My husband used to own a deaf blue tick hound dog, she hunted coons, she was truly amazing, and funny. It didn't seem to stop her from doing anything, she hunted, and done what she wanted. We had no problems with her at all.

I had a blind pekingnese too, the vet told me to just not move the furniture around, he done really great, knew where the door was, he had a certain area, he went out to do his pottying, he knew where his water and food was. The gate got left open somehow, and he managed to get out the gate, but he was just walking around in a circle. He was so sweet.

They may have had their disabilites, but they done just fine.

I think it is a good idea, when I have taught my dogs obedience, I have always used the hand signals too, so they knew what to do either way. So I say go for it, if that is what you want to do.

Willie