This is a very important question for anyone considering adopting a deaf puppy or dog to ask themselves. Are you up to the job?
While I state all over this website that training deaf dogs is not all that different than training hearing dogs, this is not an easy undertaking. You really have to always be thinking about your dog’s perspective. There’s an extra level of mindfulness required of you.
Because your dog cannot hear you,
1) You can’t just throw your voice around. Sometimes, you’ll just have to get up and find your dog if you can’t see her.
2) What you say with your body language matters always with dogs but often matters more with deaf dogs who gather information primarily through the ‘pictures’ presented throughout the day. Your actions really do speak volumes, perhaps frighteningly so.
3) You will most likely get frustrated.
4) You will from time to time wish your dog could hear you.
Before you bring any puppy or dog home but especially a special needs puppy or dog, please please please carefully consider the following questions.
Are you a patient person? Empathetic? Are you a strong advocate of others?
Will you have help? Is everyone in the family on board with having a dog? A deaf dog?
Do you have children? Are they old enough to understand that deaf dogs have different needs?
Are you comfortable explaining that their actions (or yours) could lead to your deaf dog losing his or her life (if a door is left open or someone thinks it’s okay to just let her off leash in the world at large)?
Have you ever trained a dog before? All on your own – as in, not the dog your parents were responsible for? Even if you have already trained a dog or you are a pro dog trainer, this shift might be too much for you. Habits are challenging to change.
If you’re someone who has to ‘have it your way’, please reconsider. Why?
In general, people expect too much of dogs and put too much pressure on them. Flexibility is a much needed asset. So is commitment and determination.
Contact me to discuss this before you adopt that beautiful deaf dog.
As always, I’m here to help.
Vera E. Wilkinson
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