Dogs as a species are generally known for their excellent senses. Some dogs have keen sight, most have a great sense of smell, and it’s hard to get away with grabbing a leash without your dog hearing it and bounding up to you as a result. Despite this reputation, not all dog breeds are without a few genetic hiccups. One of the more well-known breed distinctions when it comes to the effects on the senses is the Dalmatian, designated as one of a few breeds that is genetically predisposed to being deaf.
Owners of deaf Dalmatians are often forced to consider alternative training methods, as using things like voice commands or verbal cues do not work as they would in a dog who is capable of hearing. While these dogs are fully capable of living a full and healthy life, it can take some adjusting to determine the best way to teach things like basic obedience. This can be made doubly difficult by the fact that Dalmatians, as a breed, are likely to be challenging to train by default. They are curious, active, and tend to have their focus pulled away very easily. Dalmatians are not for a beginner dog owner and a deaf Dalmatian puppy presents an entirely different set of hurdles to overcome.
Despite the inherent difficulty, there are several ways for a deaf Dalmatian puppy to learn the basics of obedience and beyond. For a deaf dog, visual cues are everything, and relying on things like hand signals can make training much easier. Other things like touch, smell, or sounds that are beyond our own range of hearing but may still trigger a response in a deaf or hard of hearing dog are all alternative methods to training a puppy without using verbal commands. Using a combination of these tactics can also be helpful, but determining the right one for you and your deaf puppy is crucial.
Puppies can start training once they pass the eight-week mark, though be sure to not take them outside until they’ve received their vaccinations to prevent any illness from spreading. Training that is started earlier can result in an easier adjustment, but even older puppies can be taught using these non-verbal methods, so long as you have enough patience. Be prepared, however, for a long training regimen. For a deaf Dalmatian puppy, obedience isn’t learned overnight, and it can take several months before he fully understands the commands you are teaching him.
As with all dogs, be sure to get a full health evaluation of your puppy. Some Dalmatian puppies can be fully deaf, while others may simply be hard of hearing. Get your dog’s hearing assessed properly to determine just what sort of methods will be most effective with him.
Relying on the other senses with deaf dogs is important, so treats that are especially smelly and tasty can be very effective as a reward or a lure to perform certain behaviors. Gather up enough of these to make training interesting. If you’re going to be training outside, a good leash is necessary to ensure that your puppy doesn’t wander off. A deaf dog may not hear the dangers of the outdoors such as traffic or other animals. Be prepared to maintain a safe environment at all times.