Service Dogs for the Deaf

Dogs can be trained to aid their human owners with a number of tasks, and service dogs for the deaf are no exception. Dogs that are trained to work with the deaf are typically known as hearing dogs and, throughout the day, they perform a wide variety of services for their masters.

  1. Function

    • A hearing dog's primary responsibility is alerting its owner to sounds that require their attention or may signal danger. For instance, a hearing dog can alert their masters to doorbells, baby cries, stove timers or smoke alarms. When they are out in public, hearing dogs can also let their owners know that someone is calling their name or that an emergency vehicle is sounding a siren.

    Time Frame

    • Most dogs begin their training to become hearing dogs between the ages of 12 and 15 months. After a dog has mastered basic commands, it will be taken to a center specifically for hearing dogs and trained for an additional three to six months.

    Training

    • A hearing dog's training starts with basic commands such as heel, sit and stay, and he needs to be well-versed in basic obedience. From there, he will learn more than 100 commands that will help him understand when he needs to alert his owner to a particular sound.

    Socialization

    • Beyond the dog's function as an aid to a deaf person, the dog must also be well socialized. He will be a member of his owner's household, and needs to be a well-trained house pet. Similarly, he needs to be prepared to act appropriately in public spaces.

    Breeds

    • Many hearing dogs are mixed breeds that have been adopted from the shelter, but there are also specific breeds that have been known to excel as service dogs for the deaf. According to the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, shelties, springer spaniels, Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, poodles and Welsh corgis are commonly used for this purpose. Mixed breeds with collie, terrier or spaniel ancestry are also found in this field. Newer breeds such as Samoyeds, smooth coated collies and rough coated collies are also becoming popular.