About Deaf Dogs
Dogs that cannot hear are quite often written off as too difficult to
train, unable to recall or be let off lead and generally unable to live
a ‘normal’ life. But a deaf dog only has one of the five senses
missing and can accommodate for this loss much better than you might imagine.
With their heightened sense of smell and eager eyes, a deaf dog can understand,
interact and learn just as well as their hearing companions. With a little
time and imagination from their owners, a deaf dog can learn all the behaviours
that a hearing dog can, including recall.
Deaf Dog Hand Signals
The key to a ‘normal’ relationship with your deaf dog is to
substitute the spoken word for some hand signals. Some people learn commands
from UK or USA sign language standards. Alternatively, you can make up
your own signs to suit you and your dog. Have some fun and be inventive
but bear in mind that all signs should be clear, easily distinguishable
from other signs and preferably even performed away from your body so
that your sign is clearly visible to your dog. For this reason, by all
means look up some official signs but do adapt them to your own needs,
or change them completely into something that you can easily remember.
We made up many signs for our deaf dog, Berkeley. Only a few of them are
large and away from the body such as the recall sign. Most are more discrete
as Berkeley is very observant and also rather frightened of large sweeping
hand movements. See how you get on and don’t be afraid to adapt
your signs to your own dog’s needs.
Using Sign Language with a Deaf Dog
Whatever signs you choose, be consistent. Make a note of the signs you
intend to use and maybe draw them out. Put them on the fridge door or
somewhere easy to view and stick to those signs.
Start to use your signs exactly as you would normally speak to a hearing
dog. Start with some everyday pleasant events such as a sign for ‘dinner
time’ and a sign for ‘walkies’. These are two activities
that most dogs love. So, for example, get your dog’s attention with
a gentle tap near the shoulder blades and sign for ‘dinner’
and then put the food bowl down or sign for ‘walkies’ and
immediately get the dog lead off it’s hook. You will be amazed at
how quickly your deaf dog will come to associate the sign with the event
that follows. Keep using your chosen sign and watch your dog’s reaction.
If they respond with excitement and prepare for walkies or dinner then
you have successfully communicated to your deaf dog. Congratulations.
You will be surprised how the rest of the signs will follow easily. Your
deaf dog soon learns that your hands and movements are telling them interesting
things.
Speak as you Sign
It is always a good idea, when signing, to also speak to your dog. If
you are signing something happy such as ‘walkies’, it helps
if you are smiling as you sign. As you sign ‘walkies’ also
say ‘walkies’ and this will show in your face. Dogs are experts
at reading body language, including facial expressions. The sign will
be learnt quicker and have more meaning to your dog. Of course, the same
goes for naughty signs such as ‘no’. Perform your sign for
‘no’ but also say ‘no’ at the same time, which
will help you to convey your meaning.
Training a Deaf Dog with Hand Signals
Now you are in the swing of using your hand signals consistently and for
everyday activities, you can begin some basic training. Remember, we are
training a dog, it just happens to be a deaf dog. The basic rule is to
train the same way you would train a hearing dog but add hand signals
to your verbal commands. It is important to remember this. All the usual
rules of good basic dog training apply*.
Training a deaf dog is not really that different to training a hearing
dog. At most it will involve a little more time and patience, but it is
possible and deafness is not ever an excuse for a poorly behaved, under
trained pooch. * Good Basic Dog Training:
Train your dog using whatever motivates them, be it a food treat or
a favourite toy. Keep training sessions short (5-10 mins per session)
and always end training sessions on a positive note such as an easy
trick that you know your dog can perform. Never shout or loose your
temper and never train if you or your dog is tired or getting bored.
Always use positive training methods as you will get much better results
and your pooch will thank you for it.
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