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We got a new Jack Russell puppy a couple of weeks ago without knowing she's deaf. We 're up for the challenge and we want to train her but we're finding it difficult as we can't seem to get her attention. We have actually managed to teach her sit with hand signals but the house breaking is the challenge right now and we have to leave her in a kenel as I am a shift worker..
We've never had a Jack Russell before and find that she is much like an ADHD child, bouncing off the wall! Help!
Barb Hunt

I think how Brad describes doing the training would work for your deaf dog. He recommends showing the dog the "mess" than using a tone and gestures that would indicate "bad dog" he would tell the puppy that this is a bad thing. The gestures and body language is what will work. When the puppy does it right lots of rubs and happy petting and smiles should help..I think . I am sure someone out there could give you more advice.

Good luck..the puppy sure is cute!!

Let me just say, what a "sweetheart"! My son had a deaf pitbull. She was the sweetest, smartest most lovable dog I had ever seen. It was hard at first. Trying to get her attention was the hardest. Alway's had to be in front of her so she could see you. She lived to be 7 yrs. old(had to be put down due to medical reasons). She knew many hand signal's and by the time she was just a year old my son could walk her off-leash. She understood very quickly that she had to keep her eye's on my son and knew he was her leader. In regards to house-breaking her, we treated her like any other puppy and took her outside after she ate, slept, played. Soon enough she knew to go outside when she had to relieve herself.

Does she respond if you stamp on the floor?

My son just had to look at her a certain way and she would know exactly what she needed to be doing. If she is anything like my son's dog, she will constantly be at your side looking for instruction. Do alot of socializing, with people and other dog's. The sooner the better.

Keep teaching hand signals, facial expressions....it won't take long, trust me!!

Good luck!

(That mean's "Good Girl" (She loved that one!

Can't give advice, but welcome to the pack.
You'll get lots of good advice here, and it will be good learning for all of us as well as you.
Download the first 2 chapters of Brad's book for free, read it, then come back for the rest.
Kudo's to you for being brave enough to adopt a deaf dog.

Brad's CET in Kelowna, Kari has a deaf boxer who is amazing! I would suggest contacting Daniela with your situation and see if you can get a phone consultation set up with her. Remember, dogs don't speak english, they learn it because we force them. They're natural language is body language which is totally silent. In actual fact this should be the easiest thing ever without our english words to screw this dog up. Get your dog on umbilical and teach it too watch for your movements. Once your dogs attention is on you words are not necessary and are actually hindering.
You can totally do this, I hope you have a fabulous experience training your Jack. I bet you two will learn the most amazing things from each other.

While going to college, one of my professors was Deaf (I was taking Sign Language Communicator program), as was her husband. They had 2 dalmations, both of which were deaf as well--I guess that's pretty common with that breed. Anyway, they were two of the best trained dogs I've ever seen! They just communicated with the dogs the same way they communicated with each other, with American Sign Language. Maybe you could get a book that shows you basic signs, like sit, down, come, etc.

For housebreaking, if she makes a mistake in the house, take her to it, and sign "no", or "bad" with a frown on your face. When she goes outside, give her a big smile, and the sign for applause--hands palm out, about shoulder height, and kind of twist them back and forth at the wrist. I know I'm not explaining the signs very clearly, but I'm sure if you go to your local library, you'll be able to find something that has at least the basic signs in it.

Jack Russels are smart--she'll pick it up in no time!

P.S. The sign for "dog" is slapping the side of your thigh with an open hand!

A friend has a deaf Dane and she's trained it with sign. Don't forget that your dog will respond to your "energy" as well! My dogs aren't deaf but thru her I've also incorporated signs into my dogs.

I haven't used food but again mine aren't deaf ... there are alot of websites online if you do a search "deaf dog signs" etc I did some research because I often dog sit for my friend when she's out of town.

this is a good site for pics etc http://www.deafdogs.org/training/signs.php#signs

this site has good links, and also a video, I haven't been to all of them yet. http://www.wagntrain.com/deaf_dog.htm



Good luck
Remember stay calm