Dog Trainers, do you check for handicaps?

Dog Trainers, should we be checking for undiagnosed handicaps? While most of the dog trainers are not trained to look for select dog ailments and should never replace having your dog checked out by a certified Veterinarian. We believe it is not the dog trainer’s responsibility BUT… Taking some time to run quick tests for blindness or loss of hearing is always a good practice when taking on a new board and train dog.

Sometimes these handicaps go undiagnosed because the dog owner does not always know what to look for and it is very easy to categorize everything in the, “My dog just doesn’t want to listen.” category.

To add to that, it is even easier to attribute all the negative behavior to poor obedience because partial blindness, partial deafness, or deafness can easily go unnoticed. Some puppies are very intelligent or so aloof that these handicaps can be easily missed. Do NOT hold your veterinarian accountable. They are doing their best with the standard workup of making sure your new puppy is getting everything they need in vaccines, a general exam, and let’s be honest. Dogs do not talk and can’t let us know. Everything is through observation and interpretation. Most people struggle observing their spouse’s new hair-doo. Veterinarians have a lot more responsibility and are looking for so many things at once.

Here’s what you can do to help. Doing some quick ball tracking engagement to check for partial blindness at different lengths away from the dog can help identify this. Do not use food or an unwashed toy, they will smell it. You also want to show it to them without your dog hearing you pick it up. You are looking to see if they notice you holding it and moving it from side to side. Start walking closer until you can tell that they have seen it. Do this a few times and for each side of the face to focus on a single eye.

For hearing loss, you can use keys or something that makes a sound to check for partial deafness or total hearing loss. You can use the sound of that item at different sides of their head where their ears are. It is important to not let the dog see what you are doing. And don’t make the noise level so loud that the dog can pick up the sound with their other ear. Do this multiple times to confirm any results.

Some skill level will be required to accomplish this. If you believe there may be an undiagnosed handicap. Don’t start blaming other segments of the dog industry. We are all on the same team. I know some outfits are not always on your team. It’s ok. This is for the dog, that’s in front of you.

Notify the dog owner of what you believe to be your findings. Let them decide if they want to proceed with taking their dog to the Vet to be checked out and keep moving forward.

As a dog trainer, you may be wondering what’s the benefit of even doing this. Here’s why…

If you have an extremely fearful dog that isn’t responding to any of your different methods of working through simple basic training processes. Almost 100% of the time there is a handicap that is causing that huge fear. A dog will not respond to even the simplest of methods in unfamiliar situations if they are struggling with a handicap. They are afraid. Test their hearing. Test their sight. You’ll probably find one of them needing help.

Then you can make adjustments to make the training easier for that dog so you can accommodate their handicap. Keep training dog family! Live life with your dog! We can help!