It is possible to use sign language with our pets for successful communication, not limiting it solely to humans.
Rose Ayling-Ellis made history on BBC1’s popular program, Strictly Come Dancing, as the first deaf contestant to win the glitter ball trophy. Her impressive achievement has led to a heightened interest in British Sign Language (BSL) among the public, with one BSL course provider experiencing a remarkable increase of 2,000% in enrollments since her appearance on the show. Throughout the competition, Ayling-Ellis demonstrated her unwavering determination to pursue her aspirations despite her hearing impairment. Viewers of the show may already have picked up some basic sign language phrases, such as ‘thank you’, ‘applause’, and ‘keep dancing’.
The language of signing
Sense, a charity organization, provides a definition of sign language as a method of communication utilizing gestures made by the hands, movements, facial expressions and bodily language in place of verbal speech. This method can prove advantageous in communicating with and comprehending your deaf pets, including cats, dogs, and other animals.
Ensuring that pets with hearing problems are not misunderstood is crucial, according to an article in the Vet Times by Maria Thompson. Many people lack knowledge of how to handle deaf dogs, which can result in mistaking them for mischievous dogs or considering them troublesome. Nonetheless, the outlook is optimistic as more trainers and behaviorists are becoming conscious of the needs of deaf dogs and working to enhance awareness and comprehension of the subject.
How to train with hand signals
The Battersea rehoming charity suggests that while humans rely heavily on verbal cues, non-verbal communication such as hand signals and body language are equally important when interacting with a deaf dog. Clear and consistent hand signals are crucial when teaching a deaf dog, starting with exaggerated movements and gradually reducing them over time. Although speaking may seem unnecessary, it can actually aid the training process. When praising, combining facial expressions and positive body language with signing can assist the dog in understanding and responding appropriately.
To begin with, Battersea provides an impressive collection of helpful training advice for dogs that are deaf. However, here are three sample commands – ‘Good Dog’, ‘Watch Me’ and ‘Sit’ – to help you kick off.
TEACHING A ‘GOOD DOG’ SIGNAL TO A DEAF DOG
Utilize this to communicate to the dog that they have accomplished something favorable or that you are pleased with.
When your dog performs a positive behavior, form an ‘O’ shape with your thumb and index finger and ensure they are either looking directly at you or have visual access to you.
Whenever your dog displays a satisfactory behaviour, you can employ this signal and then acknowledge the action with a treat. Whether day-to-day or during training sessions, this signal serves as a fundamental cue and can also operate as a type of clicker training for a hearing-impaired dog.
TEACHING A ‘WATCH ME’ SIGNAL TO A DEAF DOG
If your dog is being distracted or troubled by something in the surrounding environment, this instruction can be advantageous in obtaining and retaining their focus.
Display a treat to your dog and then extend it out to the side, keeping it almost at the length of your arm. Grip the treat with your thumb and middle finger, while your index finger faces backward towards your face.
When your dog gazes at the treat, wait until they avert their attention to make eye contact with you. That’s when you should use the ‘good dog’ signal and offer them the treat as a reward.
Continue practicing until the dog consistently makes eye contact when the treat is presented in this manner.
As time progresses, you can gradually extend the duration of their eye contact before rewarding them. If they look away, it means you’re advancing too fast.
After achieving mastery, you may employ the hand signal even when not holding the treat, though you should still acknowledge their success with a reward.
TEACHING A ‘SIT’ SIGNAL TO A DEAF DOG
Requesting this behavior is advantageous in situations requiring calmness and stillness, similar to how dogs with acute hearing respond, which helps to dissipate tension.
Display a treat to your dog using your hand and permit them to nuzzle it with their nose.
As they sniff the treat, lift your hand slightly above their head and move it towards their back to prompt them to gaze upwards and settle their hindquarters on the ground.
Once they assume the sitting position, promptly give them the treat as a reward.
Continue doing this until they perform the action consistently. Gradually decrease the hand gestures until you simply make a fist, bend your elbow and lift your hand to your shoulder.
When your canine assumes a sitting position, reward them with a treat and signal of approval, such as “good dog.”
As you progress, you can gradually eliminate the treats, thereby training your dog to respond solely to the hand gesture.
Sending out clear signals to deaf cats
Cats Protection confirms that cats can be trained in a similar fashion. The organization reports that deaf cats are able to adapt to their environment with ease and compensate for their hearing loss by relying on their other senses. It can often be difficult for owners to determine whether their cat is deaf or simply ignoring them, such as when they fail to respond when called but immediately come running upon hearing a treat box being shaken. Deaf cats can be taught to recognize hand signals or light signals if they are unable to hear their owner’s voice. It is important to choose a signal that is unique and consistent to prevent confusion.
Body language comes naturally to rabbits
Even if they are deaf, pet rabbits can still communicate with and comprehend their human. While hearing is crucial for survival in the wild, pet rabbits can rely on their exceptional vision, which offers almost all-round visibility except for two blind spots, as well as body language and scent – methods used in inter-bunny communication. Therefore, hand gestures and visual cues can be effectively used to communicate with bunnies as well.
The key points to remember when communicating with any deaf pet are:
To avoid surprising them, it’s crucial to be cautious since they won’t be able to detect you coming.
To get their attention, you will have to position yourself within their field of vision.
Applying positive reinforcement to incentivize desired behaviors and disregarding undesired ones is identical for both a pet with the ability to hear and one that cannot.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
There are primarily two tiers of dog training. If your focus is on teaching your dog basic manners and skills, such as sitting, staying, and lying down, then you should seek out the services of a dog trainer. On the other hand, if your dog is struggling with behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggressiveness, or fearfulness, then it’s recommended that you consult a dog behavioral expert such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
To receive training for both skills and behavior, it is recommended to begin with behavior training as it is the more intricate of the two. A dog behavior consultant is knowledgeable in teaching sitting and is also capable of aiding with separation anxiety, unlike a dog trainer who may not have the expertise to do so.
Be realistic.
Fratt suggests that just as every human may not develop a liking for raves, similarly, not every dog might develop an affinity for the dog park.
An applied ethologist, family dog mediator, and proprietor of The Dog Door Behavior Center, Kim Brophey authored the book “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs L.E.G.S (learning, environment, genetics, self) as a framework to clarify dog behavior. To illustrate, suppose your dog is growling at your visitors.
Brophey suggests that the dog breed might have been specifically chosen for centuries to protect against intruders entering through the front door. As the genetic inclination of a German shepherd to safeguard its territory cannot be altered through training, one may have to adjust their anticipations accordingly.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several training methods available including group classes, one-on-one training, board and train, day training, and self-led training. Although group classes are less expensive, they may lack personalization. According to Fratt, board and train facilities are more expensive and involve higher risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your choice will depend on your budget and your training goals. For example, if your dog is acting aggressively towards another dog in your home, that’s probably not well-served by training that takes place outside of your home.
It is important to note that training your dog will require your involvement, but it doesn’t have to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt has stated that she only spends approximately five minutes a day on training. Moreover, the exercises given by trainers can be enjoyable and simple to incorporate into your daily routine.
According to our specialists, there are online resources available for free or at a low cost that can provide you with dog training without spending a lot of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has put together several resources that are available for free, while Fratt offers a set of free lessons under the banner of Training Tuesday.
Understand the methodologies.
There are no established regulations in the field of dog training, which allows individuals with a website, Instagram page, or physical location to purport themselves as dog trainers. Consequently, there is no authoritative guidebook dictating appropriate techniques to utilize during dog training, resulting in differing opinions among trainers. Nonetheless, most dog trainers belong to two primary groups.
Fratt is an example of a positive reinforcement trainer who uses this approach to train dogs. Essentially, positive reinforcement involves rewarding a dog with something positive, such as a treat, when they exhibit a behavior that is desired. This method aims to encourage dogs to continue the same behavior. It also helps to create a positive experience for dogs and can help them overcome their fears or anxiety.
Balanced trainers such as Brianna Dick employ positive reinforcement techniques while also being open to utilizing corrective measures such as e-collars in their training.
According to Dick, E-collar training utilizes a remote-controlled collar that emits different stimuli such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray to correct your dog’s behavior. However, the use of E-collars, particularly those that deliver shocks, is a controversial topic within the dog training community.
According to Dick, one must be cautious of trainers who rely solely on e-collars for all dogs. She believes this approach is generic and ineffective, stating that it is vital to choose a trainer who takes the time to understand one’s unique relationship, lifestyle, and needs with their dog.
Find a good trainer.
A great place to begin your search for a reputable positive reinforcement or balanced trainer in your local vicinity is to refer to compiled lists by professional associations. Numerous such associations exist, such as:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Subsequently, conduct interviews by contacting previous clients to identify the trainer who suits your comfort level the best. Verify their ability to elucidate their training techniques.
