How to Care for a Deaf Puppy

Bringing home a deaf puppy does not mean that you̵7;ve been cheated out of having a loyal, loving pet. As the dog̵7;s owner, it is your responsibility to train and care for a dog with hearing disabilities. You may have a few more challenges than the owner of a "hearing" pup, but it can be rewarding as you build your relationship with the puppy. In particular, training and socializing the puppy helps him adapt to the world, and safety is a major concern, especially outdoors where he cannot hear a car coming.

Instructions

  1. Training

    • 1

      Keep the puppy on a leash during early training stages, and get her attention by gently tugging on the leash.

    • 2

      Learn sign language for basic dog training commands, such as "Sit," "Lay down," "Good girl" and "Treat."

    • 3

      Hold a treat in the palm of your right hand, in front of the puppy's face. Pull your hand up slowly̵2;no higher than the dog's head̵2;and say "Sit." Make a hand signal with your right hand to "Sit" and press on your puppy's behind until he's sitting. Omit pressing once he learns to respond to the hand motion.

    • 4

      Extend your arm, with the palm facing down, and motion for the dog to "Lay down." Move your hand down slowly so the puppy can follow your motions.

    • 5

      Clap your hands together and say "Good boy" or "Good girl" when the puppy obeys.

    • 6

      Form a "C" sign with your hand for "Cookie" or "Treat," rewarding her as soon as she shows a response to hand commands.

    Calling

    • 7

      Place your puppy on a leash. Tug gently at the leash to get the dog's attention, then follow up with a hand command. Reward him with a treat when a command is successfully executed.

    • 8

      Stomp your foot as hard as you can on the floor to get your puppy's attention using floor vibrations. As soon as he looks up, follow with a hand signal or command.

    • 9

      Shine a flashlight toward the dog̵2;not directly in her eyes̵2;to get her attention. Follow with a hand signal as soon as she looks up.

    • 10

      Train her to come when "called" using one of the methods to get the puppy's attention. Motion with the palm of your hand for the dog to come to you. Say "come," even if she cannot hear you, as this will get accustom her to look at your face for command expressions.

    Socializing

    • 11

      Create a "safe spot" for the puppy when at home. Gate an area off and place a pet bed in it. Have toys and familiar objects inside the gated area for him to safely play with.

    • 12

      Allow people to touch your dog. Ask them to hold their hands in front of the puppy's face, and let him smell their scent or lick their hands as a sign of acceptance.

    • 13

      Have people stand in front of the dog, so that he can always see them, and ask them to gently rub his back.

    • 14

      Let him play with other dogs that are the same size. Puppy play, wrestling and nipping is safe and is good for socialization. Place the dogs in a secure area, fenced or gated inside the home, for a "play date."

    Safety

    • 15

      Walk your dog on a leash at all times when outside the house.

    • 16

      Place the puppy in a leash harness̵2;placed around her front legs and the top part of her body̵2;when taking walks in the park. Use the harness to teach the puppy to not pull or choke while walking.

    • 17

      Let your puppy go to the bathroom in a fenced in yard at home. Use baby gates to sequester off stairs and rooms where she should not be going inside the house.

    • 18

      Buy an electronic shock collar with a remote control. Train the puppy to respond to light stimulation as behavior correction and training.

    • 19

      Use the remote controlled collar when outdoors, even if the puppy is on a leash, to get her attention when needed. This can also serve as backup, when shining a light or stomping does not work outdoors and the puppy is unaware of an approaching car.