Deaf Dog Learns Sign Language While Awaiting Adoption

Deaf Dog Learns Sign Language While Awaiting Adoption

LEAP Animal Care

Tutorial 

Learning Objectives

I will be able to understand the challenges and special needs of deaf dogs, particularly in adoption scenarios. 

I will be able to recognise the importance of specialised training, such as sign language, for dogs with hearing impairments.

What do you already know about deaf dogs and their special training needs or training needs of dogs?

Deaf Dog Gromit's Experience

Gromit, a deaf bulldog cross, has been in the Scottish SPCA's care for 142 days, learning sign language while waiting for a forever home.

Challenges Faced by Deaf Dogs

Deaf dog: A dog with impaired or nonexistent hearing ability, requiring alternative methods of communication and training

Training Needs

Positive reinforcement: A training method that involves rewarding desired behaviors to encourage their repetition.

Sign language for dogs: A method of communication using visual signals to give commands to and interact with dogs that are deaf or hard of hearing.

Importance of Suitable Homes

What is the importance of finding suitable adoptive homes for special needs pets?

Socialisation and Positive Reinforcement

What is the role of socialisation and positive reinforcement in a deaf dog's life?

Closing- key terms

Deaf dog: A dog with impaired or nonexistent hearing ability, requiring alternative methods of communication and training. 

Positive reinforcement: A training method that involves rewarding desired behaviors to encourage their repetition.

 Sign language for dogs: A method of communication using visual signals to give commands to and interact with dogs that are deaf or hard of hearing.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.