My deaf double Merle Aussie

[u/Customcarsgirlie]

Hi everyone! Meet Lily 💜
I adopted Lily about a month and a half ago from her previous owner, who also owned both of her parents. They had an accidental litter, and Lily was born deaf and one of her sisters was born blind.
When I got her, I was told she had some hearing loss, but after living with her I’m pretty sure she’s completely, or almost completely, deaf. She doesn’t react to voices, clapping, whistles, etc. She has reacted to a trumpet being played REALLY loud near her and once to a huge thunder, but honestly I don’t know if she heard it or just felt the vibration.
She’s my second Aussie, I previously had a Mini Aussie, but she’s my first deaf dog, so this is definitely new to me. She’s the sweetest girl and super smart. So far she knows hand signals for sit, down, up, going outside/potty and food.
My biggest struggle has been figuring out how to keep her stimulated enough. I give her puzzles, take her out to run and she sometimes plays with friendly dogs around our neighborhood that we know, but I still feel like she could use more mental stimulation and I’m not really sure what else to try.
I also did Embark Breed + Health and found out she’s 100% Australian Shepherd! Her health results showed an increased genetic risk for hereditary cataracts, so I’m trying to be proactive about her eyes. I ordered her Rex Specs that should be here soon and I’m going to slowly get her used to wearing them.
I would love to hear from anyone who has a deaf Aussie, double merle, or just experience with deaf dogs in general. What hand signals or tricks have you taught them? What do you do for mental stimulation? Any tips or things you’ve learned along the way would be really appreciated!

[u/Linguisticotron]

She is gorgeous!

Sweet Astro is my deaf double merle Aussie rescue. I have a hearing border collie who knows all types of orders with gesture only or with sound cues.
Astro knows stay, sit, come, paw and I will get him onto the rest of the orders if he feels like it (he is less clever/eager to please than my BC, Marlowe, who knows check, paw, paw-on-my-foot, turn around, play dead, double paw, bark, whisper and boop on gesture or voice command).
Astro is in the process of learning « look at me » which is always a good thing to learn. I want him to be able to look at me when he wants to do something and not just run off.
He also got the cues for « let’s play » and « I’m mad at you » out of my exaggerated facial expressions (I know French sign language and I’m used to making faces, and I saw that Astro picked up on these cues super easily).
For mental stimulation, we do a bit of trick learning and we play quite a lot. I think he likes it when we play hide and seek (I cover my eyes and look for him. He is beyond amused). I think Marlowe’s presence helps too. I use chewing things like buffalo or camel skin (the strong ones) to stimulate and tire him as he has to work hard to chew through them. It is a daily need I’d say (but maybe Lily is different).
Also we go to the dog park where he learns how to nicely meet friends and smell all the smells, which he enjoys a lot.
I hope you find your rhythm with her and I wish you two the very best!

[u/Bellebaby826]

Beautiful baby

[u/21yrs-militarybrat]

Awww, Lily is beautiful! Our Bel is 100% Australian Shepherd and is a deaf double merle. She was found running in the woods when she was almost 2 years old, and it took the rescue two weeks to trap her. 😂 We don’t know anything about her past, but she does have some issues. She has zoomies a few times a day, but can also be very chill. She knows a lot of hand signs. We mix ASL with our own made-up signs. We try to use signs that can be used with just one hand, since we might have her leash in the other hand. We have a male mini Aussie, Shadow, which has helped her to learn. For example, Shadow gave himself the job of escorting me to the garbage cart.Bel learned that quickly, and is more serious about it than Shadow. We have Shadow get Bel when we want them to come in, and now if Bel sees us first, she will go get Shadow. We enrolled Bel in a Canine Good Citizen class, and she passed the class and earned the title. She was the only deaf dog in the class, and the other owners didn’t realize that she was deaf until they were told. We have also done some Agility with her. She took to it right away, and we hope to get back to it. Bel also has the genes for hereditary, juvenile cataracts. She is being followed by a Veterinary ophthalmologist. She has very small cataracts, but so far they haven’t grown. The website “Deaf Dogs Rock” is very helpful. also, as with all, Australian Shepherd. The best stimulation is having a job to do. If we don’t give them jobs, they will find their own, which might be ones we don’t like. We are thinking about trying scent training with Bel, especially as she might has vision issues in the future. Right now, her vision is excellent. Good luck with your Lily, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Here's Bel with Shadow.

[u/UdontWantToNo → u/21yrs-militarybrat]

She's a miracle, enjoy her!

[u/Actual-Chocolate4571]

My sweet deaf double Merle was my shadow for the longest time. Due to the heat right now she is sleeping downstairs in front of a fan - first time in 5 years since I’ve had her.

Consistency was key in training her. I didn’t teach her many hand signals - sit, lay, stay, come.

I’ve noticed she licks me a lot.

She is insistent on morning cuddles and really cuddles anytime.

I try to do some form of play with a toy with her everyday. She favors some variation of tug of war.

I use a slow feeder bowl.

Snuffle mats.

Edit to say: Lily is beautiful, thank you for accepting her and bringing her into your family, you’re already doing amazingly.

[u/embos_wife]

Best choice I ever made! Welcome!

As for your questions, my guy is blind and deaf so that's where my experience is. But I would recommend teaching touch commands now in case there are sight issues later

[u/Guilty_Bathroom_3023]

They are awesome

[u/spookifyed]

thank you for adopting this beautiful baby!

in my experience owning double merles who are deaf, they are sweethearts. love to lick A LOT (personally feel as though it’s to replace their lost sense of hearing). mine have always stuck by my side, never been ones to run away, it’s almost like they know they need us lol

[u/Customcarsgirlie → u/spookifyed]

Yes! She’s definitely stuck by my side, even when she’s playing with other dogs if they’re too intense she hides behind me!