It may take some time for a blind animal to feel safe walking in strange places, but most will learn with time. The primary challenge with deaf dogs is that their owners cannot guide or signal to them verbally. Deaf animals can learn to follow commands, however. They can be trained using a combination of eye contact, facial expressions, touch, and hand signals. Some deaf dogs can even learn to understand elements of American Sign Language.
Owners can also communicate with deaf dogs through touch and vibration.
Pet owners use a lot of creative methods to call their deaf dogs, including remote control vibrating collars, stomping on the floor indoors to cause vibrations, and flashing a flashlight or the reflection from a hand mirror. Dr. Downing tells the story of Shadow, a German shepherd born deaf and without eyes. Even without sight and hearing, he communicates well with his human family. He tears around and around in a tight, two-foot circle, having learned not to run into the furniture. Three-legged pets One of the most visible pet disabilities is a missing limb.