Some puppies are born deaf, but that doesn’t prevent them from learning. They just need to be trained in a way they understand.

One of the first things to teach a deaf puppy is not to bite when startled. Waking the little guy up and offering a treat will teach a pup that good things happen when you’re awakened. Deaf dogs also heed vibrations, so stomping on the floor as you approach can give a dog fair warning.

Hand signals, instead of verbal commands, are used to train deaf dogs. The signals don’t have to be complicated, just consistent — with each representing a specific command. For example, getting a deaf dog’s attention might entail waving an arm or blinking a flashlight.

Finally, attaching a bell to a deaf dog’s collar will help his human know his whereabouts — without bothering the dog in the process.