How Can You Housebreak a Deaf Dog?

Deaf dogs can easily learn anything other dogs can learn.

House training a dog that is "hearing challenged" does not have to be a challenge for you. Dogs are visual animals and can easily respond to hand gestures. In fact, many professional dog trainers add hand signals to voice commands. Trainers who enter their dogs in competitive obedience trials routinely use hand signals in their repertoires. Engaging your deaf dog in a house-training protocol that incorporates hand signals is the best way to successfully housebreak your dog. Whether yours is a puppy or a fully grown dog, the techniques are the same.

Things You'll Need

• Leash
• Dog treats
• Dog toy
• Chewing gum
• Dog crate

Instructions

1. Walk your dog every two hours and immediately after a meal. Take him to the same spot in the yard each time you take him out. Clap your hands happily to show you are excited about what he has just done. Your body language will tell your dog you are pleased.

2. Give your dog a treat as soon as he has done his business. Since your dog cannot hear you, it is important that you understand that his "currency" will be treats whereas a hearing dog would be happy with exuberant praise. When your dog eliminates in the spot where you have shown him is the right place to defecate or urinate, offer a treat or initiate play with a favorite toy. This is called "positive reinforcement." Most dog trainers agree that positive reinforcement is the most effective way to train a dog to do anything; housebreaking is no exception. Dogs have an innate desire to please. Show them how to do just that, and they will happily do so.

3. Assign a hand signal to the "act" such as twirling your index finger or pointing to the ground so your dog associates the hand signal with what he has done. This is important because once he has done what you requested, he will associate what he has just done with the hand signal. To understand this idea, think about how dogs who love to ride in cars will come running when you get out your keys, or dogs who eat canned food will make a beeline for the kitchen when they hear the sound of the can opener. They have learned to associate that sound with the act of riding in cars or eating. This comes in very handy on a rainy or extra-hot day when you want him to "get down to business."

4. Get your dog's attention by gently holding his muzzle in your right hand and tilting his head up so you can look into those deep brown eyes. Most trainers discourage people from looking a dog in the eye, but in the case of a deaf dog you need to be sure you have your dog's attention. Chewing gum and stretching it in and out of your mouth will peak his curiosity; it's a secret trick many dog handlers use to get and keep a dog's attention. He will think you have something in your mouth. But be careful not to distract him from the job at hand. If this happens, gently remind him why you are outside with your hand signal.

5. Confine your dog to a crate when you're not home to discourage him from defecating inside. Dogs have an instinct to keep their sleeping area free of waste. When you are not around to watch him closely, he should be in the crate because he won't defecate or urinate in the crate anymore than he would if he were in a den. The crate should be tall enough for him to stand completely upright and just long enough so that he can stretch out and lie down. The width should only be wide enough for him to turn around. The crate needs to be small enough so that the dog can't make a mess in one part of the crate and then move to another part of the crate to sleep. Teach him to go into the crate by tossing a favorite toy or dog biscuit into it. Once he goes in after the toy or biscuit, close the crate door and offer another treat. Clap your hands to show you are happy that he is in the crate.

   If you are working with a puppy, carry him outdoors from the crate to avoid an accident on the way out. Once you are outside, use your hand signal and give him positive reinforcement when he performs.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor your dog at all times during the training period. Beginning on day one and continuing until your dog is reliably trained to eliminate outside, watch very carefully. You must catch a dog "in the act" for training to work so that you can offer positive reinforcement. Tying his leash to your waist is a good way to keep him within your sight at all times.

• Do not punish a hearing-impaired puppy when he goes to the bathroom indoors out of your sight. Some puppies do not have full control of their bladder and bowels until they are 12 to 14 weeks old. Punishing a puppy after he has made a mess that you find later will only teach him to hide when he feels the urge. He won't associate the mess you find with the act he performed earlier. He will only know that the mess upsets you, encouraging him to hide to eliminate. If your hearing-impaired puppy makes a mistake on the floor when you're not around, you have missed a training opportunity.

• Never leave a dog in a crate longer than four hours at a time.