SPCA of Texas office pup Anderson Cooper wishes everyone a happy National Deaf Pet Awareness Week!

Deaf dogs require essentially the same level of care as hearing dogs. It is only the type of care and training that is different. Instead of verbal commands, you’ll want to use hand signals to train your new dog. If you’re up to the challenge, this is a great opportunity to learn some American Sign Language. You never know when such a skill could come in handy. Alternatively you may prefer to create your own hand signals. No matter what visual cues you come up with for the purpose of training, the most important thing is consistency. Once you determine the hand signal you want to use for ‘sit’, don’t deviate from that choice – it’ll only confuse your dog!

Because they are unable to hear people approaching, deaf dogs may startle more easily. As with any dog, avoid waking them up unless it is an emergency. To avoid startling your deaf dog upon waking them up, be ready with a treat in your hand. Gently stroke them to wake them up and feed them the treat in order to ease them into the idea that being woken up is a pleasant experience.

You need to be confident in training your deaf dog in order to gain their trust. Above all, your dog should be able to trust you in uncertain situations, even simple tasks like crossing the street. Your pup should look at you for direction and leadership in new situations. Remember, your body language is your dog’s most important visual cue. If your posture is relaxed, your dog will feel more at ease.

Last but not least, it is recommended to get your dog a bell for their collar. Your dog won’t be able to hear if you’re calling for them, so a bell can help you track them down if they wander around in the house. You should keep your deaf dog leashed and under your control at all times as they cannot hear approaching threats like oncoming cars. Another good idea is to get a tag for your dog’s collar that identifies them as deaf in the rare case that your dog gets separated from you.