Anybody have experience with deaf dogs? I've contacted

[kas125]

my local shelter asking to adopt one that they found running loose on Christmas Eve. The person in charge of her adoption is supposed to contact me tomorrow. My dad is deaf, he lost his hearing when he was in his early 20's, before I was even born. He's now in his 80's and I'm his caretaker. When I saw that dog and learned she's deaf and needs a family who would be patient and understand her needs, I thought we'd be perfect. I'm used to a deaf old man, but I've never had to train a deaf dog. Any advice or suggestions would be very welcomed!

[kas125]

1. in case anybody wants to see her, this is the dog. I can't

wait to bring her home!

[livetohike]

2. She's beautiful!

I have no advice, but just wishing you lots of fun and many years together :-). I think I did read something that you can easily train a deaf dog to respond to hand signals. I'm sure she will fit right in and learn quickly.

[kas125]

4. Oh, thank you so much! I'm really looking forward to

working with her and learning sign language. My dad could hear as a kid and does pretty well with lip reading, he never did learn to sign. Thank you for the good wishes!!

[kas125]

8. I think she's beautiful, too! I'm so looking forward to

bringing her to a real home!

[Stinky The Clown]

7. What a gorgeous dog. The intelligence in her eyes is nearly palpable.

[kas125]

9. I think she's beautiful, too! They have her listed as a "collie"

and when I was younger I had a dog who was half collie and half shepherd. She was the smartest, best dog I've ever had and I've wanted another one since she died in 1984. When I got that one, there were two sisters to choose from. I picked the one with longer hair. This one looks just like the other sister, as soon as I saw her I knew that she is the collie/shepherd I've been looking for for so long. That she can't hear just seems like a sign that she's supposed to live with us.

[Coyote_Bandit]

3. I used to know someone with a deaf boxer

ONe of the best trained and most obedient dogs I've ever known. He responded to hand signals. Probably helped that his Mama was a dog trainer.

[kas125]

5. I've been doing a lot of reading online and I guess I'll have

to learn sign language. I've already learned the basic commands and I'm getting excited about the whole thing. I've also learned that deaf dogs do well with clicker training, only you don't use a sound clicker, you use one of those keychain flashlights instead.

[lukasahero]

6. Unfortunately, my only experience is with a hearing dog that went deaf

I think there's a difference.

I can tell you this much - because of how hard it was to work with my old Lab, Beau, who I had taught everything via voice commands, my Bella now learns everything two ways - voice and sign.

I think it's a little more difficult to teach a deaf dog because tone of voice can convey so much but if you're already used to dealing with deafness, you know you can't yell at the back of a deaf dog and expect them to come to you. ;) (Seriously, I found myself doing that...)

Facial expressions and body language become more important. I would recommend picking up a copy of "On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas - it focuses on how dogs talk to each other (obviously wordlessly) which might help you communicate better with your new charge.

She's beautiful. Thank you for considering her.

[kas125]

10. Thanks, I'll put the book on my list. Funny thing, I'm in the

middle of a book right now called something like "How to Speak Dog." I got it before I even knew about this dog, got it so I might learn something more about communicating with my other dog. I've been trying to read all I can find on the internet about living with a deaf dog and I don't think it can be too much harder than living with a deaf dad. Heck, it'll probably be easier to train her than the last seven years that I've spent trying to train him, lol.

[HillWilliam]

11. I have a good friend in NC who has two deaf dogs

Her canine assistant crossed the Bridge last year. Since then she has adopted two deaf dogs. She has worked with children with disabilities for years, so this new phase of her life as a lot of special meaning. PM me and I can get you in touch.