Q: I have an 8-month old totally deaf (veterinarian diagnosed) border collie. We are teaching her sign language and she is doing really well with us at home. The problem is when we take her out (anywhere) she gets so excited she won't "listen" to us when we try to communicate. Since we have to have her watch us at the same time we are signing we often run too short on hands to do any communicating. Can you help? She does go out often so I don't feel it's a lack of socialization. Thanks!
A: It's a rare dog of any kind at this age who reliably pays attention to the handler in exciting situations! Always use a leash, of course, and just keep working on that attention with the positive methods I expect you are already using. If she can't handle a certain situation, move to a distance from that situation or a level of that type of situation that she CAN handle, and gradually work up to the goal situation. It takes time and practice.
Extra hands would be nice, but one thing you can add is facial expressions and other body language to communicate with her. In particular, use your body movements to attract her attention back to you. Move quickly AWAY from her (with her on leash, but not a tight leash; slack in the leash means she has to watch you rather than just feel you through the leash, so keep that leash loose), and reward her for moving to you and giving you eye contact. She'll be very good at this, since Border Collies naturally use their eyes a lot and are keenly aware of movement.
Below is more about this method. You won't be able to use a verbal signal as in the description below, but you can use a gentle touch or other attention-getter that works without hearing.
Dog Attention
Stationary exercises do not work as well for this as moving exercises. If you teach her to give attention to you when you say her name, you can eventually develop the ability to get and hold her attention anytime you wish. With attention (and EYES) on you, she simply has none left to get overexcited about whatever else is happening. I learned this method from expert trainer Linda O'Hare Newsome.
Here's how you do it. Have treats on your person (later you may use a toy instead, but it helps to start with tiny, tempting treats, lots of tiny pieces), but keep them out of the dog's sight. To initiate the attention sequence, say "[Dog's Name]!" and YOU MOVE ABRUPTLY away from her. If you want to say or signal "Heel" or "Come" or "Front" or "By Me," that's fine too. The main thing is, say the name--this is going to become the word on which she will learn to look at you--then MOVE. For your deaf dog, use whatever you're using in place of the name to get the dog to briefly look at you. It would be a good idea to have more than one signal for this. Dogs see well in the dark, but there may be times you absolutely cannot get the dog's eyes. One alternative is a collar that vibrates.
When she moves with you, quickly PRAISE her. This is where you would use a clicker if you wish to use that method, but a word of praise is fine, too. A vibration, touch, or other praise signal would of course be great for a deaf dog. Then instantly whip out a treat and give it to her. Do not show the treats until you are ready to give one. This prevents the treat from becoming, in the dog's mind, an actual part of the command--or a bribe. Each time you give a treat, align it between the dog's eyes and yours. You want eye contact from her with that treat. Soon you will find her seeking your eye contact. Always praise her when she does that, and it's fine to give her a "free" treat for doing it.
Okay, you're not done. When you do this sequence, always do at least 3 to 5 in a row. That means each time you 1) say the name, 2) move, 3) praise, 4) whip out a treat and 5) give it. This doesn't necessarily take up a bunch of space, since you want it all to happen very fast. The movement is not over a great distance. You can move one direction the first time, back the other way the second time, etc. But always at least 3 to 5 repetitions in a row before you release the dog's attention. This is what teaches her to SUSTAIN that attention on you until you release it.
Practice this exercise everywhere, including at obedience class. You can do this with a toy, especially once you have taught it to her. But don't rush to get away from the food. Food is the easiest thing to deliver with this split-second timing, and will greatly help you in establishing the pattern of attention.
By always praising before you give the treat, you are also building up your praise in the dog's mind. This will allow you later to praise at that correct moment, and be able to deliver the treat (or toy) a bit later (when you have to walk across the room to get one, for example) while the praise maintains the continuity in the dog's mind between the action and the reward.
The attention exercise is not extremely time-consuming. Just take a few moments and do it with her in every location where you go together. It's surprising how quickly it becomes habit for the dog to look at you when you say her name--and equally habit for you to positively reinforce her every time she gives you her attention. People will comment on how much your dog loves you, and the obvious bond between the two of you--and they'll be right!
I am no expert on working with deaf dogs, but there are resources about it on the internet as well as at least one book on the subject. These would definitely be worth your seeking out, as training and handling a deaf dog is a special challenge. I hope things go great!