Training deaf dogs

[RaeHughes]

Hi - I train Canine Good Citizen (sort of domestic obedience with an exam) at our local dog club.

Most dogs I train are labs, BCs, mixes, mastiffs etc - young, old and in between. But I have never trained a deaf dog.

A lot of my training focuses on the handlers getting the dogs attention using a vocal command and then working with that. (A bit Patricia McConnell and a bit others.) Some clicker training included.

On her first night in class, her one-on-one trainer will be there to assess whether or not the dog will be able to cope - good.

Any guidelines? Suggestions?

[Bicoastal]

I know someone who clicker trains using a flashlight. I tried and couldn’t figure it out.

Hand signals, of course.

There are some decent online sources.

I think deafness is irrelevant in whether or not the dog can cope in your CGC class. You know what is a HUGE bonus? Deaf dog can’t hear rude dog barking at it! (He can see the behavior, though.) Another benefit is such dogs often are more attuned to looking at their owners than hearing dogs.

[oliverreed]

Not totally helpful but - my grandmother had a deaf pug, deaf from birth. Dog learned hand signals quite well, you had to stomp on the floor to get her attention.

[Coyoteco]

Oh, I don’t see a problem with her coping. Several years ago, I got a genetically deaf (dominant white) Aussie. I didn’t do the CGC as I don’t even know if it existed back then. I did take her to puppy classes and teach her some stuff. She was the best puppy there. The trainer had never met a deaf dog and was really just amazed by her. I’d just get her attention and give her instructions by hand.
A friend now has a deaf Australian Cattle Dog and he copes just like my Aussie.
Both of these dogs also had/have reduced vision.
My plan for off leash training had been to investigate a remote collar that could be set for a weak vibration. I never did that.
The only difference from a hearing dog was that my aussie slept very soundly and if she was outside sleeping my lab mix would wake her if we went outside so she wasn’t left out.

I hardly even think deafness is a handicap at all.

[My_Two_Cents]

Years ago we had a deaf dog. Our daughter took her to dog obedience and then to the county fair. The dog was very tuned in to body language and hand signals. The instructor put a note to the judge explaining that this dog was deaf and to please be lenient on the recall. So DD jiggled the leash to get the dogs attention at the time of recall and then hand signaled the dog to come. The judge judged her harshly because she didn’t verbally “call” the dog. DD was 8 at the time and was just spitting nails coming out of the ring. Who seriously expects a deaf dog to hear you call them. lol. She was champion in the agility class that year. Further note: She was a really good dog. She’s been gone for a really long time but we still miss her. Deaf dogs are really not handicapped, they keep track of you.

[IdahoRider]

You know, it might look like dogs are paying attention to every little word and command. But I think they are actually picking up on our body language and then linking it with the commands we give. Body language is easy for dogs. That is what makes training a deaf dog so easy.

I have used a pen light and a laser pointer to get their eyes on me. Once you have the eyes, everything else is easy.
Sheilah

[2tempe]

I have a friend who has FIVE deaf boxers. All are certified Therapy Dogs. She uses American Sign Language for them, in part because she wants the deaf children they visit to understand now the dogs work and what command she gives the dog. They are all awesome.
But yes, trick is to get attention; I like the stomp idea, and i’m guessing you need a couple signals to “look at me” depending on where they are.

[RaeHughes]

Thanks for those good tails! Since reading Patricial McConnell, I have become very aware of my body language so I am going to presume this dog will help me “speak” better canine.

(My BCs, I am sure, look on me as being handicapped and rather stupid :))

[shayaalliard]

i have also seen remote training collars that have a “vibrate” button used to get deaf dog’s attention- works very well

[In1]

If she has an established one-on-one, chances are she already has some type of attention-getting cue.

As you well know - but for the sake of this thread - Ecollars/shock collars/training collars cannot be used during CGC testing. “For collars, dogs should wear well-fitting buckle or slip collars made of leather, fabric, or chain. Special training collars such as pinch collars, head halters, and electronic collars are not permitted in the CGC test.”

Aside from CGC - one of the local trainers has had excellent success with retraining rescues’ deaf dogs with E-collars. He has managed to make the dogs fairly off-leash reliable by connecting a specific series (i.e. two shorts, one long, one short one long) for a sit/drop/recall

[RaeHughes]

HI - Just to note that, here in NZ, there are four levels of CGC. YOu are correct that e-collars are not permitted unless you have a very very good reason and get NZKC approval first. We are not even going down that route.

We start at Foundation and then proceed through Bronze, Silver and Gold. Gold level is very hard to obtain! Ask me how I know that - a higher level of obedience required, IMO, than a top obedience test.

I teach Foundation and Bronze - and this deaf dog will be coming in at teh Foundation level. Although the exercises are similar, this level of test has more forgiveness for little mistakes and is done in a very controlled environment.