BehavioRx Case of the Month
for January 2003

A family of five, including three teenage boys, Mom and Dad, were dismayed to discover that their new 9 week-old puppy was deaf. He had been so attentive to them during the first few days at home that no one noticed that he wasn't responding to noises until Mom accidentally dropped a pan behind "Barney" in the kitchen.
During our consultation, everyone seemed committed to keeping the pup. Their veterinarian had wisely told them about several of his clients with deaf dogs were as
happy as those with hearing pets after their programs with us at Sun Valley Ranch. Barney's family were all delighted to know that the strong orientation he showed
toward them was a tremendous advantage. (Older dogs usually require a great deal more effort than puppies.) What follows is a description of the program that has worked wonders over many years. Each session should begin and end with a different family member, so the dog doesn't develop any preconceived notions about who is to be obeyed first.

Teaching for You and Your Deaf Dog

The biggest challenge in teaching a deaf dog is also the key element in communicating with it ... keeping its visual attention on you. But, once you achieve this primary
goal, the rest is a piece of cake. Speaking of cake, lots of people combine intermittent tidbits with praise and petting during the initial steps of the following procedure to speed up the process. If you use treats, be sure to phase them out by withholding them on the last of each routine (Follow, Come Sit) during each
session. Then, start each session without treats on the first two or three routines. After a few weeks you shouldn't need them at all.

The basic tool for keeping the deaf dog's visual attention on you is an ordinary bean bag. These can be quickly made from dried beans and light canvas material cut and sewed about 2 inches square. Some school sports supply stores have ready-made bean bags. We prefer the home made models because they are lighter and less expensive.

The Method

Start is an enclosed area no more than about 40 feet square. Distractions at first should be minimal. Stand in the center of the area (where leaders position
themselves) and keep the left side toward the dog ... wherever it goes. This makes it impossible for the dog to circle you, which is a bossy behavior.
When you begin, if the dog is looking at you, crouch right down and clap your hands so the dog sees the quick movement. This provides a visual attraction. Keep up the clapping until the dog either comes to you or looks away. If it looks away, toss a bean bag at its rear legs. As soon a bean bag makes contact, crouch and clap again. Repeat this process until the dog comes all the way to you. Then, give it lots of upbeat petting for about 10 seconds. Then, quickly stand up and step rearward, trying to get behind the dog. With this move, you are testing the dog's visual orientation to you. If it does not look at, and turn with you, toss another bean bag and repeat the crouch/clap routine.

Don't worry if the dog picks up a bean bag. Just carry on and toss the next one. Many dog we have trained actually carried the bag to us during early sessions. This
disappeared later.

Speed is Essential

This training process relies on speed in order to dominate the deaf dog's total visual attention. This means you have to prepare yourself for a extremely active 10
to 15 minutes, which is about how long it usually takes before the dog will, quite literally, not leave your side, even though you step behind and try to get away from
it.

When The Dog Stays With You

When the dog will not leave you, try to stand still and move your hand from in front of the dog's eyes to a spot over its head. When its eyes 'track' your hand, keep
moving it back, looking for a sit. Try this only a couple of times. This may work during the first session, but more often it won't. Don't worry. The main goal of the
first session is to gain the dog's orientation.

In following sessions, visual distractions should be introduced, such as other people or dogs in the area. When the dog comes to the crouch/clap and stays three times in a row, the sessions should be ended, once again trying for the sit.

Within a few teaching sessions the sit will be gained, which is great, because it gives the dog something to do after it gets to you. At that time, the stay hand
signal should be used, but you should not leave the dog's side for a few sessions. Teaching the dog to sit and stay with you is first, before teaching the concept of
sit/staying without you.

Just as with hearing dogs, deaf ones must learn in different areas, with gradually increasing distractions in each new area. Once you arrive at a new area with extreme
distractions and the dog keeps its attention on you from the very beginning ... you will know you have achieved your goal of total orientation.  It goes without saying that all of the teaching sessions should be held in areas free from danger to the dog from vehicles or other animals.

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