Pettags Sonic & Vibration REMOTE DOG TRAINER (One Size Fits All) is a gentle yet effective way to give your deaf dog remote commands - such as come, stop barking, etc. . Each collar comes with 2 correction modes. Vibration mode gives you a choice of settings which allows you to control the command. You also have a sound mode that releases a high frequency sound that can be used for a second remote command for dogs with partial hearing loss (ask your vet if this frequency is heard by your dog)..  With practice your dog can learn to differentiate between the different levels in the vibration settings to allow various remote commands.  We suggest "no/stop" and "come" for starters.. Both methods are very humane in that NO electrical shock is used. Fits necks up to 25 inches. 2 Training modes: Sound & Vibration Manual or Automatic Controls 150 feet Range

 

Door Sticker - Warning Open door carefully. Make sure dog sees your approach.  Deaf Dog on Premises.

 

This heavily illustrated, self-teaching guide to ASL--American Sign Language--is useful for the finding just the right sign for your deaf dog.  Also, when you use standard sign language, others will be able to "talk" to your deaf dog as well, particularly at the vet office or in other situations where you might have to leave the dog with a sitter.

 

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First you must establish if your dog is REALLY deaf...and it's not just selective hearing...to do this:

Take some stiff crinkly plastic packaging, such as a chip bag, and crinkle it.   Determine how far away the dog must be to hear it and come running.  A dog with good hearing may not hear your yells, but should be able to hear the chip bag from up to a quarter mile away. 

Of course, that's a joke (with some truth to it) but it is important that if you have any doubts about your dog's hearing,  have a BAER test done to establish if it really is selective hearing or true deafness.  Dogs, unlike white Boxers or Dalmations, are not often deaf.  Usually it is selective hearing at work.  However, if you do determine your dog is deaf, the dog can live a full, productive life without hearing.  Dogs depend much more on their noses than hearing to get by so with a little accommodation from you...a hearing impaired dog should be no more difficult to train than a dog with hearing.

Essentially you'll need to:

• Communicate with your dog in a way that works for you both.
• Do not feel sorry for him, and in doing so, allow him to get away with things.  Dogs adapt to hearing and sight disabilities quite well and appreciate knowing the rules.
• Give warning that you are nearby.
• Approach so that vibration or sight will warn him so he doesn't startle.
• Be gentle and patient, he may not understand what you want the first time.
• Use praise, positive reinforcement and LOTS of touch and gestures.
• Like any dog, allow him to approach strangers first - don't let kids descend on him without a warm up period.
• Always use a leash and tethering can help him learn the rules and feel safe in his home.
• Massage is even more meaningful to a deaf dog - it can be just as soothing and comforting as the words "good boy".
• A fenced yard is essential for any dog, but especially a dog that can't hear dangers.
• A deaf dog needs just as much attention, love and training as a hearing dog.

The key to success is a positive attitude, unconditional love, understanding that your dog really wants to please you, and tons of praise and rewarding good behavior. 

There are several breeds that are more prone to congenital deafness, yet, any dog can become deaf in old age or from recurring ear infections. Most cases with young dogs are associated with white-pigmented dogs.  The following dogs are more likely to have deafness problems at birth:

Akita	Dalmatian	Old English Sheepdog
American Bulldog	Dappled Dachshund	Papillon
American-Canadian Shepherd	Doberman Pinscher	Perro de Carea Leonés
American Eskimo	Dogo Argentino	Pit Bull Terrier
American Hairless Terrier	English Bulldog	Pointer/English Pointer
American Staffordshire Terrier	English Cocker Spaniel	Presa Canario
Anatolian Shepherd	English Setter	Puli
Australian Cattle Dog	Foxhound	Rhodesian Ridgeback
Australian Shepherd	Fox Terrier	Rat Terrier
Beagle	French Bulldog	Rottweiler
Belgian Sheepdog/Groenendael	German Shepherd	Saint Bernard
Belgian Tervuren	German Shorthaired Pointer	Samoyed
Bichon Frise	Great Dane	Schnauzer
Border Collie	Great Pyrenees	Scottish Terrier
Borzoi	Greyhound	Sealyham Terrier
Boston Terrier	Havanese	Shetland Sheepdog
Boxer	Ibizan Hound	Shih Tzû
Brittney Spaniel	Icelandic Sheepdog	Shropshire Terrier
Bulldog	Italian Greyhound	Siberian Husky
Bull Terrier	Jack/Parson Russell Terrier	Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Canaan Dog	Japanese Chin	Springer Spaniel
Cardigan Welsh Corgi	Kuvasz	Sussex Spaniel
Catahoula Leopard Dog	Labrador Retriever	Tibetan Spaniel
Catalan Shepherd	Löwchen	Tibetan Terrier
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel	Maltese	Toy Fox Terrier
Chihuahua	Miniature Pinscher	Toy Poodle
Chinese Crested	Miniature Poodle	Walker American Foxhound
Chow Chow	mongrel	West Highland White Terrier
Cocker Spaniel	Newfoundland Landseer	Whippet
Collie	Norwegian Dunkerhound	Yorkshire Terrier
Coton de Tulear	Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

Deaf pets are just as intelligent as hearing pets and work hard to understand you. They also can get along well with other animals in the home-- a deaf dog does not need a hearing companion to function successfully. Deaf canines bark, meow, whinny, and make all the regular sounds hearing canines make. Teaching them sign language commands is a great way to train them! The only danger with a deaf canine is that it should never be allowed to roam freely outdoors unless it is in a securely fenced enclosure - but of course you should do that with ANY pet!