Tag Archives: deaf/blind dogs

Training a deaf/blind dog to do agility? YES!

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We have a group of over 30 differently abled dogs, some are deaf, some are blind, some are both deaf & blind. Each week we get together and learn 30 minutes of obedience commands, and 30 minutes of agility training. Yes, agility. That wonderfully fun sport where dogs run on 12 inch wide boards, set to be 3-4 feet off the ground. Poles to weave around, jumps to jump, A-frames to climb and tunnels to barrel through.

How and why do I do this, it is exciting and fun both the owner, myself and more importantly, the dog itself!  It is rewarding for all involved and a great way to socialize our dogs. We do not compete, we do not challenge one another, we get together and enjoy the moments that our dogs take their first steps on a dog walk or their first weave around a pole that they can only smell and feel. We watch as our dogs entire bodies wiggle from nose to toes because they just achieved this task and we gave them all the love we have inside, to show them how proud we are of them.

The first time I saw my “grandpup” Charlie (who is deaf and blind), challenging himself to climb on top of a chair during our basic obedience class while we taught the “up” command, I knew he wanted to do more. His little tail was wagging so fast when he achieved this task, why would I deny him of learning more. When his mom asked me about agility, I said “absolutely” lets do it!  That was July of 2012, and we have not looked back since.

We use scents, texture and touch to teach our deaf and blind dogs, sign to teach our deafies, verbal commands along with touch and scent for our blind pups. For years I have been teaching all dogs different tasks, getting them working and helping owners understand them. “Each dog has a different way of learning and a different motivator”, I tell my furparents in any class I do. This is the very same mind set I have and share with my differently abled class. Each dog learns differently, it is normal; just as children learn differently.   You have to find what excites your dog, and sometimes you have to wait for them to overcome a fear or anxiety in order to help them learn a new task.

 

Most humans want to see a change immediately, but overlook the subtle changes that happen everyday in our dogs because it is not an amazing transformation in one hour. We are always in such a hurry we do not enjoy the little changes, the little achievements, the little tail wags. I teach all my furparents (TDAWG or not) how to see every subtle change and achievement in their dogs. Maybe the one dog that used to spin constantly, has started walking 5-10 steps in a straight line. That is awesome! Maybe a dog you couldn’t touch at all, can be touched for 30 seconds without running away; fantastic! Maybe it’s a dog that used to bark constantly at other dogs, that can do one piece of equipment right next to another dog silently; that is huge!

Dogs celebrate every second of life! Seriously, they wag their tails because you simply smiled at them, or pet them. They enjoy every moment we share with them and every task we do together. This is why we do TDAWG. We smile with a tail wag, we beam with happiness with each weave pole, we jump with praise because our dogs jumped a jump! TDAWG doesn’t just teach the dogs, it teaches the furparents to recognize and enjoy everything in life, even the small things.

Stop and celebrate with us, enjoy everything your furbaby achieves- even just a tail wag. Celebrate every second that leads you to every year, you get to smile because your furbaby is at your side.

-Tara and the pack

 

 

 

Differently Abled Myths and Facts

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MYTH FACT
They are or will become aggressive. There has never been a documented fatality involving a differently-abled dog. They learn through touch, which makes them more tolerant to our natural rudeness of overly touching/coddling.
They startle easier. All dogs startle. The majorities of documented dog bites caused by startle, are from under-socialized and untrained hearing and seeing dogs. Differently-abled dogs use their sense of smell and typically know something is coming before a hearing and seeing dog does.
They need constant supervision. Hundreds of dogs with sight and hearing are admitted to surgery due to obstructions because they were left unattended. If you have a dog, any dog; you should own a crate.
They can hurt themselves if not protected. All dogs are in danger if not supervised. Differently-abled dogs learn their surroundings and memorize it. Most can navigate the environment smoother then hearing/seeing dogs. There are many cases where a dog that can hear and see, has run into something in an excited stage and injured him/herself. Differently-abled dogs count their steps, learn through scent and are more cautious which keeps them safer.
They come with high medical potential. Differently-abled dogs cost no more then others. They need the same routine health care as their brothers and sisters. They are not sick all the time.
They don’t play. The worst myth yet. All dogs play, differently-abled dogs play through scent and touch instead of hearing and sight. They play ball, chase, tug, and wrestle; just as all dogs do.
They can’t lead normal lives. Everyday, hundreds of differently-abled dogs lead normal lives. They adapt to their environment and adjust through other senses. They are natural survivors.
They can never be happy. They play, live, love and survive just as any dog out there. Ask any owner of a differently-abled dog and you will hear how excited they are by the presence of them, how affectionate they are, and how loyal they are. Differently-abled dogs truly do not know they are different. Other dogs play with them and treat them as any other pack member.
They can’t be housebroken. All of my clients have housebroken their dogs the same way, crate, leash and routine. It does not change because a dog cannot see or hear, consistency is key to housebreaking.
Transport stresses them out. Transport can be as smooth as any other dog. You have the same hurdles, car sickness or anxiety. Recommended transport is in a crate or seat-belted in a harness. The vibration tends to make them sleep.
They cannot live with children. All dogs have the potential to bite a child. I personally had sixty-four cases last year of child biters; all were hearing/seeing dogs. A differently-abled dog can do fine with a child as long as they are supervised and taught how to interact with them (the child that is).
There are no resources out there for help. There are rescues, trainers and groups out there to help adopters. We will post a list on our site soon.  We offer Skype/Facetime appointments for owners outside of Austin Texas and we also offer training to trainers interested in helping differently abled dogs.
It will stress them to have many hands touching them in rescue. On the contrary. The more hands that touch your differently-abled dog the better! This is a great way to socialize them.
They are long term fosters. Differently-abled dogs can and should be promoted just as the other dogs in your rescue. One great way to do this is to list the commands they already know- commands you must teach them for everyday life anyway. Go over the myth sheet and explain the focus they will get from their dogs. A great way to promote them to is to offer a 2-week foster to adopt program. Most people are more likely to adopt after they fall in love, if they feel they are not “trapped”into a commitment.

 

If you have any questions at all, need help, or are interested in learning how to train a differently abled dog, please email us:

 

tdawginfo@gmail.com