Before you begin training with your deaf dog, decide what hand signal you will be using. Changing your hand signal can be very confusing and your set your dog back with training.

 

Step One: Get a treat and grab your dogs attention with it. Once you have their attention, move the treat up above your dog's head. This will cause your dog to move its head back and its legs will fall. Once the dog's butt hits the ground, give your command, and reward.
 

Step Two: After repeating the prior steps a few times, remove your treat. Give your dog the hand signal. If your dog sits, reward them! If your dog doesn't respond to just the hand signal, go back and do step one a few more times.

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Remember to keep these sessions short - even just a few minutes at a time, to keep things interesting for the dog. Always end sessions on a high note, and set your dog up to succeed. If you find yourself, or your dog getting frustrated, take a break and try again later.

 

While these methods have worked for us, it is important to remember that every dog is different and what works for one, may not work for another.

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