Deaf dogs are much more popular than you might think. They comprise around 5-10% of pets in the world.
Hearing loss may be caused by genetics (they have it as a part of their birth), or it can be acquired. Hearing loss that is acquired is often the result of trauma, chemical reactions, or aging-related losses. Congenital hearing is observed in young children and is usually related to coat colors.
Whatever the reason for hearing loss, just because dogs cannot hear does not suggest they’re untrainable. It’s just a matter of thinking beyond the norm.
Tips for Training Deaf Dogs
Below are some suggestions on how you could modify your training program to accommodate hearing dogs’ needs.
Teach That Touch Is Good
Because hearing-impaired dogs can’t hear you when you call the dog, it is essential to teach them that touching is good. Be sure to train it the way you would train other behaviors.
The gesture is intended to attract attention, similar to how calling the hearing dog’s name will draw the attention of its owners.
Choose where you’ll be able to touch your dog to say, “I want your attention” (for instance, the shoulders or the rump).
Combine the tap with positive reinforcement to ensure your dog knows you’re paying attention every time you tap on that area. You can use a double or single tap. Do not do a repetitive one since this can be considered annoying and irritating for your dog.
If you want to instruct your dog to go towards the side, you tap by reinforcement when they tilt their head towards the opposite direction of the tap.
Break Each Behavior Into Steps With “Shaping”
Shaping behavior is essential in teaching dogs to think for themselves. Through shaping Training, the final behavior can be divided into smaller parts, which are then taught gradually. Every step is closer to achieving the ultimate behavior, making it simpler for dogs to master.
Modify Traditional Clicker Training With “Hand Flashes”
Clicker-based Training is a reliable method of Training that allows the shaping of dogs and can be tailored for hearing dogs. Clicker training is the use of a click (click) to indicate the dog’s proper behavior.
Although dogs who are deaf cannot hear, they can use the concept of Training with clickers.
Many trainers working with deaf dogs suggest deliberately opening and closing the hands, also known as a hand flash. This is a “clicker” to mark the behavior. Hand movements are later followed by rewards.
If you are with hand flashes, it is essential to be sure that you are aware of the following:
- The dog can clearly see the flash of hands.
- The flash on the hand immediately follows, followed by an award.
When your dog is learning about this, it is suggested that you use a harness, lunge line, or long leash.
Try Physical (Touch) Clicker Training
It depends on the type of activities you would like to do with your dog. Some trainers teach physical click.
It involves a firm but soft touch to the muzzle or ear, indicating correct behavior. This is immediately followed by a reward.
A physical click is utilized when a dog is positioned in a way that does not permit the dog’s handler to quickly reach a flash of a hand into the dog’s vision.
Teach a Check-In Behavior
This check-in routine helps your dog understand how to approach you and request the direction you provide.
Although the process of checking in is crucial to all dogs, it’s more crucial to deaf dogs that cannot detect a vehicle approaching or sense a barking dog.
To learn a check-in routine, you can begin by rewarding your dog each moment it stares at you.
At first, give your dog the freedom to move around in a secure space to decide whether to stare at you. If they do, employ a hand flash or click to highlight the dog’s behavior, giving your dog an incentive.
Once your dog has improved and become more confident, you can take your practice into more disorienting settings. However, remember to wear the harness and leash until the behavior is well-known.
If they’re eyeing you regularly, you can provide a signal that tells your child what to do, such as being more attentive, looking around, or performing an action.
Train Your Dog to “Settle”
It is beneficial to teach every dog to lie on a mat and relax when other activities occur. This can be particularly helpful to hearing-impaired dogs because they might be unable to tell that another dog is annoyed by their behavior.
The dog’s owner needs to be aware of what is happening within the dog’s surroundings to assure that, if necessary, you may ask the dog to go on its mats to stay clear of unneeded conflict or risk.
The bed can be a towel as well as a platform. Begin by rewarding your dog with one foot on the surface in the beginning, then continue to ask your dog to get further towards the object until the entire body.
Use Hand Signals
It is also necessary for the ability to connect hand signals and actions. Use any signal you like.
Ensure you are consistent, and select the hand signal before beginning Training.
Many people use human languages, but you may make your own personal. It is only better to employ one-handed hand signals, which means you have a spare hand to reward you.
Begin with your hand flash and reward your dog when performing the desired behavior (shaping). You can then add the signal before the behavior, and then you can reward your dog with a “flash” and treat for your dog’s correct execution of the behavior you wish to achieve.