So, besides all the problems listed in the previous post- she is deaf. Anyone have any good books, websites, trainers or ideas on how to work with her?

 Quote: rebekah schwartz

So, besides all the problems listed in the previous post- she is deaf. Anyone have any good books, websites, trainers or ideas on how to work with her?

I sure do. I have a "bulging" file of web sites that give training tips as well as a group (forum) of people who live with deaf dogs and offer suggestions and support.

Give me a half-hour or so and I'll come and post them after I feed the dogs.

 Quote: rebekah schwartz

So, besides all the problems listed in the previous post- she is deaf. Anyone have any good books, websites, trainers or ideas on how to work with her?

Well, I find that the forum has become pretty inactive, but I'll look for another one.

Meanwhile:

http://www.deafdogs.org/training/#desensitization

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_DeafDogs.html

http://www.deafdogs.org/training/

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB552

http://www.deafdogs.org/faq/

http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/dogsites.php

http://www.wagntrain.com/deaf_dog.htm

http://www.bogartsdaddy.com/Bouvier/Sabrina/doc-training_deaf_intro.htm

Also, having had the deaf-dog experience with Luna from age 6 to age 12 (when she died), I will be more than happy to help with any questions I can answer.

One thing I would have done sooner, if I had known better, was to teach her the basic commands right away. Luna was excellent at reading lips, and I think it was probably because her deafness was gradual, so she could associate the spoken command with the lip movements. This might not be the case with the young girl you have, so you might have to rely 100% on hand signals.

I learned to use a facial expression (big smile) and a hand signal for a marker.

I learned that the deaf dog will usually hang pretty close to you. Or Luna did, anyway.

I learned that she could "hear" a sharp clap. I guess it was more a matter of feeling the percussion in the air? I don't really know..... I guess it's possible that she had a tiny bit of hearing left, although the vet said her ears were totally shut.

I learned always to have her on lead unless she was in a secure area because she could wander off and not hear me calling her.

But I also learned that training her was not very different from training normal dogs.

Wow! Tons of info!

Someone eles on here mentioned using the "page" featue on an e-collar. Any experience with that? Seemed like a good idea.

I've never had a deaf dog, I can only imagine . Good luck, and thanks for giving her a good place to live, however long it lasts.

I too have read about using a vibrating collar for the deaf dog, but I didn't have that and didn't know about it with Luna. Maybe someone else here has had that experience.

Someone on the board uses the "pager" with their deaf dog.

I did a quick search, I think it was Kelly Hardy

http://www.leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=23&Number=139475&Searchpage=2&Main=14756&Words=deaf&topic=0&Search=true#Post139475

Wow, you are all so full of information... She is a good dog, so far. No accidents in the house, but it does seem that she was abused at some point. I've changed my guessing on her age to somewhere between 8-12 months. I looked at her teeth, and it looks as though they just started to fully come in. Im going to look into the collar, but it seems as though she isnt totally deaf.. maybe 95%. I wistled and she turned into my direction. I'm going to get a dog wisitle tomarrow and see how that works. I've made a vet appointment for Saturday. I hope her wobbly walk isnt permanent. I'll also get some better pics. She looks like a dog someone had in the sig.. Very dark sable.

Here's my optimistic outlook. I think that she is wobbly and walks in circles because of an ear infection that is throwing her balance off. Said infection could be causing the hearing loss as well.

Connie, Did your deaf dog walk fine? Being deaf is one thing, but that affliction shouldn't cause an otherwise healthy dog to have balance problems. That is why I think this dog can be fixed.

I hope soon I can say "I told you so". Good Luck Rebekah.

Howard

I hope so also- we'll see tomarrow.

 Quote: howard knauf

Here's my optimistic outlook. I think that she is wobbly and walks in circles because of an ear infection that is throwing her balance off. Said infection could be causing the hearing loss as well.

Howard

You are right about that. I'm pleased to know that you know about many things. It seems like Deaf people and deaf dogs have similar problems. I haven't had deaf dogs, but I didn't realize some problems are similar such as balance. I know many deaf people who are profoundly deaf, always will have problem with balance. I will never keep my balance firm if I'm standing on one leg.

I was born hearing, but I became deaf at three. My mom told me after I became deaf, I had a hard time walking. I used to crawl and hold the door knobs to help me relearn how to walk. She said it took a long time, about six months after I can walk on my own.

I don't know how helpful I can be with a deaf dog. We deaf people hate when people approach us coming from behind, we tend to prefer someone approach front or side. I'm not sure why, but we often get really "JUMPY" and scream when someone walked up from behind and caught us by surpise. I don't know if deaf dogs are that senstive as we are.

I believe you can use your hands to communicate, give out signals, and get her attention like give a big gesture to wave. I don't think anyone has tried this on a deaf dog before. I don't know how well dogs can see the light. You can practice and teach the dog to use the light as getting their attention. You can teach her that when you want to call her come back to you use the light to redirect her attention.

I would prefer to practice it first with a switch light, not a flash light or laser. I have seen dogs go crazy over that things, you don't want that. You only want to teach her that on and off switch means you want her come to you. First, she has to get the concept that a quick on and off light means you want her to come. Before you move to a normal "flashlight" where you can carry it with you everywhere to get her attention if you need. Don't play like a chase game with a flashlight where a dog would chase the light, only use it as on and off when u want her attention.