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I am looking for any information about training apuppy with hand signals only. The puppy is deaf.?

I am looking for any information about training apuppy with hand signals only. The puppy is deaf.?

I have aquired an 8 week old, boxer puppy, she is all white and was born deaf. I would like to train her right and have been told that AKC has divisions for dogs using hand signals only. I don't want to show the dog but want her for a family pet and need a way to communicate commands and behaviors to her. Can anybody knowledgeable out there please help me. Thank You1

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12 Responses to “I am looking for any information about training apuppy with hand signals only. The puppy is deaf.?”

1. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   I'm not knowledgeable on this topic, but wanted to commend you for doing the right thing. You could ask your vet for advice, or, if you know a dog-trainer in your area, explain the situation and perhaps that person could help you. If not, maybe he or she could point you in the right direction.

   It's been my experience that dog-folks (vets, techs, trainers, groomers, owners, and breeders) are only too happy to help any way they can! Best of Luck to you, and congrats on the new pup!

2. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   I've helped train an older dog who went deaf, and also a puppy who was so hyper we had to do hand signals because he wouldn't listen to verbal cues. She will do fine, just make sure she sees your body language and feels you pet her (or give treats) when she does what you want her to do. Act really excited when you want to show her you are pleased. She'll recognize the hand signals really fast. Here are some signs
   http://www.deafdogs.org/training/signs.p…
   .
3. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   Check out Paul Owens. I am training under him right now. It's a combination of rewards, verbal and hand signals. I don't see why you couldn't just not use the verbal. I use only hand signals for come and sit now. Working on down and bed, coming along great.
4. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   You definitely can do this, and the good news is that most dogs have an easier time learning hand signals than vocal commands, perhaps because they watch our body language more than they listen to us (we say sooo much that dogs don't understand, but they know an angry or happy posture when they see it).

   One hand signals you might want are one for "good!", which means the dog will get a reward. This could also be a flashlight that you blink quickly when the dog does what you want. Flashlights tend to be good because the dog can see the reflection of the light even if she is not facing you. Get one with a button and not a switch since it makes it easier to turn it on and off. Follow the flash with a treat, ear scratching, or something else your dog loves.

   This website has a lot on deaf dog training and suggestions for signals to use.

5. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   One of my four dogs was born bilaterally deaf. He's a five year old Catahoula Leopard Dog, a homozygous merle. Other than a few rough weeks with excessive hand nipping/chewing, he was a breeze to train. In fact, he learned sit, down, come and roll over in the first few days (& just a few short sessions). He 'listens' better than my hearing dogs…or my kids, lol.

   The only real difference between a hearing and non-hearing dog is how you communicate. Although, that difference isn't as huge as it might seem, because dogs already communicate through body language. You can use any signs you want…AKC obedience, ASL, made up signs, etc. I use a combination of the three, but mainly the obedience and made up signs. Although, coming up with my own signs isn't easy, since I'm not very creative. As with any training, be consistent and reward.

   The deafdogs website is wonderful, lots of helpful information. Also, be sure to check out the "Deaf Dog Humor" page, found under the FAQ. It cracks me up, because much of it is true. I'm a member of the deafdogs yahoo group too, it's a great group…though I don't post much.

   The vet information (mentioned above) isn't true…they can still feel and will shake their head in response to blowing in their ears. In fact, they're very good at feeling slight vibrations too. That comes in handy when you need to get their attention, depending on the distance and type of floor/ground…tap or stomp your foot.

   ETA: I should caution you about using a flashlight…it works for some, but not all dogs. Some dogs will become so focused on the light, they quit paying attention to your signals. All they care about is the light (any light) and the treat that will be coming. My dog became obsessed (in a very short time), to the point of ignoring me at any flicker of light…be it a lighter, lamp, street light, car headlight, etc. I'll use the porch light to get his attention, but never, ever again to 'reward'.

6. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   Good Luck. We rescued a dog, she was so starved that her hide hung over her bones. She was part Lab. We didn't think she would live the night. Took her to the vet next day. He found she was deaf and blind. She had been dumped out at the side of road. She was at least 12 years old. He said to love her and just give her the best life we could and that her old senses would kick in. I know you can't do that with a puppy, but we were able to have two awesome years with this beautiful creature. She loved our family, we went slow with her, didn't move things around in the yard. She just did good. That was with no training. So I am sure you will do wonders with your little one. You get to enjoy the 4th of July, cause they don't hear the fireworks, so they don't get all freaked out.
7. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   There are many deaf dog web sites and much about how to train them. They are very trainable. I have a firend who has a cattle dog who was born deaf and I have shown with her and the dog. She is the most focused dog and one of the most obenient dogs I have ever seen.
   They also have a shock collar that has a vibration only mode. You push the button and instead of a shock the collar vibrates so you can get the dogs attention. It works well if the dog is focused on chasing something or has not learned to look back at you on a regualr basis. I know a trainer who starts out using this type of collar. They can be found with hunting gear.
   Good luck with you dog Boxers are such great dogs they are lots of fun and have such great personalities.
8. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   are you sure it was born deaf? i think a vet told me that if you blow in its ear and it responds its not. Anyway i would suggest sternly pointing at your dog could make it understand no and you know how people calling their dogs bend down their knees and backs a little while they pat their legs well that could be for making it come to you..but you would of course have to find the dog first and then do that to make it follow you. You could also have some food in your hand and show it to him and push its butt down to make it learn to sit. Well good luck with that though.
9. admin Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
   I just wanted to add that there are also Yahoo Groups for deaf dogs and their owners. That might be a good resource for you.

   http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/deafd…

   http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/deafB…

   http://www.boxer-rescue-la.com/Library/a…

   http://www.deafdogs.org/

   http://www.wtboxers.com/deafpet/index.ht…

   Please be responsible and spay her ifshe's not already.

   The only "divisions" for dogs that use hand signals is advanced obedience. The dog would need to be registered or get an ILP number from the AKC. I do not believe the AKC lets dogs with disabilities compete at this time, but that may have changed.

   But AKC is NOT the only organization that puts on dog events. You can also check out the UKC's obedience rules…..I think they are more lax about disabilities otherwise check the APBT club I think they also sponsor obedience.

   I'm sure when you join some deaf dog lists they can let you know what competions are open to you.

   Obedience and Rally are fun…..you might also try basic agility and other activities.

10. admin Says:
    September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
    Go to http://www.magdrl.org and contact someone on the Board of Directors or the Volunteers. There are a LOT of deaf Great Danes, so these folks can direct you to appropriate training. Their hand-signaled Danes thrive, from what I can tell. Good luck to you and your puppy — she'll appreciate the guidance and love you've obviously got for her.
11. admin Says:
    September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
    This should be very easy because all animals respond to your energy not your voice. Dogs are born with their eyes and ears closed so they rely on their mothers energy. I think using treats and a leash would be the best way to train your puppy and always have a calm energy while training your puppy. Hope this helps!
12. admin Says:
    September 7th, 2009 at 11:53 am
    Well, I taught my dog hand signals but it was easier because he is hearing enabled. I suppose you could do it the same way, even saying the word, he can learn what it looks like when you say the command. What I did was teach "sit" first. That is what all his commands start with. I didn't use ASL (American Sign Language) just my own signals. For "sit" I just used my index finder and pointed from up to down. Before he knew this command, I would have to gently press on his rear to get him to sit. When he did, I repeated the "sit" command and hand signal. Then came the treat! After awhile he knew what "sit" and my hand signal meant. Then, all I had to do was the hand signal. I would think you could do this same thing.

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