Comments on: Training Dogs Who Are Blind AND Deaf

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!

By: Dana

Dana — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:24:36 +0000

I think you overlooked another group of people who can use this resource: owners of dogs who are blind and deaf! I have a friend who has been searching high and low for information and the more information and help available, the more chances there are that some of these dogs will never find themselves in a rescue situation.

Not all owners give up the minute something goes wrong.

By: Becky

Becky — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 02:34:30 +0000

Thank you,

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:30:32 +0000

I’d be happy to talk about the pager collars. These are e-collars that do NOT shock, they vibrate. You introduce the collar to the dog slowly so they don’t startle and become afraid. The “page” gets the dog’s attention so that you can then give a hand signal (in the case of a deaf dog) or whatever other cue you’ve conditioned. It’s a wonderful tool for managing compromised dogs at a distance. Here’s a list provided by deafdogs.org but I think it’s out of date: http://www.deafdogs.org/resources/vibramakers.php. I recommend that owners/trainers/rescuers look for collars that ONLY vibrate.

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:04:07 +0000

can you tell me about the pager?

By: Christine Hibbard

Christine Hibbard — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 15:00:52 +0000

Hi Becky, how lucky for these rescue puppies that they have such a caring and knowledgeable person caring for them and training them. Thank you for all you do for the dogs! I’ve used flash lights for deaf dogs with great success as well. I’ve also used “pager” or “vibration” collars successfully. Thanks for reading Behind the Behavior and keep the great ideas coming!

By: Becky

Becky — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:50:02 +0000

i have rescued and fostered for a short while 7 lethal white aussie puppies in the last 8 months. this was all new to me and i have fallen in love with these special need babies. 3 were deaf and the other 4 are deaf and vision impaired. one could see pretty good out of one eye. i thought the others were blind. found out the they could see shadows in certain lighting up close. the one i have now is that way and i have found he responds to a flash light. i am using a flash light for clicker training, getting his attention and getting him to come to me. i also use a light in the room. i flash it off and on 2 times and a pause then do it again until he comes to the flashing light . the flash light is a strong light and when i take him outside at night he will follow the light. i have gotten a key chain flashlight and i am starting to use it as a clicker for sit, down, roll over etc. he is my first one i have had long enough to train more. the others i rescued went to other aussie rescues with in a month or so and were little puppies.
check and see if your blind dog can see a light.