Very new owner with a few training questions about a "special" dog

[Riggz]

My wife and I just became new owners over the weekend. You can read all about it in my post in the Boxer Ring entitled Finally!!.

Anyways, we have two boxer pups, 8 weeks old, and one of them is deaf. How hard... er rather I say, how challenging is the training, both potty and behavioral, for a dog that cannot hear? I mean, I've done a lot of reading the past couple of days, both here and through a couple of magazines that I picked up from PetSmart and they say to give lots of praises. How do I do that if she cannot hear me?


thanks,
Riggz and Bella(loving white boxer pup)

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

My wife and I just became new owners over the weekend. You can read all about it in my post in the Boxer Ring entitled Finally!!.

Anyways, we have two boxer pups, 8 weeks old, and one of them is deaf. How hard... er rather I say, how challenging is the training, both potty and behavioral, for a dog that cannot hear? I mean, I've done a lot of reading the past couple of days, both here and through a couple of magazines that I picked up from PetSmart and they say to give lots of praises. How do I do that if she cannot hear me?


thanks,
Riggz and Bella(loving white boxer pup)

Hand signals along with lots of pets and/or treats. You'll want to start choosing hand signals for things instead of words. My dogs did not know "sit" when I taught them or "go potty" when I taught them. No dogs know words until you teach them, so instead of teacher your deaf dog words you will teach with hand signals instead. Personally I trained with both just in case later in life (due to an accident old age, etc) my dog lost his hearing. Plus it's nice that if he's across the room I can still get his attention or outside the sliding glass door, etc.

Really nothing will change for you except instead of praising in a high pitched squealing voice you will simply have to eliminate that and praise solely with pets/affection and/or treats. For training you will simply train with hand signals rather than words.

I'd also recommend that you get into a class or speak with a trainer that has experience with a deaf dog. You could probably also get some tips, resources, and assistance through your local Boxer rescue as well if you have one.

Good luck.

 

[Riggz]

well, they are both still young, but I hope to start some of their early training in the next couple of weeks. Was just wondering what kind of obstacles I would be in for when I do start.

Couple of other questions real quick,
1) Should I train them together, meaning teaching Alice the words and signals at the same time I teach Bella the signal?
2) If I do teach them together, how difficult will that be, as far as distractions go, since Bella is unable to hear me if she gets distracted?

Thus far, their potty training is going pretty well. They have only had one accident each in the house. They are pretty good about going potty outside and I give them lots of praise when I take them out, i'm just still having difficulty on how to relate the "good girl, potty outside" to Bella. For the moment I just pet/scratch and speak to her, even though she doesn't understand me.

 

[LauraLou]

I have a deaf 8 week old male. I brought him home at 6 weeks, and pottying was great. The past few days have been tougher though. He used to cry when he had to go, but doesn't anymore! So I've been bringing him out every half hour. When he does go, I pat him and clap! I also give him a treat.
He already knows "sit". I hold a cookie in my hand and hold it up in the air while pointing "down". He sits immediately!
He's also catching on to "lay down". I hold the cookie in my hand and tap it on the ground. It's not as immediate as the sitting, but we're getting there!
As far as training the two together, I would probably do it separately while they're young. I would imagine they distract each other. My 5 year old is well trained and she does a great job leading by example. He watches her do the same sitting and laying commans...it's amazing.
It's really funny because she's used to giving "paw", so when she sits she automatically gives it to me! The little one just isn't ready to learn it though!