I adopted Blitz, my deaf pit bull terrier, in April 2010 from a local rescue. She was pulled on her last day from the Hartford, Ct shelter where there is such high demand for space they are only given a short 10 day stay to be adopted. While she was in her foster home, it was discovered that she was deaf. I fell in love with her from her Petfinder profile. She was smart, goofy, great with other dogs and loved people. When I inquired about her and found out she was deaf, I took some time to do some research on deaf dogs. I also spoke to friends and trainers and decided it was something I was prepared to handle with time, patience and practice. After a home visit and a trip to get spayed, she became my absolute love.
*Photos above: Blitz loves kitty cat Frankie and she loves to play with other dogs too!
We trained with a behaviorist, which she really excelled at and enjoyed. She knows the commands of sit, stay, down, roll over, shake, other paw, sit up, stand on two legs, and to rest her chin on my knee all with hand signals we made up. A quick thumbs up means good girl, and pursed lips and a finger point means stop. She’s amazingly attentive, and easy to train (roll over only took a day). She loves other dogs, and sometimes I catch her snuggling up with the cat. We’re working on recall, however I never ever take her anywhere off leash to be safe. She is one of the happiest and easiest going pups. She is happy to sprint around a fenced yard, or just go for a stroll and snuggle up under the covers at night. I still talk to her all the time, and she doesn’t seem to mind. Actually for being deaf dog, she’s a great listener.
-Michelle and Blitz (aka Dangus) Middletown, Ct
Note from Editor: This story was submitted by Michelle Bourret of Middletown Ct. Thanks Michelle for sharing your beautiful girl Blitz with Deaf Dogs Rock. According to my deaf dog Nitro, Blitz is a “real looker” …his words not mine ;o)
Love the story and the photos (esp. the one with the kitty!). Love that you didn’t even hesitate to have a deaf dog. My husband will tell folks he prefers deaf dogs since doorbells, barking dogs, and thunderstorms are of no consequence to ours.
Deaf dogs rock!
Warmly,
Amanda
<3 ya Michelle! and Blitz too! so glad you were pulled to her, the world works in such amazing ways! you two were meant to be I know it!
Hey Michelle!
Saw you’re from CT and rescued a deaf dog.. was browsing the site hoping to find someone like you
my husband and I live in CT and adopted a 1 yr old deaf terrier mix very recently. We’re hoping to find a trainer/behaviorist in CT with experience with deaf dogs but haven’t had much luck thus far. Would u mind passing alng the contact info of the one Blitz trained with?
Thanks so, so much!
Julie and Maggie
P.S. Such adorable pics.. She’s a cutie!
I’m not sure if Michelle checks this story often for comments so I don’t know if she will answer you but feel free to ask the same question on our Deaf Dogs Rock Facebook Wall to see if we have some Conn followers who can help. I am sure Michelle follows us on FB and she might see it there. Thanks! Christina Lee – Deaf Dogs Rock
Glad I checked the site! Blitz and I worked with Mary Ellen at Canine Cadre in Wallingford. 203-269-6906. Tell her we say hello and give her a thumbs up (Blitz’s ‘good girl’ sign) for me
Thanks so much for the info! Found a retrained through a friend at work but will certainly keep Mary Ellen’s contact info handy just incase!
Oops.. Trainer