BREAKING THE SOUND
BARRIER:
Living
with and Training the Deaf Dog
By: Elisabeth Catalano, MA, CPDT, CDBC
When I tell people that the sweet little
white dog they have been playing with is deaf, I get the
same response, a sad, troubled look and an “Oh, that’s too
bad”. I always reply with a big grin, “It’s ok, he doesn’t
know it”! And, he DOESN’T. Never having heard anything, as
far as I know, he doesn’t know what he’s missing. His world
is perfectly normal to him. Announcement of his deafness is
often followed by astonishment, usually because he is so
friendly and well behaved. “Is it hard to train him?” My
answer is always an unqualified, “No!”
With some limitations, it is very possible to train a deaf
dog. Trainers often fail to see the potential in these dogs
– not to mention the benefit of their own skill
development. The deaf dog can increase awareness of our own
non- verbal communication. Trainers, and more importantly
humans, rely heavily on sound, but the deaf dog can force
you to be more creative. Communication for dogs has always
been far beyond sound; the deaf dog causes us to embrace
that fact. There are some advantages in working with deaf
dogs, too: no fear of loud noises, no getting distracted by
barking and no hearing the rustling of the food pouch!
Deaf dogs can and should be encouraged to attend regular
obedience classes, which use positive training/lure reward
methods, because the hand signals are largely the same.
They can and do compete in the sports of obedience, rally
and agility (with the exception of AKC events) and many are
therapy dogs
Studies on the prevalence of deafness in dogs are limited,
but it is estimated that thousands of dogs are born deaf
each year. Eighty different
breeds are affected by deafness and that number is
increasing. Additionally, dogs can and do lose their
hearing as a result of illness, infection, trauma or old
age. Unfortunately, many deaf dogs are euthanized due to
irrational myths and a lack of understanding. The Dalmatian
Club of America has an official position calling for the
euthanasia of deaf puppies. Dogs that lose their hearing
later on in their lives may have an adjustment period, but
adapt well. All deaf dogs can lead normal, happy and full
lives that differ little from their hearing counterparts.
They only require a little patience and a creative trainer,
willing to think outside the box.
The two most pervasive myths regarding deaf dogs are that
they are brain damaged or are more prone to aggression. In
the case of deaf Dalmatians, it was shown that the portion
of the brain (the auditory cortex) that deals with auditory
impulses was greatly reduced in size. George M. Strain,
PhD, however, writes in the same article: “The brain
responds to the loss of a sensory modality by various forms
of plasticity, whereby CNS structures that would have
received input from that sensory modality constrict and
adjacent structures expand to take advantage of the
available space.” According to Dr. Strain, “The findings in
the Dalmatian are undoubtedly a reflection of the same
pathology”. He further summarized that “... these animals
do not have diminished mental capacities, any more than the
average deaf or blind human has diminished mental
capacity.” (“Aetiology, prevalence and diagnosis of
deafness in dogs and cats." British Veterinary Journal
152:17-36, 1996, Baillière Tindall)
There are simply no studies quantifying the prevalence of
aggression in deaf dogs or demonstrating that aggression
has a higher incidence than is generally observed in the
canine population as a whole. There are however, numerous
anecdotes to support both sides of the argument. As
trainers, we acknowledge and accept the potential for
“aggression” in the canine population as a whole. Therefore
we can expect that deaf dogs will be no exception. It is
unrealistic to expect that we would not encounter an
aggressive deaf dog. However, claims that deaf dogs are
more likely to be aggressive are unsupported.
The chief concern expressed by those who claim a higher
incidence of aggression is that the deaf dog will startle
easily and bite. Realistically, any startled dog can bite.
While it may be easier to startle a deaf dog, good
preventative training can minimize problems. Wake the deaf
dog gently by blowing a gentle puff of air across his fur
or lightly touching him. When he wakes, smile and call him
to do something fun. Using high-value food will also make
the transition to waking more pleasant, especially for dogs
whose history is unknown. Traditional classical
conditioning/desensitization exercises for touch can take
the edge off the startle effect and even make it a welcome
event.
COUNSELING
While training a deaf dog can be challenging and rewarding,
you should be prepared to do a little work up front before
you offer your services or welcome them into an obedience
or puppy class. You will be counseling owners that have
unexpectedly found they are living with a deaf dog and have
no idea what to do.
Owners that have just discovered that the cute little puppy
that they are in love with is deaf are often disappointed
and worried. They may feel
overwhelmed by the prospect and the responsibility of
training a deaf dog. Owners whose dogs have lost or are
losing their hearing are sad and may worry about quality of
life. You may be the deaf dog owners first, only or last
resource. The information you give them will determine that
particular dogs’ outcome. It is important that you provide
them with accurate, effective information and lots of hope.
I remember how I felt the first time I realized that I
would never see my puppy “light up” when I called his name.
It is something that I had always enjoyed, but had taken
for granted with my other dogs. Knowing I would never have
that made me sad. One day, not long after Nevar joined us,
I found him playing with the other dogs. I waved my arms
high over my head to catch his attention, and there it was!
The bright look, the perked ears!
No hearing, but pure joy just the same. That is how it is
with the deaf dog, the same, but different.
THINGS TO CONSIDER
Owning a deaf dog is not to be taken lightly. There are
serious training and safety considerations that make it a
huge commitment of time, energy and patience. While some
breeds come equipped with traits that make them easy to
work with, other breeds possess traits that make them more
independent and aloof. Deafness in these dogs can
exacerbate training problems.
Many ordinary scenarios can pose a risk to the deaf dog.
Enter my backyard on any given day when the dogs are out
and I promise, they will know you are there long before you
reach the gate. The deaf dog however, may be unaware of a
visitor’s arrival and be overlooked. Gates may be left open
simply because no one knew the dog was even there. Signs
advising visitors that “a deaf dog is in residence” and to
“close all gates”, are a must. Spring- closed gates, should
also be used if possible.
Initially, the responsibility of keeping my puppy safe was
overwhelming. If a eash came undone, or a car came too
close, there was no way to call him out of harm’s way. What
if my attention was diverted? He could not hear approaching
danger and react. Having a deaf dog means being diligently
aware of what is going on around you and being prepared for
possible dangers.
Supervision plays a key role in any early training, but it
is particularly demanding with the deaf dog. You must be
close to get his attention. Eh-eh won’t work! You will have
to go to him in order to redirect him to something else.
After getting my pups attention, I used a wag of my finger,
a traditional “no-no” sign when I stopped the behavior and
then moved him on to something else.
The need for early socialization cannot be overemphasized,
especially for the deaf puppy. Initial interactions with
other dogs must be supervised because growls, yelps and
other auditory warnings cannot be heard. Well- socialized
and patient adult dogs can teach puppies to recognize the
subtle visual cues (lip lift, hard stare, freezing) that
occur prior to a correction. This experience will lay a
good foundation for canine relationships later on.
TRAINING
Being an avid clicker trainer, I worried (needlessly as it
turned out) about not being able to use my favorite
training tool. Thankfully, markers come in all shapes and
sizes. I chose a “thumbs up” sign as a marker. For more
rapid training, when a hand signal was too slow or
cumbersome, I used a small “squeeze” flashlight on a key
chain. Some sources suggest the use of lasers as markers.
Due to the potential for retinal damage when looking
directly at a laser, they are not recommended.
It is important to be thorough when establishing a
secondary reinforcer or conditioned stimulus. Unlike the
clicker, which is a distinct sound that is easily noticed,
the dog needs to have a visual marker in his peripheral
sight to detect it.
Teaching attention and rewarding check-ins is a
pre-requisite for training. There are several ways to
establish attention early on. A light tap-tap on the
shoulder or flank should prompt the dog to turn; the
behavior can then be marked and rewarded. A tap-tap is
preferred over a single touch because it is more
intentional and won’t be confused with an unintentional
passing bump. This attention exercise serves a dual purpose
– touch is good! At a distance, floor stomping, arm waving
or a shake of the leash will also work.
NON-VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Be creative but practical when using visual cues and hand
signals. Signs that can be made with one hand are faster
and require less effort. Slightly exaggerated signals
should be used for clarity and so that they are obvious in
the peripheral vision. Signals that use movement are easily
distinguished. Of course, as training advances, the signals
may be faded to a more refined system of communication.
Because I planned to do agility, I taught Nevar hand
targeting early in his training. I found it to be an
indispensable way of communicating, whether it was moving
him to a desired location or directing his attention to an
approaching visitor.
Teaching bite inhibition to puppies can be a bit tricky
since a yelp from another puppy or an “ouch!” from a human
will do no good. I allowed Nevar to mouth me initially, but
when the biting became uncomfortable I would abruptly
withdraw all interaction and walk away. Consistency is the
key for bite inhibition as well as all unwanted behavior!
All the same training rules that apply to hearing dogs
apply to the deaf dog as well.
REMOTE COMMUNICATION
For working with the deaf dog at a distance, the best, and
probably most elusive, training tool is a vibrating collar
(V-collar). The collar vibrates when the handler presses
the button on a remote. Traditionally used as a warning for
the shock collar, the vibration offers a unique paging
system that lets your dog know you are trying to get his
attention.
It can be difficult to find a collar that has a vibration
strong enough to catch the attention of a distracted dog
and cover a practical working range. There are a few
electronic shock collars available that offer a vibrating
feature and cover 1⁄2 mile radius or more. Deactivating the
shock to avoid accidents or mistakes is easy enough. Remove
the contacts and expose the screws. The screws can then be
covered with the rubber tips used for prong collars.
There are some limitations to the equipment though. Because
of the size of the unit and the need to have it on tightly,
it is not practical or comfortable to have it on for long
periods. Smaller and lighter units, to accommodate smaller
dogs, can be made using common items. Furry dogs may find
it more difficult to detect the vibration and if more than
one handler is present, the dog may become confused as to
who is “paging” him.
Some resources suggest using the V-collar as a marker, but
I selected it for attention at a distance. I purchased a
strong unit that would reach a 1⁄2-mile radius. I began
Nevar’s training by creating a very strong conditioned
emotional response (CER) to the vibration. I paired the
stimulation with fresh liver and steak that I had cooked
with garlic. After a few training sessions, Nevar’s ear
would flick every time I pressed the button. Shortly after,
his eyes began to drift toward my food pouch whenever I
paged him!
I immediately began “calling” him (via page), when he
wasn’t looking and then gradually added mild distractions.
We rapidly progressed to outdoor work and then eventually
to out-of-sight recalls. His happy expression and his quick
response were proof that the training worked properly.
Rule of thumb for most experts is deaf dogs should never be
allowed off- leash. I believe that depends on the
individual dog and the quality of
training. There are many hearing dogs that never make it to
off-leash status simply because they are unreliable. Again,
deaf dogs are no different.
CONCLUSION
Recently I found the following quote, which has become one
of my favorites: “For perhaps, if the truth were known, we
are all a little blind, a little deaf, a little
handicapped, a little lonely, a little less than perfect.
And if we can learn to appreciate and utilize the dog’s
full potential, we will, together, make it in this life on
earth.” Author unknown.
Working with a deaf dog will stretch your skills as a
trainer and test your flexibility and creativity. There is
a unique bond to be enjoyed with these gentle creatures
that wait to share their quiet world. Don’t be afraid to
move beyond the familiar, you will all be better because of
it.
RESOURCES
Deaf Dog Education Action Fund (www.deafdogs.org)
Deaf Puppies, Deaf Dogs
(www.critterchat.net/deafpuppies1.htm)
Deafness in Cats and Dogs (www.lsu.edu/deafness/deaf.htm)
REFERENCES
“Aetiology, prevalence and diagnosis of deafness in dogs
and cats." British Veterinary Journal 152:17-36, 1996,
Baillière Tindall
“Deafness prevalence and pigmentation and gender
associations in dog breeds at risk”, The Veterinary Journal
167 (2004) 23-32, George M. Strain
“Handbook of Applied Dog Behavior and Training, Volume I”,
Steven R. Lindsay
"Living with a Deaf Dog" by Susan Cope Becker