How can you train a dog that is blind and deaf?

co101jo
#1. July 24th, 2008, at 9:00 PM.

have a professional do it for you

lorikae99
#2. July 27th, 2008, at 7:18 AM.

First off, one of my dogs is completely deaf and partially blind. We actually had a surprisingly easy time training him! The way we did it was (we have another dog as well, and this will sometimes help if you have another dog or a friend with a dog and the two get along) to get the dogs in the same room together. We would tell our hearing dog to sit while at the same time tapping the deaf dog once on the rear and creating a hand-command for “sit” (since he could partially see). We would just keep doing this until he sat and the INSTANT that he sits, give him a treat and TONS of praise. For lay down, we would tap once on the shoulder, and give a different command with our hand. Within a week of dilligent, repetative work, we had him sitting, laying, rolling over, staying, coming to us (stamp on the floor to get his attention) and even shaking.

We’ve had him for three years now and everyday he amazes me. He really is the best-behaved dog I’ve ever had! He walks right out our side, off-leash (he’s not distracted by external stiumli) and he makes us laugh with his curiosity and the way he so easily adapts to situations. He doesn’t even seem to realize that he is “special needs.”

I really hope that you do adopt him, but realize that this takes time and a heck of a lot of patience but the reward is indescribable. If you ever want to chat about this or want more suggestions/experiences, feel free to email me (lorikae99@yahoo).

All the best…

Nancy Kay
#3. July 30th, 2008, at 9:15 AM.

Well, that will be a challenge. I adopted an adult blind dog, but he has his hearing (now listening, that’s another matter…)

Things to consider, most of which are necessary due to the hearing impairment, not blindness (which really affects them very little):

1) INDOOR life only — not safe outdoors unsupervised
2) NO OFF-LEASH parks or other off-leash situations
3) TOUCH COMMANDS (and touch rewards) for virtually
everything
4) VIBRATION CUES (hardwood or vinyl floors help…stomp
on floor to get dog’s attention)
5) CRATE when you are not around, ever after housetrained
6) ENCLOSED playpen when you are home

And remember, smell (like going after every bit of food on the planet and not being able to hear you say NO) and sensitivity to vibration and touch will be heightened to compensate for the other missing senses.

Bless you for considering a special needs animal…and good luck if you decide to go forward with it.

Sheido
#4. July 30th, 2008, at 5:14 PM.

Other bright people have answered you beautifully!
I just wanted to add…good on you!! this pup will repay you with much loving for the rest of his days!!!!

cashflow_2000
#5. August 2nd, 2008, at 11:02 PM.

I’m going to say something you don’t want to hear, but although training can be accomplished it is difficult.
The dog will never be a guard dog. I would have a vet look at the dog and see if there is something congenital causing those problems.
It’s a puppy now but what about in few years? It has one major sense left, what about when that goes? By then you’re going to be attached to it!
I would seriously think about putting it down. But talk to your vet; see what they have to say, even though you don’t have the dog yet, most vets won’t even charge you for that.

trsdan5
#6. August 5th, 2008, at 6:32 AM.

ask a vet or ask were u are adopting at

kaylamay64
#7. August 7th, 2008, at 2:48 PM.

I DONT KNOW YOU BUT I LOVE YOU. WHAT A WONDERFUL GIVING PERSON YOU ARE! THAT’S A TOUGHY QUESTION. I WOULD SEEK HELP FROM A PREFESSIONAL TRAINER. IF COST IS AN ISSUE TRY SURFING THE WEB AND ALSO LOOKING FOR BOOKS ON CARING FOR HANDICAPED ANIMALS.I FOUND A WEBSITE CALLED THUNDER TRAINING A BLIND DEAF DOG.
HOTMAIL.COM/DACHSIE_MOM/
THUNDER/
SORRY HAD TO SPLIT ADDRESS TO 3 LINES TO GET IT TO FIT.
I CANT IMAGINE THE LIFE THAT PUP YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT ADOPTING WOULD HAVE WITHOUT A SWEETHEART LIKE YOU TO SAVE HIM. I HOPE YOU GO THROUGH WITH IT. THE REWARDS AND LOVE THAT PUP WILL GIVE YOU WILL BE SO WORTH YOUR EFFORTS. THE WORLD NEEDS MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

Amber
#8. August 8th, 2008, at 9:42 AM.

Wow, good for you!! I wish you the best of luck!

gigi70554
#9. August 11th, 2008, at 8:27 AM.

wow, what a challenge..i hope you have the time and patience that it is going to take..you are very special, but please dont get caught up in the moment and adopt it just because you feel sorry for the animal. Think about it and make sure you want to spend all your time devoting it to this animal.. Im not trying to discourage you at all, i just want you to be sure that you are up to this..the animal could live for years. once you take it, it is yours for life..it wouldnt be fair to the dog to give it away..it will have ALL of its trust in you. Also think about the dogs quality of life. God bless you for your compassion and love for animals. Please let us know how it goes.