Has anyone worked with deaf and/or blind dogs? I'm going to help a local rescue do home checks, as they're on the other side of town and don't really have anyone in my area to do them, and just wanted some feedback/tips if anyone has them.

I doubt I'll be working with the dogs, as I'm not able to foster/adopt at this time, and I'm not in the right area to help with transport. But it's always good to know about the dogs I'm working for!

BTW, they're the Lethal White Aussies, just so you know what I'm talking about! (That D#$@ merle x merle breeding 'problem').

I dont like deaf dogs. Mad my renter get rid of his Deaf Pit bull. I would think it depends on the dog but if it has any domance problems you need to watch your body language. Its all they have to know if you entend to hurt them. Thats all the experence I have with Deaf. He went from calm to nervy with the loss. You could see he was uneasy in his eyes.

Blind ones I have had no problems with.

Just my experence but I am no way an expert.

I can definately see that as an issue.

However, these are all 'lethal whites' so they've all been born deaf/blind. (Homozygous merle gene causes it, a genetic 'defect' from breeding merle x merle).

I guess the 'advantage' (if you can call it that) is that they haven't lost any senses, they were just born without them. So they're not necissarily as jumpy as dogs that have lost the sense. Dealing with dogs that have gone deaf/blind later in life can be hard!

If begun properly blind and deaf dogs are not an issue. I knew one person who went out of her way to adopt them and came up with a system of training that involved touch, lure, and reward. I've seen one of these dogs and it is amazing the amount of trust these dogs develop in their owner.

Where things can get out of hand are dogs that are blind, deaf, and badly frightened or no attempt is made to train them in the beginning.

Melissa,

This is what the rescue I'm working with does. They have approximately 50 (!) dogs in the 'system' right now looking for homes. 99% are Lethal whites (VERY few exceptions- the other rescues take the 'normal' dogs).

Most of them are deaf, with at least a visual impairment, some completely deaf/blind. Some are seeing/hearing impaired, but not completely.

They're all pretty young, with a lot of dogs under 1 year.

They work with them on OB: Sign language for the deaf dogs, touch commands for the deaf/blind. Because they're all 'born that way', there isn't much issue for jumpiness, unless they've been neglected by previous owners.

I've been seeing that they really bond closely with their owners, closer than most dogs do.

Anyway, I'm just trying to get more of a feel for the genetically deaf/blind dogs so I can help as much as possible. Hopefully I don't end up with a house full!

I have owned a deaf dog (she was deaf from repeated ear infections before she came to me) and also dog-sat a blind dog while his owner was hospitalized.

This http://www.petcarebooks.com/books/living_blind.htm
was invaluable.

For example: I learned about scents on things (different ones for "watch out," for furniture legs or obstacles, and then for "come this way", for the route to his bed and dishes). (I used essential oils.) I learned about picking up the small dog slowly with him able to keep a sense of where the floor was, and a million other things.

I would urge you to get that book. I borrowed it from the library, but I think it's readily available.

A friend of mine a deaf mini-aussie. Sweetest dog. She adapted well to everyday life, and worked outside. They definitely bond closer to their owners, and she learned very well with hand signals just as every other dog. They just need someone who can work a little harder with them..which I think comes with most "herding/working" dogs anyway. Just definitely not for the faint of heart, without the right training.

One of my daughter's is a interpreter for the hearing impaired. He dog had normal hearing but my daughter taught the dog all it's commands with sign language.
A dog will pick up your body language quicker then they will learn from vocalization. Just the nature of a dog.
When one of my own dogs became deaf with age, he still responded to my hand signals learned for the AKC UD title in his younger years.
He also became very aware/responsive to footsteps in the house. Tap a foot on the floor and you got his instant attention.

 Quote: Megan Berry

Has anyone worked with deaf and/or blind dogs? I'm going to help a local rescue do home checks, as they're on the other side of town and don't really have anyone in my area to do them, and just wanted some feedback/tips if anyone has them.

I doubt I'll be working with the dogs, as I'm not able to foster/adopt at this time, and I'm not in the right area to help with transport. But it's always good to know about the dogs I'm working for!

BTW, they're the Lethal White Aussies, just so you know what I'm talking about! (That D#$@ merle x merle breeding 'problem').

I thank you for doing the home checks and being so responsible about them. As a rescue myself, You are an integral part of the dogs getting a good safe home. Home checkers in areas we cannot physically get to are a God send. More than anything else, read the people. Of course, their home must be safe for these special dogs, but I find that your first instincts on a foster/adopter are usually dead on. Many want to help yet don't have the time, skills or realization as to what the dogs need. Others just need some support to delve into the process. Good Luck!

That is WONDERFUL of you to help out.

I had to sort of laugh though, at the "other side of town" being too far. I was once turned down as a foster home for a rescue, because I live 1 hour away from them, which was too far.

I am currently a foster home for another rescue and the nearest other rescue person to me, foster or otherwise, is about 4 hours away. My co-ordinator is 1/2 continent away and my foster dogs come from all over the US. It (distance) does make the work more difficult, but it's allll relative. Homecheckers are very important

It's great that the rescue has you to help them out. Rescue needs all the help they can get.

I had a deaf dog once. They still make great pets but shouldn't be off leash unless equipped with a vibrating pager e-collar. As long as the prospective owners know the dog(s) is(are) deaf and are willing to train it with hand signals, etc. It should be fine. Small kids are apt to startle the dogs though, but I'm sure the rescue knows this.

Probably they want to just make sure the people are who they said they were on their application. (i.e. their yard is fenced, it's not a junkyard with fighting pitbulls, etc); other pets in the home appear well-fed and happy, etc. The rescue has likely already informed them about the dog and screened them over the phone. Ask for a copy of the app so you can see for yourself and judge if their home will be suitable. The rescue or foster parent can also tell you what they would like to see in the home situation for that particular dog.