The Dog Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [29]
Talking to Deaf Dogs
Q When my Dalmatian died at age 14, I contacted a Dalmatian rescue group. I wanted to adopt an adult dog rather than raise a puppy again. I fell in love with two-year-old Gus, who is deaf. How can I teach him to listen to me when he can’t hear my words? He wants to please but sometimes gets so distracted during walks that he doesn’t pay attention to me. He is focused on a squirrel scurrying up a tree or hunting for cats hiding under cars. How can I communicate with him effectively?
A I applaud you for adopting Gus. No dog is perfect, even those with keen hearing. In the past, far too many good dogs were euthanized simply because they were deaf, whether due to a genetic disorder or injury. Dalmatians, Samoyeds, West Highland terriers, and white German shepherds are other breeds that show an increased risk for bilateral deafness, which is hearing loss that affects both ears.
When it comes to training deaf dogs, first realize that no dog speaks English and that most dogs get distracted by squirrels and cats! Dogs “talk” to each other primarily with nonverbal body language cues. Any noise they make, be it barking, yipping, whining, or growling, is secondary to their unspoken communication through sniffing, facial expression, and posturing. Second, recognize that just like hearing dogs, deaf dogs learn through consistency and patience. Instead of given spoken cues to Gus, you need to use sign language. Believe it or not, many people with deaf dogs have learned American Sign Language (ASL) in order to “speak” to their dogs. The added bonus is that you can now communicate with people with hearing loss as well.
You can also create your own hand signals to communicate with Gus. You need to choose gestures that are distinctly individualized to avoid confusion. You don’t want your hand signal for sit to be too similar to your gesture for come. You need Gus’s full attention to teach him any command. I recommend that you conduct your training sessions in a place with few distractions, such as your living room, and at an optimum time, like right before mealtime when he is hungry. Catch his eye by thumping on the floor or waving your hand. One of the first commands you need to teach Gus is the watch me signal. While standing in front of Gus, take a small treat, bring it to his nose, then move the treat up to your eye. When Gus follows the movement of the treat, clap or give a thumbs-up approval sign and then hand him the treat. When Gus responds to watch me consistently, you are ready to introduce other signs.
ASL SIGNS FOR COMMANDS
To learn more about training deaf dogs and to get specific step-by-step instructions on hand signals, visit the Deaf Dog Education Action Fund’s Web site at www.deafdogs.org.
When Gus masters a sign, give him a treat and use a consistent success signal like a thumbs-up or clap. Smile. Gus is looking for visual signals. Use treats and progress slowly. Build on each success and practice patience. Even deaf dogs are capable of learning dozens of signs and recognizing the difference in your request for a ball or the leash. In my dog agility class, it was weeks before I realized that one of my classmates had a deaf Sheltie named Alva. I just thought that Dale was a quiet, soft-spoken person! But Alva heeds Dale’s hand signals and weaves through poles and dashes through tunnels with unspoken delight.
One word of caution with deaf dogs. Please keep Gus on a leash whenever you are walking or traveling and limit his off-leash play to areas that are safely fenced in. As an added safety measure, indicate on his tag that he is deaf and provide your name and contact information. A microchip is another good way to help you find Gus if he ever becomes lost.
DOGGY HAND SIGNALS
Many handlers who compete in obedience and field trials teach their dogs to respond to hand signals instead of voice cues. While any signal that makes sense to you is acceptable, here are some that are commonly used. All of