jerky...
· The easiest seen by the dog and the easiest to learn for you for the word "good" is to clap your hands. In ASL, this means good job, success. Smile when you do it. Do it often.
· Leash and fence are a must.
· There are so many training tips to share, but these are probably the most basic. For specific training answers, post specific questions on the Deaf Dogs list. You'll receive more replies than you'll know what to do with! Good Luck. Be patient and loving. Your dog will do the rest.
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