Hiya to everyone who helped me when my gorgeous Bullmastiif Rooney was put to sleep with Lymphoma. I said NEVER again could I go through such pain. Mmmmm well the house was too quiet, too clean and well not the same without a dog. I looked at local breeders and then watched Panorama. What an idiot I thought. I began reseaching local dog shelters. I said if the right dog was there then maybe! I was shown a litter of 10 pups. They were all very sweet, but i was not smitten. I told the shelter I liked bull breeds and size was not a problem. I explained I was a previous Bullmastiff owner. Her eyes lit up as she went on to explain that they had a special boy. He was not in public view as the local Scally wag lads come in to look for them as bull breeds can be a status dog. She told me he was was a deaf American bull dog. He was 6 weeks old. As we looked over the litter of 10 pups with a number of people cooing i felt he was an offering to us. My husband and I asked to see him. He was fab. He was and is very naughty and he did not come without questions from us. We took time played with him, revisited him and decided he was ours. The home check was fine and now he is home with us He is learning quick, he is now 8wks, he has kennel cough and cannot be vaccined for one more week due to antibiotics. We have sought advice and are using conventional methods of dog training. He can sit, spin and give paw in one week. We have a flicker(LED light) instead of a clicker. Mouthing is hard as screaming does nothing and you cannot do anything negatives with hands as that is your future source of communication with him so we need him to focus on hands not be scared of them. I never smacked my old dog and would never smack this one. I keep putting toys to his mouth whilst he is mouthing but he still bites hands and noses lol . I have resorted to time out in the hallway. Any help and advice would be really appreciated as I am not sure this is right. It does calm him tho. I try not to put him in his crate that he loves either as I want him to keep liking it as I want to take him camping in it. Help xxx

Oh, how lovely. Your post brought tears to my eyes.

Have you tried carrying a toy, or something to distract him when he bites? I would think that turning away from him would be a way to tell him that he is doing wrong. As he is deaf then not looking at you would be a punishment, but a kind one. Once he stops biting then you make eye contact again.

Wasn't there someone on here who had a deaf dog? I know there was someone on one of the forums I am on.  Maybe they could help with better info on training a deaf dog.

Good luck with him, it sounds like he has fallen on his feet.

Will PM you.

This may sound odd - but have you tried 'not reacting'.  I know its difficult but it's usually the reaction that they like!  The other trick is to rather than withdrawing your hand/fingers (again, they find that reaction fun!)  ...  to extend your hand/fingers (obviously do not choke or block airway!!) inside his mouth and you'll find he will then reverse or try to spit your had out! Be gentle when doing this.  It is not a punishment!!!