Understanding Deaf Dog Training

Learning that your new pooch is deaf is the first hurdle any owner must accept. But then learning that training a deaf dog is not very different from training a hearing one, can take some of the sting out of learning that your dog is deaf.

You don’t need to use any different methods in deaf dog training, only different cues. Training a deaf dog does not even take any more time or effort. The concepts are all the same, as hearing dogs learn the meaning of words and commands through repetition, deaf dogs learn the same way. Because we depend so much on speech to communicate as humans, we just assume that dogs do so as well.

Dogs do not understand the English language or any other language. When two dogs meet, there is very little verbal communication between the two. They use scent and body language to communicate. They tell each other almost everything through these two forms of dog communication. The barking, whining and growling that our dogs use as verbal communication are an additional form of dog interaction, but not the primary one.

Competition dogs who compete for Obedience titles are required to learn hand signals. Working dogs use either hand signals or body language cues to perform their work. Most trainers will teach owners to use voice commands first and then move onto hand signals. Hand signals are by far, much easier for a dog to learn. Therefore, training a deaf dog is really not difficult at all.

ASL

Deaf dog training does not mean that you have to hire a trainer. There are many books on the subject of training deaf dogs and learning the hand signals can be done visually in the training book. There is a famous saying, “you can train a dog in five minute, it takes much longer to train the owner.”

Consistency is the first and foremost important thing about training a dog, whether the dog is deaf or not. There are no ‘wrong’ hand signals in training a deaf dog; you can use whatever feels most comfortable to you. Some people use American Sign Language or ASL. This is the same sign language that is used for deaf people. The advantage to using ASL in training your deaf dog, is that anyone who can sign ASL can communicate with your dog.

There are some dog owners who make up all of their own hand signals. However, most dog owners who are training a deaf dog, will use a combination of ASL and their own signals. Any hand signals that you choose will be fine for you and your dog.

Roland Parris Jefferson III is a web journalist operating out of Santa Monica, California. For up to date news, facts and Dog Training Tips, please visit our Hunting Dog Training Resource.

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Baby Sign Language – Yes and No

As a parent, it is likely that you frequently find yourself repeating yes and no to your baby, hoping to teach them and help them understand things that they should be doing and things they should not. American Sign Language can help you to communicate yes and no to your baby more easily (even from across a room) and also help them to better understand you.

To sign no, your pointer and middle finger should snap down on your thumb. To sign yes, shake your fist up and down as if nodding your head. It is also very important to remember to use facial expressions when signing, since sign language is such a visual language. When signing no, it would be most effective to make an angrier or firm face. On the other hand, when signing yes, it would be best to smile and make a happier, more supportive face.

I have found a book that I think would be especially useful for you to read and sign to your baby. It is titled No No Yes Yes by Leslie Patricelli. The only words in the book are yes and no. There is a picture on each page of a baby doing something wrong, and doing something right on the opposite page. For example, one page shows a baby dumping a bowl on his head and “no, no” is written above it. The next page shows a baby eating out of a bowl and the words “yes, yes” is written above it. This is a very visual book on its own, and adding signs will make it even more visual and easier for your baby to understand.

Remember to keep in mind that it is not necessarily important for your child to be able to sign the words, but most important that parents sign them regularly. This will ensure that the child will recognize and understand the signs and know if they are doing something right or wrong.

Remember, I have a Free Video that Reveals my #1 Secret to Drastically Reducing Baby’s Crying and Temper Tantrums at http://www.babysignlanguageonline.com.

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Baby Sign Language – Fun Activity

ItIf you are interested in learning some new sign language activities to teach your students or child, I have a great song for you to learn, sing and sign. With the Fall season quickly approaching, I have a gross motor activity that is great for introducing children to the changes they’ll be seeing outside in their world.

Some of these things that are often seen and talked about during this time of year are: apples and nuts. The signs you will need to know for this song are apples and nuts. To sign apple, take the knuckle of your pointer finger and twist it next to your cheek, with your remaining fingers in a fist. To sign nuts, flick your thumb out from behind your 2 front teeth.

The following are the lyrics, which are sung to the tune of “Ring Around the Rosie:” Words in italics are signed. Ring around the apples Pocket full of nuts Apples, apples They all fall down To make this even more interactive for students, have them turn in a circle for the line “ring around the apples.” Also have them fall down to the floor during the line “they all fall down.” You can also substitute words other than ring, such as march, stomp, or jump. Any action word you can think of would be a great way to make it more fun for children and engage them in the activity.

This is how it would work: March around the apples Pocket full of nuts Apples, Apples They all fall down. Jump around the apples Pocket full of nuts Apples, Apples They all fall down. Keep going until you run out of action words. This is a great song to teach to help children learn the words apple and nuts. The best part is that they will have fun doing it!

For more ideas on signing with your baby, visit http://www.babysignlanguageonline.com/blog

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Baby Sign Language with Stories

Reading stories to young children is already a great way to engage them while they are learning. If you incorporate sign language when reading stories, children will learn words more quickly and understand them more easily.

A great book I suggest reading to your child or students is Hello, Sun by Dayle Ann Dodds. This particular book is a great way to help teach children learn about different types of clothing and the weather.

A few of the signs I suggest using while reading this story are: Sun- Make a circle with your pointer finger in the air above your head and then open your fingers to form rays shining down. Clouds- Circle your hands over one another which palms facing each other Wind – Sways your hands back and forth. A lot of pieces of clothing and weather are mentioned throughout this book.

When the story begins, a girl dresses herself for a warm, sunny day. Each page the weather changes and she has to change her clothing to be better dressed for the weather. Some of the weather descriptions that are discussed throughout the book include clouds, wind, and snow. C

hildren will be able to learn about the different types of weather and how they should dress for each type. The repetition and rhythm in the book will keep children engaged in addition to seeing the different signs. For example, during each change of the weather, the child in the story says “uh-oh” because she needs to change her clothing. Babies love saying this, and many times it is one of their first words when they begin to speak. Therefore, in addition to signing throughout the story, your child will also love repeating this on each page.

Remember, you can find out more information about signing with your baby on my website, where I have a free video which reveals my #1 secret on how you can drastically reduce your baby’s crying and temper tantrums at www.babysignlanguageonline.com.

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Why are there so many people signing songs in ASL on youtube?

I don’t know any deaf people who are interested in music. I also see that a lot of young people are saying that this is an assignment for ASL class – what kind of ASL class are they taking?!?! None of my deaf teachers even touched on the topic of music. I think that hearing people who sign probably enjoy these videos the most. Any deaf out there with feedback?
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