How to Train a Hearing Impaired or Deaf Dog

It is important to teach any dog how to behave and to follow simple commands. However, it is even more important when your dog is hearing impaired or deaf. Sharing your living space and life is more enjoyable when you and your dog understand each other. When a pet cannot hear life can be confusing. Confusion often leads to bad behaviors, so begin working diligently as soon as possible to teach your hearing impaired pet. Finding ways to communicate with your dog will not difficult if you use some advanced obedience hand commands. How do you train a hearing impaired or deaf dog?

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Patience Leash Electronic Collar

1. 
   Keep your pet on a leash

   Keep your dog on a leash during training sessions, whenever he is not inside the house, or in a securely fenced area. You may need a leash that extends to twenty feet for some training, such as teaching your pet to come to you. This is also for your pet's safety. You will not be able to call your dog back from dangers such as the road, because your dog cannot hear.

2. 
   Use hands on to show your dog what to do

   Use a hands-on approach to teaching your dog to “Sit,” “Lie Down,” and “Come” followed by the hand signs for the commands until your dog understands what the hand signs mean. For example, make the sign for “Sit” with your right hand where your dog can see it clearly, and then push on your dog’s rear until she sits down. To show your dog the hand sign for “Sit” for an obedience trial do this. Hang your right hand straight down at your side, near your leg, fingers extended down. Roll your hand at the wrist in a semi-circular clockwise motion ending with your palm facing the ceiling, wrist still near your leg. Then push on your dog’s rear and lift slightly on her collar until she sits. Repeat this for several minutes each day until she understands.

3. 
   Praise your dog often

   Give your dog lots of praise each time he does what you are asking during each training session, such as “Sit,” “Lie Down,” or “Come” even though you assisted him in doing it. You may also want to offer an occasional treat.

4. Show your dog the hand sign for “Lie Down” for an obedience trial. Hang your right hand straight down at your side, near your leg, fingers extended down. Roll your hand at the wrist in a circular counter-clockwise motion ending with your palm facing the floor, wrist still near your leg. Make sure you sign “Lie Down” where your dog can clearly see you. Then, pull down slightly on your dog’s collar and pat the floor until she lies down. Repeat this for several minutes each day until she understands.

5. Show your dog the hand sign for “Come” for an obedience trial. Place your dog in a “Sit” position. Face your dog and take one-step backwards. Hang your right hand straight down at your side, near your leg, fingers extended down. Turn your palm at the wrist towards your dog. Bend your fingers up twice; keeping them bent the second time. Then, pull slightly on your dog’s leash so that he comes towards you. Give lots of praise and get excited. Repeat this for several minutes each day, moving backwards an additional foot, as he seems to understand. When your dog understands “Come,” try to get him to "Sit" in front of you, facing you after he "Comes."

6. Stomp as hard as you can on your floor in the house to see if your dog can feel the vibration. When your dog looks at you, give the sign for “Come.” When your dog comes to you, give her praise and an occasional treat. This will be a way that you can "Call" your dog while in the house if she can feel the vibration and respond to it.

7. Fit your hearing impaired dog with an electronic collar that will emit a pulse when you push a button. Initially, train your dog on a long leash, such as the 20-foot leash suggested. Push the button, give a quick tug on the leash, when the dog "Comes" to you give praise and get excited. Repeat this exercise on a leash until your dog will come to you without pulling on the leash whenever you push the button. This will help protect your dog. You will be able to “Call” your dog using this collar whenever he is out of sight or heading for the road.

Tips & Warnings

• Training may take a little longer because of your pets special needs but he will learn just be patient.
• Don't allow your hearing impaired or deaf pet to run loose unless you have a securely fenced area or your pet is trained for invisible fence. Your pet could be hit by a vehicle and killed.

Resources

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• How to Shed Your Shetland Pony Using the Furminator
• How to Know When You Can Start Collecting Milk From a Cow
• How to Saddle Train a Horse
• Foster care and adoption advice
• Parenting tips for busy parents

[painthorse42]

on 10/5/2008 Wonderful Article!! 5*

[Cherst1031]

on 9/18/2008 Very well explained important information about training a deaf dog, thanks!