How To Care For a Deaf Dog
The thought of taking care of a disabled pet can be daunting, and it can have its challenges. However, you and your dog can still have a good quality of life. Deafness can happen at any age for dogs, they can even be born with it, so how do you help a dog who is deaf or one that is becoming deaf?
What Causes Deafness in Dogs?
The most common cause of deafness in dogs is a result of aging. As your dog becomes a senior, it is common for them to lose some hearing, possibly even becoming completely deaf. They may begin to struggle to hear you and follow commands.
Dogs can also lose their hearing if they get hit in the side of the head, suffer a head trauma, or if they suffer from chronic ear infections. All of this can damage the delicate structures in the ear and result in hearing loss.
Another form of deafness is when dogs are born deaf. This is known as congenital deafness. It can happen to any puppy, but is especially common in all-white breeds or dogs with blue eyes. There is a connection between deafness and coat pigment, but not all pigmented dogs will be affected.[1]
If you suspect you have a deaf dog, or they are losing their hearing, take them to a vet. A vet may be able to perform a hearing test to determine the level of hearing loss. Some causes of deafness may be treatable, or a vet may be able to stop the condition from getting worse.
Caring For a Deaf Dog
Compared to hearing dogs, a deaf dog will soon learn to pay careful attention to the world around it. They will rely more on visual cues and scents to make their way. Not much has to change, but you can make it a little easier on them.
Be Considerate
This may sound strange, but you need to remember that your hearing-impaired dog can’t hear you coming. This means you may have to get their attention before touching them or waking them to avoid startling them.
If they are asleep, you can try gently tapping the ground near them or blowing on them to let them know you are coming.
A deaf dog may also not be able to hear you calling them, so you will have to be patient when waiting for them. You can try to teach them some hand signals so that they know what you want from them.
You will also need to ‘be their ears,’ so if your hearing impaired dog is being barked at aggressively or is in another situation they don’t understand, it is your responsibility to get them out of there. Dogs mostly communicate through body language, but it is a good idea to monitor anyway.
Pay attention to your body language, too. Touch is important to deaf dogs, and making touching and petting a positive experience is vital to them. Try to avoid touching them when angry or upset. They won’t be able to hear your words and tone of voice reassuring them.
Safety
Compared to hearing dogs, the biggest adjustment is going to be ensuring your deaf dog is safe.
Consider getting them a personalized tag that lets strangers know they are deaf. This can be as simple as a little flag attached to their harness. This will stop people from startling them or getting frustrated. Make sure guests, especially children, know about your deaf pup and will not harass or touch them suddenly.
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Your deaf dog is also more at risk when walking, since they will not be able to hear cars or aggressive dogs. Consider walking your deaf dog at a more quiet time of the day when there is less traffic, and train them to wait for you instead of pulling ahead.
It is a good idea to opt for a harness instead of a collar, since it will give you more control to get your dog away from a dangerous situation. It also has the benefit of making them more visible to cars. Non-pull leashes are probably your best option.
If you would like to see some no-pull leash options, consider Sparkpaws’ Comfort Control No-Pull Dog Harness.
Some deaf dogs do not bark as much, so attaching a bell to your dog’s collar to let you know where they are can help you keep track of them.
Keep a Good Routine
Keeping a consistent routine for meals, walks, and bedtime will help your deaf dog feel more secure. It will also help you if they know when to seek you out, instead of spending a lot of time trying to get your deaf dog’s attention.
Keep Them Engaged With Scent-Based Objects
A deaf dog should be able to take part in most games, such as fetch or tug-of-war, but you can help with their enrichment by using more strong-smelling objects.
For example, a treat puzzle ball may be more stimulating than a squeaky toy for a deaf dog. You can also try some scent-based games to keep them happy. For example, you can hide scent based treats around the house in a game of hide-and-seek.[2]
Your deaf dog may also enjoy (on leash) hiking or trail walking - since it engages all the senses.
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Training Your Deaf Dog
Some people would tell you that training a deaf dog is impossible or a waste, but that is simply not true. While they may not come when you call them, deaf dogs can still benefit a lot from training, and it is your responsibility as a dog owner to make sure they are safe and well behaved.
You need a lot of patience to train a deaf dog - this is largely because it can be difficult to get and hold their attention. Keep training sessions short so that they will be able to concentrate and remember it better.
Training a deaf dog is similar to training a hearing one, you will need to use positive reinforcement training, normally with treats or pats, to get them to remember and respond to your command. You will need to train them with hand signals instead of commands, which can take longer to grasp.
Make sure you stick to whichever hand signals you choose for each command and that the rest of your household knows them, too. The hand signals should be simple and distinct - such as a wave to call them over or a firm downward motion to ‘sit.’[3]
Old dogs who are slowly losing their hearing can be trained by showing them a signal alongside their usual command, using the verbal command less and less until they get it.
Training can be especially important for deaf dogs since the need to call them quickly or make them stay can be vital for their safety.
Conclusion
There are a number of reasons why your dog can become deaf, including aging, disease, accidents, or birth defects. While you may have to make some adjustments, your dog can still have a good quality of life.
The biggest changes will be being more considerate of your dog by making sure they aren’t startled easily, know where you are, and are protected from dangers they can't hear. You can make sure they’re safe by keeping your yard fenced, monitoring their behavior with other dogs, or getting a harness for walks.
You may need more sight and scent based toys and games, including other activities. You can also still train your dog, using signs instead of verbal commands.
Taking care of a deaf dog can have its challenges, but there are still mountains of fun to be had with both you and them. Try to be patient as your furry friends adjust, and you will be having a great time in no time.
Happy Walking!
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