In the past, most breeders would automatically euthanize puppies who were born with albinism or exhibited any physical defect, such as deafness and/or blindness. This is still the norm for some breeders. However, with the advent of modern veterinary medicine, and with the empathy of those willing to give lifelong care to special needs pets, more and more dogs with special needs can live fulfilling lives.
Raising a blind or deaf dog is challenging. A blind dog must learn verbal cues and their human companions must watch them closely, offering specific sounds to guide them and keep them safe. A deaf dog must rely on visual cues. Because dogs respond quickly to movement, this can be fairly easy to achieve, but may be challenging when the dog is distracted–often by other motion.
Many albino pups are both deaf and blind. This can present a major challenge to their human companions. The two senses we rely on most, vision and hearing, are not available when communicating with a deaf-blind puppy.
Using Canine Language with a Special Needs Puppy
All mammals have 5 senses: Vision, hearing, smell, touch and taste. Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell. In fact, dogs are so well endowed with this sense that trained dogs can be used to detect explosives or narcotics, and are indispensable in search and rescue operations. Dogs have used their noses to save untold numbers of human lives.
Canines use their sense of smell in everything they do, from marking territory to emotional displays.
What Do Dogs Smell?
Dogs can detect the smallest microbe of scent, even if buried beneath numerous other smells. Training a pet dog using the sense of smell is easy in comparison to what a trained cadaver dog must do to locate bodies.
Most dog treats emit strong smells. You can be certain that if you can smell something, the dog smells it! A dog can detect the difference between a corn based biscuit and the higher value of a piece of freeze-dried chicken liver.
Using Scent To Train
Puppies are highly food-motivated. Using their sense of smell when training is easy and the sense of smell is used more than one would think during the training process of any dog, not just those with special needs. It is the scent of the treat that grabs the pup’s attention when using the treat as bait to lure the pup into a position, such as “sit.”
When working with a puppy who is both deaf and blind you will need to bring the bait very close to her nose when you begin. This will help her identify her direction because she will remember the scent and the fact that, when she follows it, she will get to have it. As her training progresses you will not have to hold the “bait” so closely. Just having the treat with you will be sufficient.
Always consider a dog’s strengths instead of his or her weaknesses. Dogs’ sense of smell is among the best in the animal kingdom. Using this ability, they can live long and fulfilling lives even if deaf and/or blind. Knowing how to train your puppy using scent will help you manage and train your special needs dog, creating a lifelong relationship as special as your unique pet.
Related Articles:
Heeling With a Deaf and Blind Dog
Training Dogs Who Have Physical Disabilities
Training a Dog Who Cannot Hear or See