Comments on: Training Dogs Who Are Blind AND Deaf

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 20:51:28 +0000

Hey Heather, sorry I’ve fallen behind on responding to blog comments. When you say your blind dog is food aggressive, can you tell me what that looks like? Does she growl when people or other animals go near her food bowl? Even dogs that guard food do not engage in the behavior when taking treats from a person’s hand. Feel free to post back with additional details.

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 23:56:10 +0000

I’m so glad that you found my article useful Diane. I hope you’ll write back about your experience working with this dog. Facing different dogs with different issues, often we get creative. I know you’ll come up with ideas we can all learn from.

By: Diane Herstine CPDT

Diane Herstine CPDT — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:27:50 +0000

Thanks you for sharing your ideas on working with blind and deaf dogs. I’m going out to a client house tomorrow and your information will be helpful. I particularly like the idea about using a carpet runner to help the dog find his way around. He is recently blind and has poor hearing and his owner is willing to do whatever is needed to help him readjust to his new situation.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:29:14 +0000

I just adopted an 8 year old blind lab from a shelter. He’s wonderful, however he has no obediance training at all. Unfortunately, he is food aggressive, so rewarding with treats is impossible at this time. Any suggestions?

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 03:36:12 +0000

The difference, though is that the vibration “collar” is controlled remotely. If you are going to touch the dog, you wouldn’t need a remote vibration collar. If you wanted to have a “special” reinforcement marker you delivered next to the animal as you suggest, you should save that for something more important (high value reinforcer). Thanks for reading Behind the Behavior!

By: bucky

bucky — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:17:53 +0000

great info.
i occurred to me that instead of a vibrating collar, you could use your electric toothbrush handle, or any other “thing” (ahem) that produces a vibrating sensation.
use that on the dog’s reinforcement area , as mentioned above.

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 02:14:24 +0000

Thank you for sharing your resources Lee!

By: Lee Hughes

Lee Hughes — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:00:30 +0000

I have worked with and been owned by deaf/blind dogs since 2006
Please have a look at my websites

Lethal Whiles UK – http://lethalwhitesuk.webs.com/
House of Misfits – http://houseofmisfits.weebly.com/

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 03:51:55 +0000

Oh, do keep us posted on how things go with your girl. What you learn during your journey with your dog will help all of us learn more. Thank you so much for adopting your pointer mix girl!!

By: Kelli

Kelli — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:15:43 +0000

Thank you for sharing this information. I have recently aquired a pointer mix who is deaf and has cataracts in both eyes. She is 9 months old and we have only had her about 5 weeks. Luckily, we have 2 Aussies that share her home and the pup has learned to follow the other around. I have a trainer coming out on Sunday to evaluate her for vibration collar training. She can see some so i want to get as much traning in as possible incase she does lose her vision completly. WIll be happy to update you on how training goes! Thanks again for the info on your site!