Deaf White Boxer first time around!

[BoxerBombs]

I have a deaf white Boxer at home. He's great. He's a year old. Does anyone have ANY tips on how to handle things?

I've been all over the internet and there are only a FEW sites out there. I am ordering a book called, "Living With the Deaf Dog" from Amazon.com.

I have to teach him basic hand signals, I am using:

"hang loose hawaii" = good boy

cupping my hand and pulling my fingers back and forth = come

A pull motion = sit

BIG OFF = moving arm up and down

watch me - pointing with two fingers to my eyes

No-No - wagging my finger back and forth for minor offenses

And I just taught him a "lay" swinging arm down

He knows some of these and is learning more. How do I get him to stop chasing the cats. He doesn't want to "kill them" just chase and corner them.

I'm scared to wake him up.

Can I bring him to an enclosed dog park?

He is not the only dog, I have another Boxer.

He's very very sweet, when I socialize him with other people, do I have to ask them to sign "good boy" to him?

This is all new and I'm very scared!!!

 

[Sandi]

Grats on your new "deafie".. As an interpreter for the deaf and 2 wonderful deaf parents, I would suggest using ASL as opposed to some other signs. ASL ( American Sign Language ) is very easy to learn and signs for sit, stay, come, good etc are single motion movements and fluid movements.

Link to a site I find very helpful and user friendly

http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm

Just choose your word and click.. easy as that..

Virtual sign shows you exactly how to complete it.

Good Luck in your training, its very rewarding.


I only suggest ASL, in the event you and your furbaby encounter another "deafie" they can also talk to your boy!

 

[Claudia807]

Originally posted by BoxerBombs
This is all new and I'm very scared!!!

Don't worry, you'll be fine! You mentioned that you had ordered the book Living With a Deaf Dog . I think you will find it VERY helpful.

My biggest piece of advice to you is to get to an obedience class right away. There are already basic hand signals in place for so many things - come, sit, down, etc. That gives you a good basis to start. I think that might be better than making up hand signals because if you use the standard ones, other people will know them, too. I would start with those and then improvise the others, the way you have been. I have fostered quite a few deaf dogs, so that's how I start. Just be sure to be consistent. And remember, if you have a hearing dog, you wouldn't expect him/her to learn a zillion different commands at once. So don't get too carried away with wanting him to learn everything at once.

There are two schools of thought on the "waking a deaf dog" issue. Either you allow the dog to be startled repeatedly so that he gets used to it, or you try your best not to startle him. If I had young children, I might be more concerned about the dog being startled. I don't have children, so I've always tried to wake the deaf dogs up slowly and easily.

I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't be able to take him to an enclosed dog park. Heck, most of the people with HEARING dogs can't get their dogs to come to them when it's time to go. There is a vibrating collar on the market that you might want to check out. I believe there is information about the collar on the Deaf Dogs site: Deaf Dogs

Just thought of something else . . . it is OKAY to talk to your deaf dog! If you speak to him in a "happy" manner, your facial expressions will reflect that and he will understand. Likewise, if you need to use the "no" hand signal, you'll want to pull out your "disappointed face" to accompany it. When he meets new people, just tell them to say hello and look happy about it! He'll understand.

Best of luck to you!!!!