How does one raise a deaf puppy?

[cynatnite]

We have been looking for a dog and I came across this one in a shelter. His name is Duke.

[IMG][/IMG]

This is what was said about him...

His mom is a poodle/terrior mix and his dad is a Jack Russell/dachshund mix. Duke is deaf and will need a fenced yard or pen for playing. He would do best in a home without small children and hopefully a home where he can be taught by signing.

I love his look. He looks amazing, but I don't know how to raise a deaf dog.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

1. Can't help you on the specifics, but I know several people who have blind and/or deaf dogs

and they act like any other dog, completely oblivious to their disabilities. Duke is a cutie and I like the name Lots and lots and lots of love, patience and cuddles.

[Arkansas Granny]

2. You will be surprised at how he copes with his hearing loss.

I've never had a deaf dog, but I did have a deaf cat. She learned to watch me instead of listen for me. As long as he is kept in a safe environment where things he can't hear can't hurt him, he will probably make a very good companion. He will learn to read your facial expressions and body language (which dogs are very good at anyway) and can learn hand signals for obedience training. It may take a little more time and patience on your part, but it's very doable.

ETA: Come to think of it, I have had a deaf dog, but she lost her hearing with old age. She adapted quite well.

[RedCloud]

3. You put both hands around his chest

Simply pick it up.

[WillParkinson]

4. Hope this helps. He's adorable.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/training-and-caring-for-a-deaf-dog

[MadrasT]

5. Awwww

Well, I have a deaf cat. She doesn't know she's any different than any other cat and she gets along just fine. She does have a very loud meow (maybe because she can't hear herself to know how LOUD she is?)

She is an indoors-only cat (as are all my cats, to keep them safe).

I can't give you dog advice, but bless you for considering a special needs pet.

Every special needs pet I have ever known has been absolutely amazing in their own way.

[Motown_Johnny]

6. they have remote collars that are not shock collars

more like a muscle contraction kinda thing (as I understand it). It isn't supposed to be painful at all.

I would think that if you used this instead of calling him you could still train him pretty much the same as any other dog.

Signing is easy. I'm sure you could get used to that.


It might be better if he were in a home with a second dog. He would tend to follow the other one and so if you call one he would tend to follow.

I have never had a deaf dog but I don't think it would be all that hard, assuming you do have a fenced yard and are certain he can't escape. Invisible fencing might be good as a back up but I have heard of some dogs who just don't care and will run right through the shock area if they see a squirrel or something.

[nolabear]

9. Yep, vibrating collar. You train him to look at you when it vibrates

and then train him to hand signals. We had a deaf Jack Russell once. He was a darling but he was a handful. Ours came to a tragic end and I'll give you a caveat from that. ANYONE who takes care of the dog for you has to know how. We lost ours when a housesitter opened the door and he ran out and took off. She didn't have the remote in her hand and couldn't buzz him and we never saw him again. He didn't know her and I suspect might not have obeyed her anyway.

Good luck. It's possible to have a great pet but do be prepared to work hard at it.

[pipi_k]

7. I would imagine

you could probably train him using hand signals...rewarding him for making eye contact.

My two girls are not deaf, but I reward them for making eye contact anyway. Makes it easier for them to focus.

Oh, and just like any dog, quick rewards and consistency.

PS...he looks like a sweetheart.

[Taverner]

8. Scents are your friends!

I had to foster a deaf Samoyed puppy - and it was recommended that I use scents

Example: If I wanted her to go to her crate, I would spray the scent (you can get them from pet or hunting supply stores) around their crate, and leave a trail

Every time she went in her crate, she would follow the path and go

[flvegan]

10. Same way to raise one that can hear.

You just learn to communicate differently. Teaching hand signals is done in some forms of Schutzhund training. You must have patience, though. I'm sure that there are books or other resources that would help out in a big way.

Thank you for considering adopting a pup with a known handicap. It takes a very special person to do that.

[Bryn]

11. I have two dogs that can understand my sign language

They're not deaf, but I am. I speak to them in sign language. You'd be amazed at how dogs can read sign language/signals. My dearly departed hearing/signal dog named Shane could read over 100 words in sign language. I still miss her to this day.

In order to communicate with Duke, start with dog signals and basic sign language. He looks so adorable!!

[Bryn]

12. Watch how a deaf speaks to his cat

The cat isn't deaf, but owner is. You'd love this!

#!

[pipi_k]

16. Something I bet many people don't know...

well, non-dog owners, anyway...

They are very sensitive to their owners' facial expressions and moods, even if the humans aren't aware of it themselves.

[mopinko]

13. i think the do best when they are not only dogs.

i had a white boxer that was probably deaf, but she coped so well that it was a matter of great debate for her whole 12 years whether she could hear or not. she just paid attention to the other dogs, and watched everything.
i think she relied on her nose as well, tho, as she always knew when the mailman was coming.

i use hand signals for most of the common dog commands anyway, so...

[cynatnite]

14. We decided against it for a couple of reasons...

We agreed that another dog, an older one perhaps, would help. Husband said that he thinks housebreaking this one might be more difficult as well. The kid wanted Duke, but he agreed that there are probably better homes for his needs.

The people at the shelter said that we were not the first ones to call about Duke so they think he'll be adopted out rather quickly.

[HopeHoops]

15. Sign language. We use that with our dogs and cats and none of them are deaf.

Two fingers thrown down for lie down, flat hand down for sit, motion at your mouth (like you're eating a single M&M with all fingers) for "are you hungry?" or "want a treat?", one finger spinning for roll over, slap your hip a few times for "come", etc. They're amazingly quick to pick up on that and the training is no different from voice training other that what you are teaching.

The biggest challenge is the street. The first thing I do with a dog is walk it around the border of the property over and over and over and over. They know not to cross it unless signaled to. If they're on the sidewalk or in the grass near the road and a car is moving, they know to sit until it has passed. Initially a fence or pen would be good, but that's a very good combination of smart breeds (sorry golden fans - they're cute, but have never impressed me with intelligence). He looks like a sweetheart and I think you'll be surprised at how easy he is to train - house training will be the hardest thing. Remember, Helen Keller was both blind and deaf, but Annie Sullivan was still able to teach her.