Who knew my friend asking me an innocent question the other night about the little deaf puppy she’d adopted would spark so many questions on my end? But it did, because I’ve never had a dog with a disability and I couldn’t help but wonder, “What would you do in X, Y, and Z circumstances?”
For instance, I wondered how you’d train a deaf dog? Turns out, it’s not all that much different from training a hearing-able pooch.
Sure, you do have to rely more on hand signals, but you can be creative! Either with inventing your own hand signals or with using other things to train with such as flashlights and laser pointers. (Or even dog whistles, which I found out some “deaf” dogs can hear because it’s a matter of being hearing impaired rather than unable to hear anything at all.)
Next I couldn’t help but thinking about some of the things I take for granted with Murphy. Like calling him to me when he’s out of my sight, say in another room or something.
But how on earth do you go about getting a deaf dog’s attention when he’s not looking at you?
Getting Their Attention
TOUCH
This seems the most logical. You simply walk up and touch him or her lightly. Or even trying tricks like blowing gently on them to let them know you’re near first can help.
Because one very important consideration with deaf dogs that I’ve seen emphasized is you don’t want to startle them by sneaking up on them. Part of any touch-based methods will need a manner of desensitization so they’re not afraid when they’re touched first if they don’t see you coming.
THROWING OBJECTS
I should have thought of this one. (It’s how I get Wayne’s attention when he’s not paying attention to me!) But simply tossing something like a toy or a stick to draw your pet’s attention was also a recommended attention-getter.
LIGHT
This is another way flashlights, laser lights, and even porch and patio lights factor into play.
VIBRATIONS
This one was interesting. The Deaf Dog Education Fund recommended stomping your feet. The dog may sense the vibration and turn to around to check it out.