http://www.care2.com/greenliving/loving-deaf-dogs.html
Loving Deaf Dogs
Thousands of deaf dogs are needlessly euthanized each year simply because they can’t hear, and a dog that can’t hear can be a tough sale at a shelter. Most people in the market to adopt a dog don’t realize that deaf dogs are completely trainable, and many people believe the host of myths that surround deaf dogs.
Contrary to urban legend, deaf dogs aren’t more easily startled and aggressive, they can socialize easily with children, they aren’t more likely to be hit by cars, they don’t need a “hearing dog,” and they’re not difficult to train.
A deaf dog does not mean an unsocial one. Believe it or not, dogs “talk” to each other primarily through body language–sniffing, facial expression, and posturing. Training methods for teaching a deaf dog are different than those for dogs that can hear, but much of the process is the same. Here are some tips courtesy of the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund:
1. Purchase an American Sign Language pocketbook. It will open up a world of words for you and your dog. Your deaf dog is going to surprise you. All that’s happening is that she is learning signs (and facial expressions) instead of words. The first word signs you should concentrate on are sit, down, stay, come, no and stop.
2. 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)”.
3. 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.
4. 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. If your dog is outside at night and you want to call him in, turn your porch light off and on.
For the complete list of tips visit the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund.
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11 comments
add your comment »I am the now proud owner of two 11 month old Blind and Deaf Great Dane brothers. I am desperately seeking some training information as all I can find caters to one or the other handicap but does not seem to address a dog with both handicaps. One of the dogs has extreme separation anxiety as well and is destroying my house and am in great fear that he will seriously hurt himself one of these times. Please any advice, information ect would be greatly appreciated. I would really like to save these boys.
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I have to compliment you on a well-done article. I'm Mom to two deaf Dalmatians, both born that way, both adopted with that knowledge, and they're now 11 and 12 years old. I would never have another type of dog other than a deafie. They are the best, the most attentive, and just wonderful kids, and I've had dogs all my life. Another resource to check out, other than DDEAF, is D2Care (www.d2care.org). I'm the Treasurer of this not-for-profit organization and can highly recommend the site for training information and tips, ideas, and resources. There are also several Yahoo groups dedicated to deaf dogs in general, and specific breeds, as well as deaf and blind dogs. Check them out for some great ideas and information.
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I know all about this as my one pug is blind and deaf i adopted him from a rescue which i'm involved with as i have three so far.Being blind doesn't stop him as he still tries to do alot of things,i'm always there for him as mom's always home with them.It's things you just learn to do and to set a pattern wth them and keep it the same as well as your home.
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We have various handicaps in our family. My sister is deaf with a hearing dog, my smallest Boston is blind and has been trained with voice cues and my large Boston has lost most of his hearing, but ironically I found he already knew a lot of sign language...hmm... wonder how he learned that? :)
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Wonderful article and very true. I read on the blog of the Rolling Dog Ranch -based in Montana- the wise comment that a dog is to be trusted around children (and with all sorts of situations) based on his character, and not on his handicap.
Our elderly Schipperke dog is deaf to, and slowly losing his sight, but he isn't fazed by anything! Other people may think I am the idiot for waving like mad when he has misplaced me but it always works and he comes speeding back at me with a huge happy grin on his face! For elderly dogs, wearing something bright might also help.
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We had a pug who went deaf as he got older - around 13 yrs. of age. He didn't seem that limited in what he could or couldn't do. Our other pug became his "ears" in such ways as alerting him to feeding times and treats and any other interesting goings-on. Dogs can compensate for what they lack. My precious pugs lived to the ages of 15 (the deaf one) and 14.
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I rescued a mother dog and her six puppies out of a drain pipe. Lalie, the smallest pup is mentally retarded. believe me, it was force feeding from the start. She gained weight and believe me, she does not stand back for anyone. I dont mind this extra care because she is the cutest little angel.
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My late canine companion was deaf, blind and a senior when I rescued him from the middle of the road, unable to stand up after a car had hit him.
We spent together the most beautiful, intense and blissful years till his passage to Heaven. All this, in the company of my already adopted deaf kitty and my two rescued hearing kitties.
Senior, deaf and blind as he was, my companion turned out to be a rescue angel himself. He made friends with our two hearing kitties --during their feral and abused times-- when they would come to our garden to lie side by side with him. Both kitties then decided to stay with all of us for ever at home. Among the deaf, the blind and the hearing, a great harmony developed.
The maimed, the deaf, the blind and the unwanted among pet companions deserve all our love and true commitment.
Beautiful post, Melissa. Through education and information, many a kind heart will open up towards disabled pet companions.
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We rescued a deaf American Bulldog, several years ago. She was abused and thought to be dumb. Today, she knows several hand signals and is very much an active part of our family. While we do have a hearing dog, she is very much her own dog. She loves children and has never shown signs of aggression. She has so much love and personality. Most people wouldn't guess she is deaf. We couldn't be happier to have her in our lives.
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I'v had much success training my dogs with hand signals. All ones that i made up myself (and one from significant other.) Some of them came from adapting to what the dog reacted to. They meet us on so many levels of communication, why not meet them on theirs too? Granted, my dogs have hearing, but dogs are VISUAL learners more than audio learners. Humans are the vocal ones.
A good book about dog behavior (or rather, should i say about human behavior) is The Other End of the Leash by Patricia B. McConnell
Teaching your hearing dogs with sign language is important too because if you have a dog that looses hearing as it gets older you'll still be able to communicate with it.
Life with a blind dog can be very rewarding too! Same goes for three-leggers (and less.)
Disabled dogs are far less handicapped that their disabled human counterparts. Dogs generally have a 'Can Do!' attitude towards life.
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