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Remember, we are training a dog, it just happens to be a deaf dog. Now you are in the swing of using your hand signals consistently and for everyday activities, you can begin some basic training. Speaking as you sign will help you to convey your meaning. The sign will be learnt quicker and have more meaning to your dog. Dogs are experts at reading body language, including facial expressions. As you sign "walkies" also say "walkies" and this will show in your face. If you are signing something happy such as "walkies", it helps if you are smiling as you sign. It is always a good idea, when signing, to also speak to your dog as you do each hand signal. Once that happens you are both well away. Your deaf dog soon learns that your hands and movements are telling them interesting things. Once you have successfully taught your dog a couple of easy signs you will be surprised how easily and quickly the rest of the signs will follow. If they respond with excitement expecting walkies or dinner then you have successfully communicated to your deaf dog. Keep using your chosen sign and watch your dog's reaction. You will be amazed at how quickly your deaf dog will come to associate the hand signal with the event that follows. So, for example, get your dog's attention with a gentle tap near the shoulder blades and sign for "dinner" and then put the food bowl down or sign for "walkies" and immediately get the dog lead off its hook. These are two activities that most dogs love. Start with some everyday pleasant events such as a sign for "dinner time" and a sign for "walkies". Start to use your signs exactly as you would normally speak to a hearing dog. Put them on the fridge door or somewhere easy to view and stick to those signs. Make a note of the signs you intend to use and maybe draw them or photograph them. Whatever hand signals you choose to use, the vitally important thing is to be consistent. See how you get on and don't be afraid to adapt your signs to your own dog's needs.įor some examples please see Deaf Dog Hand Signals. Most are more discrete as Berkeley is very observant and also rather frightened of large sweeping hand movements.
![deaf dog hand signals chart deaf dog hand signals chart](https://i.pinimg.com/236x/dd/ea/a1/ddeaa1ad20131d993e7f8c0ffe8eef18--dog-commands-training-your-dog.jpg)
Only a few of them are large and away from the body such as the recall sign. We made up many signs for our deaf dog, Berkeley. For this reason, by all means look up some official signs but do adapt them to your own needs, or change them completely into something that you can easily use and remember. Have some fun and be inventive but bear in mind that all signs should be clear, easily distinguishable from other signs and preferably performed away from your body so that your sign is clearly visible to your dog. Alternatively, and probably even better, is to make up your own hand signs to suit you and your dog. Some people learn commands from UK or USA sign language standards. The key to a 'normal' relationship with your deaf dog is to use hand signals in place of the spoken word. They can learn all the behaviours that a hearing dog can, including recall.
![deaf dog hand signals chart deaf dog hand signals chart](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a1/0b/dc/a10bdc48d370556a24b7fe4310619d20.png)
With a little time and imagination from the owner, deaf dog training is as easy and rewarding as any dog training, if not more so because you have their full focus and they will be thrilled to finally have communication and fun instruction. With their heightened sense of smell and eager eyes, a dog without hearing can understand, interact and learn just as well as their hearing companions. But a deaf dog only has one of the five senses missing and can accommodate for this loss much better than you might imagine. Deaf dogs are quite often written off as too difficult to train, unable to recall or be let off the lead and generally unable to live a 'normal' life.