by RescueLover » 08 February 2010, 8:43 AM
I crossposted this and asked people to email her, but someone replied in the thread with the following:
"I used to get a lot of questions on how I lived with and trained a blind & deaf dog. So I ended up jotting down these notes that had worked for me. These are things that I had actually used with Zephyr(they were written as I was thinking, so I apologise for the choppiness of them). The only difference was that Zephyr was an Aussie, but the training methods would probably still work with any deaf & blind dog. Feel free to pass along as needed.
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living with a deaf/blind dog
training-
-decide on what your touch signals will be first
-squirt bottle for "no"
-umbilical method works great inside & for housetraining
-lure training works wonderfully with blind/deaf dogs since their noses work great
-try blowing for recall, it does work but start from short distances and gradually increase.
-harness or type of headhalter works better than a normal collar for when they are onleash and to help adjust them to your schedual
-don't forget to talk to them AND use your touch signals, otherwise you throw off odd "vibes"
-covering the crate at bed time helps them settle sooner, less light/dark flashes and scents distracting them
Some basic things to have touch signals for-
-good
-yes/perfect(like a clicker touch signal)
-no
-stop/cut
-play
-sit
-down
-stay
-step up/down
calming methods and toys-
-massage/rubdowns-once a day lay puppy/dog on floor or in lap and start rubbing in circles (counter clockwise) on the body and working way outward to toes
(even better is to teach a touch sign for this and it can help calm them if they get agitated or nervous)
-lavender oil diluted put drops on ears and paws(****find out proper strength to use****)
-rescue remedy
-special blanket or pad for a portable "safespot"
-filled kongs/bones
-fleece stuffies(hold scent best)
-scented tennis balls or other toys
-larger balls (like the indestructabal or the horse ones)
-larger stuffies(so they can bump into them and find them)
(zephyr's favorite was a giant stuffed jack)
-"groaner" squeaky toys, they seem to feel the sound better
navigation-
-doggles help protect eyes or there is a device out there called an angel harness
-use the same different scents in important locations in the house, ie near food and water, door to outside, stairs.. etc
-carpet runners making pathways also works
-when onleash, instill trust.. be their eyes for them by leading them around objects and not letting them crash into things
-use touch signs frequently, such as step up/down, turn around, stop... etc
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I trained Zephyr almost exactly like my hearing and deaf dogs. You need to get the behavior FIRST, then start giving a signal for it. So have her just apply the same training methods used on other dogs, except substitute the touch signals along with the verbal cues/commands. Zephyr also went to puppy kindergarten and beginners group classes. I had to find a trainer willing to allow us in, not all are open minded about deaf dogs or especially deaf/blind dogs.
Here's some ideas for touch signals that I had used, but anything you want to use is fine as long as its consistant:
sit- tap twice on hips
down- flat hand wiping down chest and nearest leg
stay- double tap on chest
stand- back of flat hand wiping upward chest to chin
good- scratch under chin(this ones a bit cheesy, I know)
yes/perfect(like a clicker touch signal)- double tap on cheek closest
no- squirt bottle or slight double tap on nose(NOT a smack, but like tapping finger on desk)
stop/cut- flat hand in front of muzzle, touching it(like shushing, since I usually used this for barking)
play- double pat/nudge on side
step up/down- double tap on front leg
turn around- long touch with one finger on side you want turned to
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Those are all the ones I can think of off the top of my head that I had used, but I'm sure there might have been others. The recall by blowing was actually not that hard to teach. Here's how I did it...
1) start off with the dog sitting in front of you
2) blow directly at the dog, and then immediately treat
3)keep repeating this until the dog "gets" that you blowing at it equals a treat(only practice in short sessions, like 2-5 minutes). It might take days, a week or so, or it might take minutes, it depends on the dog
4)gradually increase your distance from the dog, starting inside a couple steps away, then across the room, down hallways and eventually outside. Remember outside is going to be the most difficult with breezes, and mingling scents, but it can still work, you just have to blow harder! ;D
5)the dog is going to have to probably relearn this for everyone in the family, but might understand it, Zephyr understood it when some people blew at him, but not others. I'm really not sure why?
<img src="http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/greymama/jimangelcopy.jpg">
