How do you punish a deaf dog? A Complete Guide

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You might think a deaf dog is extra challenging to train and own. Although they require a shift in technique, they aren’t much more of a commitment than any other dog. You need to teach them basic obedience, just as you would with a dog who can hear, and with a few other lessons like focus and startle resistance, your deaf dog can understand and obey you with ease. Whether your dog was born deaf or lost hearing with age or an ailment, read on to learn how to train a deaf dog.

Because your deaf dog can’t hear your voice, you must rely on visual cues like hand signals or other body language to communicate. But your dog can’t see your signals if they aren’t looking at you. So, the first step in training a deaf dog is teaching them to focus on you. Start by rewarding your dog with a treat or game anytime they voluntarily look at you. This will reinforce the behavior and your dog will learn that paying attention to you is worth their while. In addition, games like hide-and-seek encourage your dog to check in with you.

It’s also valuable to teach your dog a signal that means look at me. You can’t speak their name or use a verbal cue like “Watch Me,” but you can use anything your dog can sense like a gentle touch or a flash of light. Simply pair the signal with a reward. When your dog is looking at you, give the signal then feed a treat. Next wait until your dog is looking away before you give the signal and offer the treat. In time, your dog will turn to you as soon as they experience the signal. Now you have a way of asking for attention when your dog is preoccupied.

There are many options for an attention signal. The following list will give you some ideas:

Gentle touch. Always touch your dog in the same place such as the shoulder or top of the rear end. Keep your touch gentle so you don’t startle your dog.

Light signals. Your dog can see the wink of a flashlight out of the corner of their eye, but a flashlight works best at night such as when your dog is out in the yard.

Laser pointer. This will show in daylight, but avoid flashing it in your dog’s eyes and beware that some dogs can become compulsive about chasing the light.

Vibrations. Stomp on the floor or pound the floor with your fist.

Vibrating collar. Do NOT use a shock collar or the shock setting on a multi-purpose collar. The point is not to punish your dog, but simply to communicate. Also, some dogs are sensitive to vibration and find it aversive. If vibrations stress your dog, choose another signal.

A deaf dog will tune into your energies

Dogs are highly sensitive to the energies of their owner, both when you’re down and when you’re upbeat and happy. They can sense when you’re angry with them and when you’re pleased.

Your deaf dog is no different and if anything, they rely more on their senses to pick up your energy when you’re punishing or scolding them.

One of the best ways you can express your energy is through talking to your dog. Now, just because your deaf dog can’t hear, it doesn’t mean you can’t talk to them anymore. Carry on as normal and talk as you normally would with a hearing dog.

Your talking will help your deaf dog to gauge your energies, so help him along and keep chatting.

A person with a deaf dog has a unique opportunity to communicate with their dog as the animal they are. Dogs communicate through energy and body language. I’ve said many times that you don’t get the dog you want, you get the dog you need. I’ve seen it time and time again that the dog a person chooses comes into their life and teaches them the lessons they need most.

Balanced dogs experience the world through their nose, eyes, then ears. But as humans, we often rely on sound while training our dogs. So what if your dog is deaf?

Dogs experience the world through their nose first, then eyes, then ears. We are accustomed as humans to relate through sound (ears), sight (eyes), and then scent (nose). When we bring a new dog home, we immediately give him a name. Oftentimes people choose a name based on the dog’s “personality” and then the wrong way of communicating and relating to your dog begins from day one.

It will require time and patience and consistency. But to me, it is a wonderful opportunity. I rarely ever use words with dogs. I use the sound “tsch!” but that’s usually it. I use hand signals, energy, and most importantly body language to communicate that I want the dog to sit, lay down, back up, come. Sometimes I don’t even need to make a signal because I set the intention in my head of what I want and the dog responds. They feel the energy. Of course this doesn’t happen right away or easily, but with practice, you can achieve it. It can only be effective, however, if you are calm and assertive, in tune to your own emotions, confident in your ability, and trust; and your dog will reward you not only with his trust, but respect and loyalty too.

So what are the lessons a deaf dog can teach? So many humans are out of touch with Mother Nature. They’ve lost patience. They’re disconnected from their lives. They are not mindfully aware and emotionally in tune. With a deaf dog, it is critical that you be present, feel the energy, read signals, and be in tune to yourself and the environment around you, just as you are asking your dog to do. You will need to bond with your dog in a way that he trusts you as his leader; a leader whose job is to provide him with protection and direction. So if you are going to cross the street, he looks to you to keep him safe. If you are turning the corner, he looks to you to show him which way to go.

S1 – E3: What you NEED to know about DEAF DOGS – How to Train a Hearing Impaired dog!