how do you train a deaf dog?

Question

I guess Im in a weird situation...
a little over a week ago I rescued a stray dog that walked up to my store (off of a major highway in our town).
shes a 22 pound blue heeler and oh so precious! I took her to the vet and she ended up having hook worms but I got medication to rid them.

the problem is, the poor pup is deaf.. she doesnt hear a thing and I mentioned it to the vet (just to make sure) and he agreed with me.

the vet also said shes no older than a year, and i havent had her that long so as far as i know she was never trained for anything. but my question is, how do you train a deaf dog?

at first when i found out, it killed me to know the poor thing was deaf. i felt pity for her, but now i think its making me love her even more because shes special, im sure you guys know what i mean :)

any pointers, or anyone else have a deaf dog?

thanks guys!

Answer 1

What a caring and generous soul you are!

I have never had experience with deaf dogs but I could give you some pointers that work with any dog.

1) Use repetition, it may take a deaf dog longer to get used to things but if you are repetative they will too pick up on things.

2) Stomp to get the attention. Deaf dogs are very sensitive to vibrations and they use them to identify things, if you want to get the dogs attention and they are somewhat nearby then stomping might work.

3) The use of food works well with training regardless of if you are using verbal commands or not. Once you have the dogs attention with the use of food you can use your hands or body movements to give commands.

I have taught my dog to bark when i open and close my hand like a duck bill and I don't have to say anything. Like this you can train the dog.
For example put your hand straight up as to say stop (obviously when you have the dogs attention) and then push her butt down so she sits. Then give a treat. Repeat this until she understands that the symbol means sit then she gets rewarded. It may take days working for a few minutes every few hours or so.

Good luck! The world needs more people like you.

Answer 2

You are an angel for this dog. It makes me proud of you that you have excepted this challenge. Now it may take some work but you must treat the dog like a deaf person use hand signals and vibration. If you can do this and the dog can respond you could take the dog to schools and show the kids about disabilities. My grandson is hearing impaired so I know sign language. You might make up your own signs for the dog or go the the book store and find a signing book.. Just keep the signs simple.

Answer 3

Hi, I understand that you are looking for some advice or resources to help fully train your dog or fix behavior problems. If a professional dog trainer is not an option at this time, or if you want to trt training your dog on your own (a great way to bond), I'd suggest you https://bitly.im/aL3zZ

A friend recommened it to me a few years ago, and I was amazed how quickly it worked, which is why I recommend it to others. The dog training academy also has as an excellent home training course.

Answer 4

Like has already been said - hand signals. I just put one of my dogs through obedience school and the trainer taught us to use hand signals first anyways. It is human instanct to talk to our dogs and we belive they understand us. They can learn to, but starting off they have no idea what "sit" and "stay" mean. However, they do respond very well to hand signals. I would have a hard time "showing" you the signals through words, but maybe you should look into a trainer. We paid $99 for a 8 week course (we went once a week and it was up to the owners to practice and "train" at home.) It would be well worth the money.

Answer 5

I have a deaf bull terrier. I remember you talking about rescuing your Heeler. I was trying to get back to you when you mentioned she was deaf.

First of all this is common for Heelers. What you are going to have to do is teach her sign language. You can make up signs for "sit", "down", "crate" etc. All my dogs seem to know the signs now.

http://www.deafdogs.org

Deaf Dogs are great! Thunderstorms don't bother them. You can change their names everyday. They do bark though. Heelers are a VERY bright dog and she will catch on quickly. People don't realize that dogs rely on facial expressions and body language a lot more than sound. If I can help you, email me privately.

Answer 6

Wow! You certainly do have a challenge. And she does sound like a lovely dog.

I've never actually tried this with a deaf dog. But I have taught a few dogs to respond to hand signals for certain tricks. And working dogs would be trained even more. So you would definitely want to do that.

Answer 7

i do no longer comprehend something approximately deaf preparation, yet there's a woman at our interior reach dogs park that has 2 deaf dogs. She does use hand indicators yet whilst the dogs are working loose and he or she needs to get their interest for the sign she makes use of a sort of crimson laser information that could desire to get their interest...i presumed it advance into surprisingly smart. proper of success

Answer 8

Hi There you sign to them, and help them do what you want them to due.she will catch on ,and if she is as young as you say ,you shouldn`t have any troubles with her.. Well besides being a puppy ..I have taught mine he can hear but not as well as the other dogs here at our house,still speak the commands as well as a hand signals Good luck let me know,

Answer 9

Dogs pick up hand signals very easily.

I train my with a hand and verbal signal for everything, he usually picks up the hand signal sooner.

Answer 10

use hand signals, your going to have to do research and work hard. you should use hand signals that are very differant from each other. blue heeler's are smart, she should do just fine