When we adopted Shadow, we had no previous experience training a deaf dog. Instead of shying away from the challenge, we embraced learning. What we didn’t realize at the time was that Shadow was about to give us a new purpose.
We read books, watched countless YouTube videos, and spoke with other people who had experience with deaf dogs. Even now, we’re often learning right alongside Shadow when we introduce something new. When teaching commands, we frequently look up related signs in ASL and choose one that works best for us. Like with any dog, we adapt our training to fit our lifestyle. Training is never one-size-fits-all for any family.
It took Shadow some time to fully feel comfortable at home. Many people who adopt dogs are familiar with the 3-3-3 rule, and Shadow followed that pattern in many ways. Early on, he was scratching frequently. I had read that deaf dogs can have sensitive skin and may be more prone to allergies, so I began searching for a collar that could be easily washed and sanitized.
We also spend a lot of time on lakes in the summer, so waterproof gear was important. I wanted something comfortable for him, but also something stylish. Every collar I had purchased in the past eventually faded or lost its color. We love to adventure and we live on the side of a mountain, so durability mattered too.
That search led me to a material called Biothane, and I custom-ordered Shadow’s first collar. I immediately loved it. It was everything I had been looking for—durable, waterproof, easy to clean, and it kept its color.
Not long after adopting Shadow, we had a trip planned that had been scheduled before he joined our family. We didn’t want to leave him behind during such an important period while he was still learning to trust us. Shadow also had severe separation anxiety at the time (thankfully that has since improved). Instead of flying, we decided to load Shadow into the car and drive from Colorado to Michigan.
We were still early in our training journey, and we like to take Shadow everywhere with us. To make outings successful, a well-trained dog is essential. At the time, Shadow hadn’t yet learned how to properly walk on a leash. In a busy city environment, that can become frustrating quickly.
Training a deaf dog comes with unique challenges. We can’t rely on verbal cues, and if Shadow isn’t looking at you, he has no idea you’re trying to communicate.
During the trip we spotted an adorable boutique pet shop and decided to stop in. As we browsed, we noticed they carried the same material Shadow’s collar was made from. During our research, we had learned about a specific style of harness that can help teach leash walking, but it must be custom-fit to the dog’s body to work properly. We hadn’t been able to find one that fit the way we wanted.
We shared our idea with the shop owner. She carefully took measurements and began creating what we had envisioned. We returned later so she could remeasure and make adjustments until the harness fit perfectly. It worked exactly how we had hoped.
As we continued training with Shadow, our need for specialized gear kept growing. We began dreaming up new custom designs that would better fit our training needs. Eventually, we decided to buy our own materials and start making the gear ourselves.
And that’s how Style Supply was born.
What started as a search for better gear for one deaf dog turned into something much bigger. Now we want to share what we’ve created with others who love adventure with their dogs as much as we do.