Raising a Deaf Dog

I adopted a 3 year old Shetland Sheep dog named Magic from the local shelter May 15, 2006. She was born deaf due to some careless breeding. We are adapting to having a "special needs dog". Can anyone give me helpful advice or share stories of their deaf dog?

Thanks.

WyoKrista from Laramie, WY

Answers:

Raising a Deaf Dog

I never had a deaf dog, but I was an interpreter for the deaf, and I'd recommend picking up a sign language book and finding basic signs you'd normally say to your dog and use them consistently when responding to her. (07/04/2006)

By Shellee

Raising a Deaf Dog

Our Golden Retriever is 13 and he went deaf in January. We trained him with hand signs so he is still able to understand his commands. We have also taught him the signs for "No" and "Yes". He knows them now. If you just find some and do them over and over and make her do what you are trying to teach her. She will catch on quickly. (07/07/2006)

By kinmicsmom

Raising a Deaf Dog

Please Google "deaf dogs" and look around. There is a ton of good info out there. Best wishes to all. (07/07/2006)

By aardvark

Raising a Deaf Dog

There is a Yahoo group for blind, deaf, and blind and deaf dogs. Just go to groups.yahoo.com and search for deaf dogs.
Ashley (07/11/2006)

By Ashley

Raising a Deaf Dog

Thank you for the responses so far. We think her previous owners worked with her with hand signals a bit. She knows signs for sit, lay down and we are learning roll over. She's also learning: stay, and go for a walk, and eat. I know some signs from my previous job of being a preschool teacher for some hearing impaired children.

She is mostly an indoor dog and has a dog run in the yard. We always keep her on her leash except when going the few feet from her dog run to the house. She is constantly looking at me or my husband for "what to do". We have also found that when she is in "trouble", like for barking inside, all we have to do is frown at her and point at her and she knows she is in trouble. She is very good at looking at facial expressions to know what our mood is.

Thanks again everyone
Krista (07/11/2006)

By

Raising a Deaf Dog

I have a year old bull dog who is deaf. Repetition, that's the best advice I can give you. My Gus knows sign language for treat, sit, come, shake, lay down, and many others. I made up the signals, but they work. Try it.
(07/16/2009)

By dorothy