Training for Disabled Dogs: Proving Every Dog Can Shine
A disability does not make a dog less. I work with blind, deaf, and special needs dogs to build confidence and new communication skills, proving that with the right structure, every dog can thrive.
Shakti is a Great Dane who is both blind and deaf, but she is not less. I am teaching her to navigate the world using her strongest remaining sense: smell. My job is to empower her, show her her strengths, and give her the confidence to shine.
This video shows the successful reintegration of "Puppy," a pitbull, with "Luka," a deaf and blind Great Dane. It was a delicate process of teaching Puppy how to read Luka's unique cues. This demonstrates my ability to manage complex pack dynamics involving special needs dogs.
About Different, Not Less: Training for Disabled Dogs
Training a dog with a disability like blindness or deafness isn't about coddling them. It is about becoming their primary connection to the world through scent, touch, and consistent body language. I do not use pity; I use structure to replace the senses they are missing. It requires you to commit to a new way of communicating, but the reward is a dog that navigates the environment with total confidence.
Many owners assume a blind or deaf dog needs special, soft handling. That is a mistake. These dogs need the same structure, rules, and boundaries as any other animal. Without them, you end up with a fearful, reactive dog. My approach focuses on amplifying their remaining senses. For a blind dog, we focus heavily on scent-based tracking and building confidence on varied surfaces. For a deaf dog, we build a vocabulary of hand signals and vibration training to ensure they understand what you need from them.
Take the case of Shakti and Luka, both blind and deaf Great Danes. They are not 'broken'—they are just communicating differently. Through targeted training, I taught them how to interact with the world and how to exist peacefully within a pack. This is not a quick fix. It is a long-term commitment to understanding how your specific dog perceives the world. If you are willing to put in the work and stop treating your dog like a fragile baby, we can create a partnership that rivals any sighted or hearing dog's capabilities. I do not work with excuses. I work with reality.
Vicky Franklin
I am Vicky. I have spent 15+ years proving that no dog is a lost cause, especially those the world considers 'broken.' I do not see limitations; I see magnificent animals waiting for the right direction. If you are willing to do the work, I will show you how to lead your dog, disability and all.
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