My puppy is deaf, and I was wondering if there was another way to try to communicate with her other than talking. So far she knows when to come here and we’re thinking about getting her a shock collar so it will be easier to get her attention. It’s going to be hard to teach her how to sit and such if she can’t hear. So is it possible to teach her sign language, and are there obedience classes for deaf dogs?
I was thinking of a vibrating collar. I just said shock collar.
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Yes you can
Tons of deaf dogs have learned this and you should research some obedience classes.
YOU get a ***shock collar***
and I will consider you one of the vilest creatures on earth, it will do nothing but cause pain and agony and the dog will not even know whats harming her, she will fear for her life. ONLY and @zz hole would get a torture instrument like a shock collar.
yes, there are products for teaching dags sign language. ☺
Don’t get a shock collar. Get a trainer who has experience with deaf dogs. THey are every bit as capable of learning WITHOUT shock collars as any other dog is. It just takes more effort on the humans part.
it can be a challange but it can be done. taking your pup to normal classes can help even though you will have to be a little different.
try to rule out the shock collar and get a vibrating collar instead once the dog lifts his head and looks at you give him lots of fuss. then use the vibrating collar as a way of getting his attention for the signal you want him to obey
Dogs are very visual. It will not be hard to teach signs instead of commands. It is actually very common for dogs to learn non-verbal cues over verbal ones. As humans, we tend to make gestures we aren’t aware of when we speak and dogs often pick up on that.
Remember, dogs rely heavily on body language to communicate.
My Lab responds better to hand signals then he does to the command. Our working K9 is taught to obey hand signals or verbal commands for tactical purposes.
An e-collar would be a good idea. Many have a vibrate setting that you could use, but even a lower level stim would work.
Check out this site
http://www.loucastle.com/articles.htm
In the fitting the e-collar article he describes how to find the working level on the e-collar, that is, the very first level the dog feels it, which is not painful
You could also email him. He will respond. He may have suggestions on dealing with a deaf dog and e-collar.
Edit- no TDs are from me, but e-collars are not painful if used properly. And every e-collar trainer suggests trying it on yourself first.
Please read the articles on the link I provided. They address myths and explain how to PROPERLY use the collar.
Many professional, experienced responsible trainers use e-collars. Police, Military and Search and Rescue included.
I have no idea how using the vibration setting on an e-collar to get the dog’s attention when not facing you is a bad thing.
A shock collar…………..are you seriously suggesting you are going to shock your dog because she is deaf? So you want to make her very anxious ………..this question has got to be a wind up, no one in their right mind would do this.
Yes it is ‘poosible’ to teach a dog sign language as that is mainly how they learn anyway, dogs don’t speak English, so too much talking confuses them, so the talking is all for the humans benefit not the dogs.
Yes, you can communicate her with sign languages, Obedience classes are excellent for deaf/hearing dogs. It would be good idea if you phone obedience classes and talk to trainer and let them know that your pup is deaf,
I am deaf meself, my guide dog is hearing, i sign to her, to sit stay, wait lie down, come to me by hand signals she understands me.
I click my finger ONCE means – Sit
Click finger TWICE – lie down
Shows her my opened hand means – stay
Claps means – up from being lied down
Pointing at area where I want my dog go and sit quietly
Clap then swift my hands to my left side means – she can go and play
When I want my dog’s attention I can shout her name or use dog whislter is she is in free-run in big park recalling. In the house I clap my hands on my lap she can hear me comes and touch her nose on my hands ( you can use vibrate collar with your deaf pup instead)
You can teach your pup different hand signals as long as its easy for your pup to understand
You can get vibrate device for your pup’s collar (With your dog trainer advice and fitted correctly)
I would not recommend using a shock collar to get her attention. You can teach a dog to sit and other things without using your voice and just with hand signals. Do a search on the internet or get a good dog training book that also shows the hand signals. When I went thru the puppy training class at Petsmart they also showed the hand signals so you may want to call one in your area and ask if they also do that.
Simple answer is yes
[ http://www.deafdogs.org/training/signs.php ]
I suggest getting the book “Living with a Deaf Dog” which is an older but good deaf dog primer.
[ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966005805/ddeaf ]
[ http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/books/bdeaf.php ]
I suggest getting a combo vibrating/shock collar, I’m guessing if properly trained, you will never need the shock portion but it might be good to have the option there.Dogtra is the best brand IMHO.
[ http://www.gundogsupply.com/vibration-collars–vibrating-collar-guide.html ]
[ http://www.deafdogs.org/training/vibratrain.php ]
add: I forgot, laser pointers and strong flashlights work good for visual ques and attention getting at a distance at dusk too. Your biggest concern with a deaf dog is attention getting and recall, unfortunately they can not hear cars coming and are prone to getting hit, make sure you have a very secure fenced yard and never leave them off leash in public or at parks.
Surefire lights have the best distance coverage in the most compact pocket light. I was able to use my light to light up address numbers from the ambulance and light up entire walls of apartment buildings from a distance.
[ http://www.surefire.com/ ]
You can teach a dog sign language. Dogs associate certain words or hand signals to certain actions. When you get your dog to do something like sit, just use a hand signal with the action and reward the dog. It would be easiest to get a Professional trainer to help out. Don’t use a shock collar, please.
I had a deaf puppy. She was a white greyhound. The breeders were trying to get an all white greyhound and unfortunately that is why she was deaf. We did effectively train her with hand signals but it takes alot of patience and some treats! We used to put a long rope using it as a leash. One of us would sit her down. Then the other one would use the hand signal for come which we made up and of course have a treat also. It took awhile but she eventually learned to come, sit, speak and stay. She was a very bright dog! It was no problem with her being deaf unless she got outside. Then we worried about her not being able to call her back. I do not know of a school for deaf dogs. But, training them is possible!
I don’t see why not. My dogs have never been taught a lot of tricks, but, when we tell them to set, we hold up a finger. Now, they will set with just the finger command, so, its all about teaching them to do so.