by Dr. William Campbell

The biggest challenge in teaching a deaf dog is also the key element in communicating with it ... keeping its visual attention on you. Once you achieve this primary goal, the rest is a piece of cake.

The basic tool for keeping the deaf dog's visual attention on you is an ordinary bean bag. These can be quickly made from dried beans and light canvas material cut and sewed about 2 inches square. Some school sports supply stores and toy stores have ready-made bean bags. We prefer the home made models because they are lighter and less expensive.

The Method
Start is an enclosed area no more than about 40 feet square. Distractions at first should be minimal. Stand in the center of the area (where leaders position themselves) and keep the left side toward the dog ... wherever he goes. This makes it impossible for the dog to circle you, which is a leader/dominant behavior.
When you begin, if the dog is looking at you, crouch right down and Clap your hands so the dog sees the quick movement. This provides a visual attraction. Keep up the clapping until the dog either comes to you or looks away. If he looks away, toss a bean bag at his rear legs. As soon as it makes contact, crouch and clap again. Repeat this process until the dog comes all the way to you. Then, give him lots of up-beat petting for about 10 seconds. Then, quickly stand up and step rearward, trying to get behind the dog. With this move, you are testing the dog's visual orientation to you. If he does not look at you, and turn with you, toss another bean bag and repeat the crouch-clap
routine.
Don't worry if the dog picks up a bean bag. Just carry on and toss the next one. Many clients' dogs have actually carried the bag to them during early sessions. This disappeared later.

Speed is Essential
This training process relies on speed to dominate the deaf dog's total visual attention. This means you have to prepare yourself for an extremely active 10 to 15 minutes, which is about how long it usually takes before the dog will, quite literally, not leave your side, even though you step behind and try to get away from it.

When The Dog Stays With You
When the dog will not leave you, stand still and move your hand from in front of the dog's eyes to a spot over its head. When its eyes 'track' your hand, keep moving it back, looking for a sit. Try this only a couple of times. This may work during the first session, but more often it won't. Don't worry. The main goal of the first session is to gain the dog's orientation.
In following sessions, visual distractions should be introduced, such as other people or dogs in the area. When the dog comes to the crouch/clap and stays three times in a row, the sessions should be ended, once again trying for the sit.
Within a few teaching sessions the sit will be gained, which is great, because it gives the dog something to do after he gets to you. At that time, the stay hand-signal should be used, but you should not leave the dog's side for a few sessions. Teaching the dog to sit and stay with you is first, before teaching the concept of sit-staying without you.
Just as with hearing dogs, deaf ones must learn in different areas, with gradually increasing distractions in each new area. Once you arrive at a new area with extreme distractions and the dog keeps his attention on you from the very beginning ... you will know you have achieved your goal of total orientation.
It goes without saying that all of the teaching sessions should be held in areas free from danger to the dog from vehicles or other animals.

Copyright 1992 - edited from Pet Behavior Newsletter, W. E. Campbell