DEAF DOGS ARE SPECIAL IN SO MANY WAYS.

One of SuperDog's best buddies, Sport, is a deaf Golden Retriever.
Other than the fact that he doesn't hear his human sneaking up on him when he has his head in the garbage can, Sport doesn't have any problems with being deaf.

A little time and love and you won't know your dog is deaf either!

Remember! — Keep them close!
A deaf dog can't hear your warning about cars or less-than-friendly dogs,
keep them on a leash unless you are in a completely fenced area.
It's much better to be safe than sorry!

Here are some ideas and references if your pet is
hard of hearing.

Tell them you love them
One of the first signs Sport learned was "I love you" which also stands in for "good boy". It's easy to teach this hand signal to your dog.   First, pick a hand signal to mean "I love you".

Sport recognizes the American sign language symbol for "I love you". Thumb, pinkie and index finger out with the two remaining fingers bent down.

Michigan State University Communications and Technology Lab has a wonderful site showing show a wide variety of American Sign Language gestures

Now, here's the fun part!
Alternate showing your dog the signal, and doing something he likes. Signal . . . pet . . . signal . . . dog treat . . . signal . . . hug . . . signal . . . pet ... you get the picture, and your dog will too! Before too long, you'll be able to give the hand signal and get a wag in return.

Deaf Dog Web Sites
Deaf Dog Education Action Fund This is the mother of all deaf dog sites. 
Do check it out!

Lindsay Patten's page:  www.kiva.net/~lindsay/deafdogs

Dr. George Strain's site on deaf dogs and cats

Chief Kelly the fire-fightin' deaf Dalmatian.

Although primarily for deaf humans, seach www.DeafBase.com/for "dog" for interesting new links

Deaf Dog Mailing List
You can find information on the disabled dog mailing list (which includes deaf dogs) at http://www.onelist.com/community/DisabledDogs

Alaska and Me
Alaska is a 14 mo. Great Dane. When she was a pup we went to training and were told that she might respond well to training and that she might not do well at all.  To make a long story short she did well, as a matter of fact she did so well she was the class valedictorian and received a free-be to regular obedience training class. Now Alaska goes to the local retirement home and lets herself be mauled by all the folks there.Deaf dogs are great!!!!

A Super Star
I have 2 Akitas, one of which was born deaf.  She doesn't know she is deaf. Her name is Star. She is a very smart dog and is a great guard dog. Star watches my hearing dog Baily and when she sees Baily's ears perk up and Baily starts to bark, Star joins in. She is the most wonderful and sweet dog. I saved her from being put down at 5 weeks and have had her ever since. I would never give her up.