Deaf dogs really do make wonderful pets. Take it from one who knows. Anything you may have heard to the contrary is cloaked with misunderstanding and bias. The only genuine limitation is that a deaf dog should not roam freely unless there is an enclosed, secured, safe area available for them to do so. A deaf dog cannot hear danger approaching, like a car. Otherwise, a deaf dog trains as easily as a dog that hears. The only difference is that one must use non-verbal signals rather than verbal commands.
Like any training, you must first get the attention of your student. Deaf dogs will not respond to you calling their name because they simply cannot hear you calling. However, they will react to other types of stimuli. Stomping your foot on the ground causes vibrations that they can feel. Waving a flashlight, or clicking it on and off, will usually garner attention, especially when the dog responds and the reward is a tasty treat. In addition, you can use a vibrating collar, which differs substantially from shock collars. These collars only vibrate and are not distressful to the animal.
When teaching basic commands to any dog, the use of hand signals is common practice. Therefore, training a deaf dog with the use of them is perfectly natural. As always when training, after getting the animal’s attention, a command (signal) is given to the animal to accomplish a specific act, after which a reward is provided. Some people create their own set of hand signs for particular words like sit, stay, down, walk, etc., while others learn a few basic words in American Sign Language.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that the signal must remain consistent, so the animal associates the word and the action. Lastly, never strike a deaf dog with your hands. Your hands are the way you communicate with the animal and should always be positive, reassuring tools.
A common myth is that deaf dogs are more aggressive. The reason behind the myth is that if you startle a deaf dog, it will bite. Any dog, whether deaf or not, when startled, may snap or snarl out of fear. Therefore, it is important to work with the dog, so the animal is comfortable having someone come from behind and touch it. A few times a day, wake your dog by very gently touching its shoulder or back, then reward it immediately with a treat.
Soon the dog will associate waking with something good. If you do not want to startle the dog, stomp your foot or bump the bed, they are sleeping on. Chances are the vibration will awaken them. Again, always provide a reward.
Deaf dogs have a tendency to bond strongly with their guardians. In the community of those who have deaf dogs, these animals are affectionately known as Velcro dogs since they are most comfortable when they are near their person. As with hearing dogs, some may develop separation anxiety. However, the training methods to condition them to be unafraid of being alone are the same as it is for any other dog. Always remember, deaf dogs can do agility, therapy, etc., almost anything a hearing dog can do. There is nothing wrong with them. They are simply dogs that cannot hear.
If you are thinking of adding a deaf canine companion to your life, a must-read is the international award-winning book Hogan’s Hope: A Deaf Hero’s Inspirational Quest for Love and Acceptance by Connie Bombaci. Tips and methods of living with our special pups are co-authored by Bombaci and Dr. Nicholas Dodman, internationally renowned animal behaviorist at Tufts University. Hogan was the deaf dog who broke open the doors for deaf dogs by appearing on television programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, Dateline NBC, and Good Morning America. The Deaf Dog Education Action Fund, (http://www.deafdogs.org/), and Deaf Dogs Rock (https://deafdogsrock.com/) websites are good locations to find additional helpful information and resources. In addition, the books, “A Deaf Dog Joins the Family: Training, Education, and Communication for a Smooth Transition,” by Terrie Hayward, “Living With a Deaf Dog,” by Susan Cope Becker and “Acorn’s DEAFinitely Awesome Dictionary of Signs,” by Mary L. Motley may also prove to be quite helpful.
As author Charlotte Schwartz wrote, “For perhaps if the truth were known, we’re all a little blind, a little deaf, a little handicapped, a little lonely, a little less than perfect. And if we can learn to appreciate a dog’s full potentials, we will, together, make it in this life on earth.” I couldn’t agree more. Why not give these special pets a chance?
