Dog Community

Training a deaf puppy

Posted : 8/6/2006 3:37:20 PM

We just got our newest addition, Pepper, last week. She is a beautiful little blue heeler, is very playful and sweet, and is always right behind me nipping at my heels (like the good little cow dog she is, right? lol). I was a bit sad a couple of days ago though when I finally accepted what my husband had been saying since the night we brought her home...she's deaf. She was out in the yard sleeping in a little bin that was turned on it's side. I snuck up behind her and clapped sharply 3 or 4 times right above her head...she never stirred.

Does anyone have any experience working with a deaf dog? I have already started working with her on a sign for "come here." When she starts walking toward me on her own I make the sign and pet and praise her like crazy when she gets to me. I also keep her tethered to my belt (which I usually do with any new pup anyway) with a long lead, and have explained to the kids that under no circumstances whatsoever should she EVER be let off leash outside.

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Posted : 8/6/2006 3:49:17 PM

I have no experience with a deaf dog but I had a co-worker who had one for 12 years and it lived a happy healthy life. He had a vibrating collar or would respond to the owner stomping on the floor. Here check out this site.......
[linkhttp://www.deafdogs.org/]http://www.deafdogs.org/[/link]

It pretty common from what i hear and once you get e routine down its no problem! Good luck and congrats on the newest addition to your family, you have a big heart!

cyclefiend2000

Posted : 8/6/2006 4:28:00 PM

one of our neighbors has a deaf JRT. they taught it most of the basic obedience commands using hand signals. the hardest part is getting her attention if she isnt facing them. i think they were investigating the vibration collar like sheprano suggested, but i dont think they have gotten one yet.

good luck with your puppy! [

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Xeph

Posted : 8/6/2006 4:47:51 PM

I also put in a motion for a vibration e-collar. Please note carefully that everybody is saying a vibrating e collar! Not one that shocks! Also, you can replace clicker training by marking behaviors with a light source, such as a mini flash light or click pointer (not a laser).

Pauline Sutherland

Posted : 8/6/2006 5:30:21 PM

My "Hearing" dog responds better to hand signals that verbal commands so don't have any worries about training.
I second the vibrating collar. I have also heard of using a flashlight as "clicker" in training. A visual cue rather than a autory one. So any resorce on clicker trainig will work just subitute your "visual" clicker. The principle is identical.
I have heard of the vibrating collar being used as both a "i want your attention" - look at me-and "out of sight come"--come and find me(say inside from one room to another)-- trigger.
Good luck and keep us posted.

michelle walter

Posted : 8/9/2006 3:54:36 PM

Friends of mine have a deaf white boxer and he is more obedient than any other dog I know

corvus

Posted : 8/17/2006 12:58:32 AM

ORIGINAL: Xeph
Also, you can replace clicker training by marking behaviors with a light source, such as a mini flash light or click pointer (not a laser).

Or a white card, maybe.

spiritdogs

Posted : 8/17/2006 6:47:49 AM

We often have deaf dogs in our classes. The key is to get their attention - once they can see you, it's easy to lure-reward, or "clicker train" (using a light or a visual signal). All dogs respond better to a visual signal, at first - after all, they don't have "language" as we understand it LOL. Yours will simply continue to rely on that.
The deafdogs.org site is great. Also, think about joining a deaf dog owners list, say at Yahoo. Sometimes, owners come up with some pretty ingenious things.
Just to be sure that she can't hear anything, though, get yourself an Acme Thunderer whistle. Some dogs are deaf, but hear certain sounds. Congenital deafness may not respond in this way, but it's worth trying. And, if she is a registered dog, have her BAER tested, and submit the results to your breeder.

Jeff Cornella

Posted : 8/19/2006 10:57:52 AM

Training a deaf dog is no big deal. It takes no more time than working with any other dog. I am a big fan of the vibrating collar. tht way you can gt your dogs attention no matter which way she's facing. I would join a +R training class that bases there program on hand signals (most do). Keep us posted.