Show Physical Affection
If your dog lies down, and you pat them on the head, this is a sign of approval. Eventually, they'll figure out that a pat on the head means a good job and will repeat the good behavior more often. Treats, snuggles, and pats are all great ways to let your deaf dog know that you care.
Sometimes you can get your deaf dog's attention via vibrations. Tapping or stomping on the floor may make create a vibration large enough to attract your dog's attention. Once your dog looks at you, mark and reinforce that attention. In addition, waving hands or arms at a distance can gain your dog's interest.
When cueing a deaf dog for attention, have a number of signals to use in a variety of situations. The signals should all mean, "Hey, look at me." Attention cues that are used often include a rump tap, gentle pressure in the collar, a waved hand, a flickering room or porch light, and a stomp on the floor.
Separation Anxiety is when deaf dogs are left alone unattended and they become destructive. If you leave your deaf dog alone and your deaf dog proceeds to urinate, defecate, barks non-stop, digs up floors and rugs, chews up furniture, or tries to escape his crate, then there is a strong possibility your dog has SA.
It's important to remember that deaf dogs sleep very deeply, so always wake them gently to avoid startling them.
Deaf dogs do not need a hearing companion as a guide. The personality of the individual dog will determine whether another pet in your home is desirable. If your deaf dog is amenable, however, a furry friend with great dog skills can be a wonderful mentor.
This training consists of putting the deaf dog on a leash, having a pocket full of high value treats, and every time the deaf dog makes eye contact with you, marking the correct behavior with an open flash of your hand or a thumbs up sign (instead of the sound of a clicker) and then immediately treat, treat, treat.
Their hearing capabilities are slightly different to ours; our hearing frequency being 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz whilst a dog's is 40 Hz to 60,000 Hz. This means that they can hear sounds at a higher pitch, a prime example being a dog whistle; undetectable to humans but excruciatingly clear for dogs.
It is important to remember that a deaf dog can do just about everything a hearing dog can! The only difference is that you communicate through hand signals and body language versus a verbal command. They play with toys, go for walks, give cuddles, do obedience training, and everything in between!
Although they require a shift in technique, they aren't much more of a commitment than any other dog. You need to teach them basic obedience, just as you would with a dog who can hear, and with a few other lessons like focus and startle resistance, your deaf dog can understand and obey you with ease.
Dog Hearing Loss: Causes and Symptoms
As your dog loses his hearing, you might find him “ignoring” your cues, such as not sitting when asked or failing to come when you call him. Or he may seem confused by his surroundings or by your requests.
Nothing ever gets a good dog down. As a veterinarian, I've seen it time and time again: dogs with handicaps find a way to not only cope but to live joyously. How others see them doesn't matter.
If your dog is totally deaf, do not allow him out of a fenced area unless on a leash. Some otherwise deaf dogs can hear certain frequencies such as a shrill dog whistle. If your dog is lucky enough to have this degree of hearing make sure you use this whistle and reward his response.
Home tests for deafness
Because dogs rely on air movement and vibrations to detect any sounds around them, they may be able to pick up on air movement and in turn, respond to your clapping.
In fact, a dog without hearing can be even more loving, as he has learned to rely on his other senses. He will stick closer to you so that he can see your movements and snuggle up close so that he can feel your closeness. Never let deafness in your dog discourage you.
Deaf dogs may bark less than other dogs, and the voice may sound odd. They frequently develop behavior problems because of their inability to understand human communication, and because they may be easily startled or frightened by the unexpected.
Deaf dogs may bark a little louder than other dogs, since they cannot hear themselves. They just bark the only way they know how, which is sometimes loud. Try to ignore the barking or use distraction techniques and reward your dog after a period of silence. Sleeping deaf dogs can easily startle if not woken carefully.
With a deaf dog, the owner must be willing to get up off of the sofa, go over to the dog, get the dog's attention, give a hand signal command for “no,” and redirect the dog to the proper behavior (in this instance, playing with a dog toy instead). This is where consistency becomes important.
Loss of hearing, cognitive dysfunction, central nervous system disorders and medical conditions can all contribute to your dog's excessive vocalization. He might whine or howl if he feels the urge to eliminate more, if he's overeating and wants you to give him more food, or if he's in pain.
Some deaf dogs may become anxious if they find their owner is suddenly gone. Inform your dog when you leave or enter the house by tapping him gently on the back. Approach carefully. Many deaf dogs are easily startled, especially when sleeping.
Senile deafness develops gradually, typically occurring at about 13 years of age. Many older dogs lose their hearing but never become completely deaf; however, the loss that has already occurred is permanent. Temporary deafness is often the result of buildup within the ear canals.
Deaf dogs are just as capable and intelligent as dogs that can hear. They just need a little extra time and patience. You will have to learn and teach your fur-baby the different hand signals. And just like humans that are deaf, their other senses are more sensitive.
There are many benefits to owning a deaf dog, including the fact that noises aren't a distraction to them! While deaf dogs can pick up on the vibrations in their environment, they simply don't have the sound sensitivities that can afflict hearing dogs.