Tips for training deaf dogs

Guide to Training our Puppies - Hearing or Deaf Dogs

I am always extremely humbled and honored when an expert reaches out to me and offers great information to share with our readers. Helping each other creates a special relationship, a positive bond that I believe is so important to creating wonderful lives enjoying our friendships. And, sharing our experiences and thoughts about our precious dogs is just about the BEST!

I hope that you enjoy this article given to us to post. The information is pertinent for hearing and deaf dogs — dogs of all types, shapes, sizes, genders, and abilities. We only need to adapt according to our dogs needs. No need for “rocket science.”

Thank you, Sean Farrell, for reaching out and providing us with this wonderful information and guide.

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We’ve all met dogs that aren’t the best behaved. They might jump. They might be rude to other people, such as small children. They might pull hard on a leash or eat food off of a table. Those dogs aren’t any fun to be around and even less fun to be part of your family. But a well-behaved dog? Well that’s something to behold — a dog that you can walk easily and snuggle with and introduce to people. But that well-trained dog starts not when it becomes an adult, but when that dog is a puppy. So understanding when you should start building your puppy’s repertoire of good skills is important.

The start date? It can be immediate. There are things that your puppy can do when it’s very small. What are those and how can you best help your puppy become a well-mannered adult? This graphic explains it.

Your New Puppy Training Guide: When to Tackle Each Skill

By Caroline Golon

Training is a critical part of your puppy’s growth and development. But when is the right time to start training? The short answer: It depends on the skill. Read on to get a better handle on timing training for your new pup.

Basic Commands

The first phase of training involves basic commands, because it is a foundation for every other type of training. Simple commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “lay down,” and “leave it” are important ways to keep your puppy safe and happy as they explore the world.

Training your pup simple obedience commands can begin as soon as they come home with you, typically around 7 to 8 weeks.  

Try to choose an area of your house with as few distractions as possible and keep training sessions to around 5 to 10 minutes, spread throughout the day. Puppies are notorious for short attention spans. Plus, they tire out quickly!

The key to successful puppy training is to make it a positive, fun activity. Do everything you can to maintain a happy, positive energy during each training session. (Though how can you not with a cute puppy bounding around the room?)

While there is no specific order in which to train basic commands, one of the best skills to teach first is “come” because it is a lifelong skill your puppy needs for obedience and safety.

“Sit” is another relatively easy command to teach your puppy, especially if you use rewards and lots of praise. “Lay down” is slightly more difficult to teach simply because puppies are full of energy! Similarly, “stay” can be a bit trickier with an energetic pup, but is another key element of your puppy’s basic training.

Suggestions for Deaf Dogs (from Connie Bombaci):

1) Use American Sign Language so not to reinvent the wheel and allow many others the ability to communicate with your special deaf dog.

2) Teach the sign for cookie first. Your deaf dog will realize that your hands are “saying” something yummy, and your deaf dog will watch you and your hands much more intently.

Potty Training

Potty training should begin as soon as you bring your new puppy home as well.

But remember, potty training your puppy requires time and patience.

It also requires a schedule. Take your pup out every two hours to start, increasing time as he or she gets older. You can even set a timer to keep everyone on track.

Most puppies get the concept of going outside within a few weeks but it’s important to remember that puppies have small bladders. They may not be able to hold it for very long. Puppies can be expected to hold their bladders for the number of hours that corresponds with their age in months. In other words, a five-month-old puppy should be able to hold it for around 5 hours. This is true up until about 9 months when any dog may have trouble holding for longer than 9 hours.

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Crate Training

Crate training a puppy is an activity that helps with other aspects of your dog’s training and protects him or her (and your sofas and rugs!) when you aren’t around to supervise. Many dogs grow to love their crates as it represents a safe spot to sleep or get some private down time.  

You can begin crate training as soon as you bring your new puppy home, typically around 8 weeks. And because dogs instinctively don’t like to mess where they sleep (we don’t blame them!) they typically hold it while in the crate within a reasonable time frame. At some point their little bladders may not be able to hold it anymore, so be sure to take your puppy out every few hours.

Leash Training

Walking on a leash is not natural behavior for dogs. That’s why puppies often dart in different directions when they first have a leash on. The good news? Leash training your puppy at a young age will build good leash manners for a lifetime.

You can also start leash training as soon as you bring your new puppy home. Put his collar and harness on when he’s running around the house, playing, or being trained. When your puppy goes in his or her crate or is unsupervised, make sure to take off the leash and/or harness so they don’t get tangled.

Once your puppy is used to their harness and collar, it’s time to add the leash. Start by allowing your puppy to drag it around until he or she doesn’t seem to mind it. Then, you can take your pup on short walks around the house. Gradually move the walks to the yard and then, once your puppy has the hang of walking on the leash (i.e. he follows you) you can move on to short walks in the neighborhood. (Just make sure your puppy has the proper rounds of vaccinations before venturing out of the safety of your home.)

When to Teach Your Puppy Additional Skills

Similar to people, dogs are different when it comes to learning. Some dogs pick up training, commands, and tricks right away, while others take a little longer. Before you move on to more advanced skills such as “rollover,” “shake,” “leave it,” or “wait,” make sure you get the foundation down. And remember: Training never really ends. As a pet parent, it’s your job to keep up your training, continually practice known commands, and move on to advanced training as your dog grows.

Conclusion

Training is essential. It builds trust, helps you bond, and teaches critical skills to last a lifetime.

Tips for Beginning with Deaf Dogs

Hogan and Georgia 1997

Hogan and Georgia 1997

In response to the request for help, I am re-blogging my beginning letter that I send folks seeking advice. Living with a deaf animal is actually quite easy if you have an open heart and mind. It doesn’t take the volumes of information that some fear that it might take. I am not saying that living with a deaf dog doesn’t need special adaptations, but making adjustments like we would with a deaf person is straightforward and intuitive.

I have been blessed to have been working with deaf dogs since 1993. Hogan was our first with Georgia joining our family shortly after his adoption. Judea is our wonderful girl who currently graces our lives with her wonderful love and presence.

Enjoy your deaf dog! Living successfully with our deaf dogs is very possible!

Beginning Letter

 Responding to folks who inquire, “How do I get started?”

Hello!

I am so very glad to hear from you.  There is so much to say about loving and living with a deaf pup that I can only begin here.  What I know for absolute certainty is that I would not trade my life with my deaf pups for anything in the world!

        The best advice I can give anyone with a deaf pup, child, friend, or relative is to establish a solid method of communication.  Communication is the key to success.  I didn’t know American Sign Language (ASL) prior to adopting my Hogan so my husband purchased a pocket-sized book for me to use.  I decided to use ASL because I know many folks who know at least a bit of sign.  I didn’t have to “reinvent the wheel” so to speak.  Additionally, when I had to leave my pups with a sitter or the vet, I merely had to give them the handbook or copies of the most important signs that I use.  This made it possible for many other people to “talk” with my pups without a great deal of instruction which could be vital in sudden situations!  Most importantly, my pups were never left in a totally "silent" environment; someone could always talk to them. 

I also adopted a deaf female Dalmatian named Georgia; and both Hogan, Georgia, and my hearing black lab, India, understood many signs and short sentences. They understood over 70 signs, and I used many more with them.  It was wonderful.  They loved my signing to them, and folks could actually see them watching my hands and face for messages.  They became very intent.

I started through simple repetition. "Sit" is great to start along with "cookie."  Once your pup puts together cookie and the reward, you will be off and running!  Keep it simple and always use a sign for what you want.

Deaf pups are smart and they are very capable of learning.  Because dogs are physical in nature, they naturally watch for signals and body language.

I even taught them the sign for "car" since they loved to ride in the car.  When I told them that we were embarking on a road trip,  they ran for the door.  "Kiss" was fun and going for a "walk" met with joy-filled approval.  "Potty" (I used the sign for toilet which is simply the letter "T") is great.  I signed it every time I took them out to go potty, and they knew I meant business, especially if it was late and I wanted to go to "bed."

Repetition was how I trained my pups to understand any of the signs.  Instead of using the spoken word, I simply used the sign for the word and followed it with having them do what I wanted or needed them to do.       

Always be gentle, patient, and very positive.        

Reward, never punish.  The more you reward, the more the pup will respond.  I did all my training with positive reward and reinforcement.         

Socialization is also extremely important and must never stop.  It must be continuous.   Let others give treats which will make meeting other people a wonderful experience for your pup.       

Desensitization to scary situations, such as being startled or awakened suddenly, is also critical and needs to be done slowly, carefully, and patiently.        

Praise is crucial; touch is essential; and massage works wonders.        

AND . . . remember that a tired dog is a good dog!

Our deaf animals can be wonderful and loving members of our families if we remember they have some special needs.

Judea

Judea