Dogs may be born deaf or become deaf. Training a deaf dog can be just as easy, if not easier, than training a dog who is not hearing-impaired! Dog owners tend to repeat themselves or use cues that their dog doesn’t really understand. Dogs actually learn better using lures and hand signals. By leaving out the extra background noise, training can be easy and less frustrating. This is why deaf dogs seem to catch on just as quickly!

Many deaf dogs respond well to using a laser pointer as a marker – just like using a clicker! Here’s how it works:

  • Click the laser pointer on and off, making sure to point it at the ground and not into their eyes. Immediately give them a treat.
  • Repeat this ten times, giving a treat every time you click.
  • Use a treat to lure your dog into sit. Click the laser pointer, and treat! Repeat this until your dog is reliably sitting.
  • The laser pointer is now a way for you to mark positive behaviors for your dog!

If you don’t want to use a laser pointer, you can always use another small item, like a colorful small scarf. Any visual marker that is small, consistent, and portable will do.

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