| It wasn't all the long ago that disabled dogs; deaf, blind, | | | | requirement. People talk, dogs don't. Though we all |
| crippled, were routinely put down because it was | | | | know this, we tend to forget the full implications of this |
| thought they were too much trouble and they weren't | | | | statement. We place importance on our tone of voice |
| worth the extra work because they would never lead | | | | and the words we use when speaking to our dogs. |
| fulfilling or useful lives anyway. Thankfully times have | | | | We seldom realize the additional messages |
| changed and now there are many people; rescues | | | | communicated by our bodies, and the way those |
| and dedicated organizations, that specifically work with | | | | messages are interpreted by our dogs. |
| and care for 'special needs' dogs. | | | | Dogs do not rely heavily on the spoken word. They |
| Deaf dogs are just like any other dog, just as smart, | | | | use their bodies to communicate intent, dominance, |
| just a playful, just as loving and giving and loyal. The | | | | submission, and a wide variety of emotions. True, they |
| only difference is that they lack hearing. This does not | | | | may growl, bark or whine, but these are an additional, |
| make them deficient, it just means that you need to | | | | or secondary, means of communication. A dog may |
| learn to communicate with them differently. | | | | bark while playing, or while chasing a cat over the |
| Dogs are notoriously more attuned to learning by visual | | | | fence. His body languages, and subsequent actions, |
| signals then voice commands anyways and in a deaf | | | | are needed to interpret the true meaning of his bark. |
| dog this ability is even more attuned. Think of your dog, | | | | Our dogs are always "reading" us, and place a higher |
| think of how he or she reacts to your actions. A dog | | | | value on our body language than the words we speak. |
| will often cower at a raised hand if it has been hit | | | | (DeafDogs.org) |
| before. A dog that has been raised around smiles will | | | | Dog dogs are now in homes everywhere, not just |
| actually become more animated when he or she sees | | | | 'special' homes where people are specifically trained to |
| you smiling. This I know from my own experience as I | | | | deal with deaf dogs. A deaf dog can fare just as well |
| have a 'smiling dog' who reacts to my smiles by | | | | in any home that any other dog can as long as its |
| returning the gesture. | | | | people take a little extra time to learn its language. We |
| Sure, a dog will respond to verbal commands but | | | | always expect our pets to learn our language, why |
| when coupled with hand gestures they are much | | | | can't we love them enough to learn theirs? |
| more efficient. Many professional trainers employ hand | | | | If you have a deaf dog, are considering adding one to |
| signals over voice commands. I know that I use the | | | | your family and have questions, there are resources |
| combination; for 'site' I use the word and point down. | | | | that you can turn to. Here are just a few website |
| Now all I have to do is point and it works just as | | | | dedicated to deaf dogs and animals. |
| effectively. | | | | - Deaf Dogs Organization - this wonderful website |
| With a deaf dog you just need to learn to use | | | | provides FAQs, shatters many deaf dog myths and |
| non-verbal signals. The extra training in more on the | | | | provides resources and much more. A definite must! |
| human's part then the dog's. They get it! You just need | | | | - D2Care - Deaf Dog Connections, Advocacy, |
| to learn it! | | | | Resources & Education, Inc. (D2Care) is a |
| Dogs are postural creatures, tuned into the world of | | | | membership-based organization, dedicated to |
| body language. In training any dog, visual signals are | | | | promoting the health, welfare, and quality of life for |
| more effective than voice commands. A voice | | | | deaf dogs through outreach, advocacy, education and |
| command is an additional aid, not a mandatory | | | | support. |