Deaf dogs can learn the same skills as dogs with normal hearing. Deafness does not change the dog’s ability to learn, but it does change how they receive information. Instead of listening for cues, deaf dogs learn by using their vision, their sense of smell, and their sense of touch.
Dogs naturally use a complex system of visual cues, their body language, to communicate with other dogs and humans, and they are astute observers of human body language. In fact, many dogs with normal hearing respond more reliably to hand signals than to verbal cues.
A cue is a label assigned to a behavior that a dog has been taught to do. For dogs trained using positive reinforcement, the cue predicts that a reward will be delivered once the dog performs the behavior.
For example, when a dog sits promptly after receiving the “sit" cue, they will receive a reward. Cues for hearing dogs are usually words and/or hand signals. For deaf dogs, cues may be visual (hand signals), tactile (touch or vibration), or olfactory (scent-based).
There is no right or wrong set of cues or signals to teach your dog. Consider what you would like the dog to be able to do on cue. You will need a clear, discrete signal for each desired behavior.
"You will need a clear, discrete signal for each desired behavior."
Some of the common behaviors put on cue include sit, lie down, stay, go to bed, and come. Almost any behavior can be put on cue - the only limits are the dog’s physical coordination and strength and the skills of the person doing the training!
Here are some tips:
When you reward your dog for doing a behavior, your dog will be motivated to repeat the behavior in the future. That is how learning occurs when you use positive reinforcement.
The first step is to choose a reward. Reward-based training is effective only if your dog loves the reward.
Food is a powerful motivator, but it is not the only reward available. Some dogs prefer to be rewarded with a toy. Your dog should eagerly offer behaviors to try to gain access to the reward.
Once you have found a reward your dog likes, start training! Each time your dog performs a desired behavior, deliver a treat or reward right away.
Sometimes, it’s not practical or possible to immediately give the reward while the dog is doing the behavior. For this reason, it’s helpful use a visual marker signal such as a “thumbs up” to precisely mark the behavior as “nicely done”. The marker signal lets your dog know that a treat is on the way. A marker signal for hearing dogs is the “click” from a clicker training tool.
Your dog won’t know that “thumbs up” predicts a treat until you create this positive association through training. You will need to pair the “thumbs up” signal with the delivery of a reward:
Create a list of skills that you would like to teach. For each behavior, create a signal that you will use. Write the signals down and share with all your dog’s trainers and caregivers.
You can purchase a vibration collar designed for training dogs that cannot hear. A vibration collar can be used as a recall cue: you can train your dog to come back when she feels a vibration. Use caution when considering any kind of wearable electronic device. Many dogs find the vibration to be aversive and can become frightened. It is almost always safer and more humane to keep deaf dogs safely fenced or leashed with a long line.
Dogs can learn new skills at any age. Learning may be a little easier during youth, but even dogs who lose their hearing due to aging can learn new signs and signals, if needed. Many dogs become deaf in old age, so it may be helpful to teach your dog how to respond to both visual and verbal cues. Then, if a dog loses their hearing later in life, they can still understand the signals as originally taught.