Any job, whether it is a small job like changing a light bulb, or a huge and important job like potty training a child, each and every job entails specific criteria: a thorough knowledge base of the task at hand, tools to accomplish the task, empathy for whom you are working with, and enough energy and encouragement to keep you both going even when you are both tired and discouraged.
For those who have adopted a puppy from Bella’s Baker’s Dozen, you were aware of any special needs prior to bringing your angel home. However, there are no guarantees for the future. Any dog can lose their hearing as time goes on as they age naturally. Just as their eye sight can also be compromised. Dogs are no different than humans. Just as one of our parents stated, “everyone becomes disabled at some point in their lives.” How true! So if we do not embrace the disability in another being, how can we expect a disability to be accepted in ourselves later on in life? Perhaps that is a good inclination as to how we would react to our future life situations. Unfortunately, some owners of dogs have not been so privileged to know in advance that their dog was hearing impaired. This can lead to owner frustration, abuse, the forfeiting of the dog to a shelter, and possible euthanasia for the dog. First-rate training is the key to the survival to any canine even if it is not disabled (blind or deaf).
So what should you do when you find out you have a deaf dog or that you will be adopting or purchasing a deaf dog? The most important thing you can do for yourself and your canine companion is to become knowledgeable about the disorder. Do some research! Most Americans have access to the internet somewhere so there truly is no excuse for ignorance. For the safety and happiness of both parties it is most important to become educated on how to live with and train your disabled companion.
I suggest using hand signals to train ALL dogs. Speak as you use your signal. Start with the positive signals first, for example, dinner, walk, good, etc. Always give positive reinforcement when the dog performs as you wish. After the command is learned, begin teaching another. However, you must constantly use the previously learned command building their vocabulary. It is similar to teaching new words to a child; you must add more to the vocabulary as they master them. Since it is never a given that a hearing dog may not someday go deaf, it is always useful to already have the hand signals in place to communicate. If you also have a dog that is vision impaired, touch signals are required but that is another article topic.
Perhaps the best tools you can invest in would be a book about raising / training a deaf dog and a hand signal chart. The next piece of advice would be to allot time to training. You must set aside time EACH DAY to reinforce the skill. It truly doesn’t take much time for these dogs to learn. I have found that the Dane is one of the smartest dogs I have ever encountered. But I also attribute some of the learning to the age. I believe that the young pup can learn commands in multiple languages (hand signals, English, as well as other languages) simultaneously just like a child. They are sponges just waiting to soak up anything that in their path.
Bringing a deaf dog into your home obviously takes extra energy on the part of the human companion. You will have to get up to get the attention of your dog (unless you are using a vibrating collar in that case you are simply paging / calling your dog;s attention with the push of button) to do the hand signal. Remember it may be frustrating for you as the human, but it is just as frustrating or maybe even more, for the canine companion who may be confused and is trying to understand*. Your canine companion will need breaks. So don’t push too hard or their frustration level will make them tune out and NO learning will take place. Be consistent. As the human companion – or human in charge - there are no breaks on your part. You never get to turn off – until the pup knows and obeys all commands it is like having a toddler. Even when they know all commands, you still cannot relax; you must always be on-guard to watch out for your hearing impaired companion.
Ask questions of the others who have been successful. Please share what has worked for you. See the resources below.
“How to Train your Deaf Dane.” Danes Down Under. http://danesdownunder.com/?page_id=2833
Deaf Dog Education Action Fund. http://www.deafdogs.org/
“Training”: http://www.deafdogs.org/training/ - Hand signals, crate & house, clicker, and vibrating collars.
“Books about Deaf Dogs”: http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/books/bdeaf.php
“Websites”: http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/websites.php
“Activities to do with Deaf Dogs” (competitions, races) : http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/activities.php
“About Vibrating Collars”: http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/vibramakers.php
“Hand Signals Chart.” D for Dog. http://www.dfordog.com/deafdogs_signals.htm
* If you want to experiment and see what it is like to be your deaf dog, get a pair of gun range ear plugs which insert into the ear, they are virtually soundproof. Then have someone try to teach you something new IN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE. Only then will you understand how frustrating it can be to be your deaf dog. Give your intelligent and patient dog the credit and praise they are due.
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