Looking for your very own Hearing Ear Dog to train? Read on! After reading and agreeing to my 10 Steps below, it should guarantee you a wonderful Dog and provide you with a lifelong rewarding experience!
A healthy communicative relationship with any dog brings you beautiful memories...
FACTSHEET ON ADOPTING A HEARING EAR DOG
(For you to privately train and/or hire a private trainer):
Purebred or mixed, big or small. Any age or sex.
From breeder or shelter or private.
Can be free or costly. Sometimes a breeder or other sources may donate a puppy or dog to you, if you mention looking for a Hearing Dog that you plan to train for yourself.
Any age, though the younger and the more raised by you, the better trainability.
Be very comfortable with any noise and all living creatures (people, animals, reptiles, etc.).
Ability to handle public lifestyle if you plan to take out and about in public.
By current federal law (which supercedes all state laws), ID and/or certificate are not required as proof but would put you at ease and save your time whenever you're approached or accosted. A cape is also optional. For a nice 'official' (not a certificate) ID, I got mine from the Delta Society . They do not affix a photo on it, but I highly recommend that you put on a photo of yourself with your Hearing Dog. The ID explains the rights of all Hearing Dogs.
Annual booster shots. Rabies shot varies by region but highly recommended if traveling abroad. Health certificate is not required. Neutering/spaying is very highly recommended. Must be kept healthy and fed high-premium brand dog food, in accordance with breed/mix. Visit your veterinarian (annually recommended) to be sure your Hearing Dog is in tip-top shape.
Completely housebroken. However, accidents CAN happen because you and your Dog's schedules vary at times. Be a hygienic law-abiding citizen and wipe or pick up and discard properly.
Well-behaved and controllable both at home and in public at all times. Please set an example that your Hearing Dog appears to be and acts as your assistance Dog and not some rowdy pet. No barking or jumping or sniffing or chasing others. By carrying your ID and/or verbalizing that your Hearing Dog is working for you shows that your Dog "passed your training test" with flying colors, thereby verifying that your Dog is very qualified to accompany you anywhere without disturbing others directly (such as "lifting leg"). 6" leash must be on at all times (doesn't have to be orange). Make sure you have a general tag and/or other personal information, should you and your Dog get separated in public. I attach a mini duffel bag to Beau's harness, where I store personal information, his collar with tags, handout copies about Assistance Dogs, and a couple of doggie biscuits. Best of all, why not have your Dog tested for the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Contact the American Kennel Club/CGC for the tester in your area. If you pass, you will earn a yellow certificate and sometimes, a tag. Your Dog will importantly earn a title next to its name like a college degree: "Fido, CGC"!
Basic obedience training (sit, down, down/stay, etc.) is a MUST before you train your dog to respond to sounds for you. Sounds such as alerting/signaling you to the phone ringing, your baby crying, the alarms, the doorbell, somebody calling your name, etc. etc. You may either use a training class where your puppy or dog can practice interacting/socializing with other puppies or dogs, or hire a private trainer, or do it entirely yourself. In concluding, PLAY PLAY PLAY with your Hearing Dog at home. Fetch, tickle, whatever. Your Dog deserves love/hugs AND funtime!!
Back to Hearing Ear Dog Law Information Center™
© 2002 Karen CataliotoNote: my 10 Steps is to my best of knowledge based on my own experience with my first Hearing Ear Dog, Beau. Any suggestions, please e-mail me.)
My "Beau, CGC,TDI", a Shih Tzu whom I self-trained since he was 3 months old! I adopted him from a private breeder.
e-m-a-i-l u-s!
