Help for Hard of Hearing

[RetiredProf]

I'm practically "deaf" and recently lost my Dobie which I trained to alert me to a few common sounds (phone, doorbell, smoke alarm). I hope to be able to do the same with my new Sheltie pup, Fergus.

Does anyone have experience with this type of training? My Dobe would alert me by running to me and barking, but I'd like to train Fergus to differentiate the sounds and respond specifically.

Thanks for any input.

 

[BarbV]

I'm practically "deaf" and recently lost my Dobie which I trained to alert me to a few common sounds (phone, doorbell, smoke alarm). I hope to be able to do the same with my new Sheltie pup, Fergus.

Does anyone have experience with this type of training? My Dobe would alert me by running to me and barking, but I'd like to train Fergus to differentiate the sounds and respond specifically.

Thanks for any input.

Doorbells, alarms, enemy aircraft, malicious hot air ballooners flying overhead, blow dryers attacking Mom's hair.....you've no worries....these are all NATURAL to a Sheltie! Most of us are trying to train our dogs to STOP this behaviour!

I guess you simply reward and treat when pup is alerting you at the times that you want to be alerted. You can condition your pup to certain sounds (e.g. smoke alarms) using clicker training. I'm not an expert on it, but I'm pretty sure it would be appropriate.

I'm also sure there is good resource material on the internet....it would fall under search criteria like "training guide dogs".

 

[Chris]

Doorbells, alarms, enemy aircraft, malicious hot air ballooners flying overhead, blow dryers attacking Mom's hair.....you've no worries....these are all NATURAL to a Sheltie! Most of us are trying to train our dogs to STOP this behaviour!

I guess you simply reward and treat when pup is alerting you at the times that you want to be alerted. You can condition your pup to certain sounds (e.g. smoke alarms) using clicker training. I'm not an expert on it, but I'm pretty sure it would be appropriate.

I'm also sure there is good resource material on the internet....it would fall under search criteria like "training guide dogs".

I agree -- you picked the right breed! Now if you focus on rewarding the "good" barking and ignoring the undesired, that's a great start.

 

[JessicaR]

are there any trainers in your area? My sons 4-h trainer does auditory assistant dog training. maybe you can call local trainer and see if they know of someone that can help you.

 

[elaine2004]

Best way to train for specific alerts !

are there any trainers in your area? My sons 4-h trainer does auditory assistant dog training. maybe you can call local trainer and see if they know of someone that can help you.

Contact your local groups for the deaf and they may be able to head you in the right direction, if the Local 4-H doesn't work out. Good luck and keep us updated.

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I know that the trainer that I went to for agility trained all kinds of things including obedience, herding, carting and service dog training. If you phone around you should be able to find a trainer in your area that also trains service dogs.

 

[Caro]

Doorbells, alarms, enemy aircraft, malicious hot air ballooners flying overhead, blow dryers attacking Mom's hair.....you've no worries....these are all NATURAL to a Sheltie! Most of us are trying to train our dogs to STOP this behaviour!

So true

I have a friend with a service dog (a lab) as he was also partially deaf. He sent the dog away for training to one of several organisations that train assistance dogs. The lab lived in with a trainer for a week at a time. My friend had very little hearing, that's why he sent the dog away but I he could also have attended the course himself with the dog. I will say the lab is a bit of a goof so not too reliable.

Are you in the US? You might find this website useful.
http://www.adai.org/

Otherwise I find this website useful for looking up all sorts of dog issues. Heres the link to the assistance dogs section
http://www.k9events.com/assistance_dog_sites.htm