Golden Retriever As A Hearing Dogs Or Signal Dogs

Hearing dogs are trained to alert the deaf to sounds important for daily and home life. These are actually service dogs for hearing impaired and deaf people.

They may also be referred to as hearing ear dogs, hearing assistance dogs, signal dogs or hearing assist dogs. So what breeds of dogs can do this important job?

Just about any breed of dog can be trained for this career, actually. The breed is not as important as the dog's temperament.

A good candidate has an eager willingness to work. He is quick to respond to sound and commands, and has a high energy level. He must be good with people, intelligent, and manageable. He cannot be aggressive with other dogs or cats.

Since he'll have the right to public access, he will need to be calm in crowds and able to handle stress and noise when put in new situations.

Hearing dogs also need confidence and initiative because, unlike many service dogs, they don't wait for a command. It's up to them to take action, using their own judgment and experience.

They need to decide which sounds matter (a knock at the door) and which ones don't (a knock at the neighbor's door).

Golden Retriever dogs are a favorite because their calm, friendly temperament makes them devoted, eager-to-please partners.

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) raises purebred Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever puppies for their hearing dog program.

Guide Dogs for the Blind provides career change dogs to other groups. Although becoming a guide dog was not in their future, they make wonderful hearing dogs.

Many groups have discovered that through careful screening before adoption, they can find all the dogs they need in animal shelters.

Lots of these unwanted dogs have the perfect qualities. They are happy, eager, alert, curious and loving. They're blessed with people-pleasing personalities and endless energy.

Just as important, the dogs selected get a second chance at life and a new beginning.

Each canine candidate undergoes a thorough evaluation designed to test the animal's curiosity, temperament, stability, and trainability.

Those accepted for training then proceed to the veterinarian for a thorough medical examination including blood work, vaccinations and spaying or neutering if that hasn't been done yet.

What Sounds Do They Alert To?

Some of these sounds may include:Hearing dogs are trained to recognize and alert to many different sounds.

• Doorbell
• Knock at the door
• Oven timer
• Microwave buzzer
• Smoke detector
• Fire alarm
• Burglar alarm
• Alarm clock
• Dryer buzzer
• Telephone
• Breaking glass
• Crying baby
• Whistling teakettle
• Dropped keys and coins
• Horn honking in driveway
• Forklift backup alarm
• The deaf person's name being called
• Absolutely any sound, really

Hearing Dogs Training Program

Most dogs enter the program at 8 months to 3 years of age.

Mastering basic obedience training, socialization, public access manners, and sound work can take from 6 months to a year or more.

The length of time depends on how many sounds the dog needs to learn for a particular recipient. They are trained to make physical contact with a paw or nose nudge to alert their deaf partners. Then they lead them to the source of the sound.

Most commands are taught with hand signals so the dog can work with either verbal commands or hand signals.

Individualized Training

Once a hearing dog completes the training program, he is placed with the applicant who is the best match.

Each dog is selected with the lifestyle of his new master in mind, matching his canine skills and personality with his partner's needs. Some groups perform in-home interviews to help them make better matches.

A professional trainer personally delivers the happy graduate to his new home and works with the team for several days.

During this time, he teaches the recipient how to maintain the dog's training to ensure a good working relationship.

He also uses this time to customize the dog's training, teaching him to respond to additional sounds specific to the household. It's not unusual for hearing dogs to learn more than 100 commands and signals.

After placement and successful completion of a suitable probation period, the dog is certified and receives a special bright orange collar and leash.

He also receives a certificate and an official I.D. card identifying him as an official hearing dog for the deaf. They sometimes also wear a cape or jacket, which may or may not be orange.

Legal Issues

Certified hearing dogs are extensively socialized and obedience trained so that they are dependable in public as well as in the home.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), they are allowed in all public places, as well as on all planes, trains and buses. They have the same access privileges as guide dogs.

Some dogs receive a shorter training period, becoming home hearing dogs only. They do not have certification for public places and only work with sounds in the home.

How Much Does a Hearing Dog Cost?

It generally costs anywhere from $2,500 to $20,000 to train and place a dog, but most programs are operated by nonprofit organizations which use donations to fund their operations.

That's why, with the exception of a small application fee, most organizations place these special dogs free of charge to qualified applicants. So for all that money, what does a deaf or hearing impaired person receive?

Besides being ears for their human partners, hearing dogs give their owners a greater sense of freedom and renewed self-esteem.

Just being nearby helps their partner feel safer. And on top of all that, they provide a lifetime of loyal companionship and unconditional love.

Priceless!

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