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.
Instead of using a clicker, you can use a simple hand sign or signal. The more simple, and the easier it is to repeat, the better. A thumbs up is my preferred signal (some people like to use signals from sign language). Make sure you have your dog's attention, then give them a thumbs up, followed by a treat.
I go outside and do short recalls with the deaf dog by just using a 6-foot leash. I let the puppy or dog become distracted by whatever is going on outside and then wiggle the leash, and when the dog turns in my direction and makes eye contact with me, I give the come sign.
With a deaf dog, the verbal avenue is not an option. Communication needs to focus on the visual sense instead. What is most important is to be careful and deliberate with hand, face, and body movements.
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. You never know when it will come in handy. Lastly is the issue of identification.
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.
Puppies who are deaf may seem slow to learn; they do not respond to their names or pick up verbal commands. Older dogs with acquired deafness may sleep through your arrival home from work. A few simple tests can check a dog's hearing at home: rattle your keys.
Helpful Tips. 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.
Don't let your dog outside without a leash or supervision
You may also need to limit outdoor time to on-leash adventures for sneaky or escape-prone dogs. "A deaf dog can't hear 'come', so a leash is really important and should always be used outside," says Crittenden.
Training a deaf dog takes some additional patience but is quite similar to training any other pup once you get the hang of it. There are a few other challenges that owning a deaf dog can pose in your day-to-day life. Deaf dogs startle more easily.
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.
Deaf dogs can be easily scared, so it's important to approach them and adjust their care to help them feel as safe as possible. Always give your dog plenty of time to see you before touching or stroking them, so they know what to expect.
At the end of the day, it's important to remember that hearing loss does not have to hinder your pup's quality of life. As Webb puts it: "Deaf dogs can live happy, healthy, long lives and make great companions.
Yes, your dog can learn sign language
He paces non-stop unless given direction.
Some of the most commonly affected breeds are Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Australian Cattle Dogs, English Setters, English Cocker Spaniels, Boston Terriers, and Parson Russell Terriers. Congenital deafness has been found in over 80 different breeds, but it may be found in any breed.
Home tests for deafness
Clapping your hands is a great way to detect deafness in your dog, but it's best to do it whilst standing further away. 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.
Mark and Reward Training
You might be surprised to learn that clicker training will work with a deaf dog. Although they can't hear the noise of a clicker, you can mark a behavior with almost anything. And the true strength of clicker training is marking the behaviors you want your dog to repeat.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on the individual dog's personality. However, some people believe that deaf dogs may be more clingy because they cannot hear their owners' voices and may feel isolated.
I typically notice age-related hearing deficits or total deafness beginning late in a dog's life, typically at 12 to 15 years of age. I usually find the hearing loss is not complete, as the dog may hear certain high-pitched such as a doorbell ringing or a fork hitting a metal food bowl.
Some deaf dogs sleep longer and more deeply than hearing dogs; so it's paramount to wake your dog gently (especially new puppies).
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.
Being deaf in both ears causes more significant problems and most owners notice that their dog does not respond to noises - the opening of doors, the fridge, food packages, calling their name etc. and fail to respond to noisy people, animals and machinery.