Caring for a deaf dog and giving it the best possible quality of life is not an easy task, but it is not impossible either. The most important thing is to know that deafness is not a rare condition among dogs, so you won't be the only one going through this situation and you can rely on other dog lovers. Studies affirm that 1 in 5 dogs has a hearing problem, partial or total deafness, this means that the race has fewer obstacles because dogs have evolved a lot in this area, relying, in a very natural way, on their other senses. Dogs discover the world first with their sense of smell, then with their eyes and finally with their ears.
Despite prejudices, fears and limitations, having a deaf dog could be better than it seems. It represents a world of new experiences that can teach us to cultivate new qualities in ourselves, such as patience, perseverance, leadership and love. We invite you to read this article on our site about how to take care of a deaf dog, where we will guide you in this new adventure and you will see how your dog's deafness will pass background.
Why is my dog deaf?
Just like in humans, hearing loss in a dog can be caused by many factors. The most common are congenital problems (genetic, chemical or physical) in this case we would say that the dog is deaf from birth.
Other causes could be infections, ear injuries, gradual hearing loss (due to old age), drug reactions, and exposure to loud sounds in dogs that already have sensitive hearing. Hearing loss in both ears is known as bilateral deafness and hearing loss in only one ear is called unilateral deafness.
Deaf dog problems and security measures
The fact that a dog has deafness should not represent a problem for him to have a normal life like any other dog. Feeling sorry for a dog that has this condition does not do him any good, but on the contrary, dogs need harmony, discipline and leadership in their lives. If our dog is deaf, all the more reason, we should exploit his other abilities and in this way, we will achieve a correct emotional balance
When it comes to outdoor safety, many people wonder if they should keep their dog on a leash. The answer will depend a lot on the level of training that the dog has, the relationship of trust that it has with its owner and the place. The situations that could arise will not be the same on a busy avenue, a beach, or a closed park.
If your dog is not trained, it is better to always take it with you. Deaf dogs can't hear approaching vehicles or any other kind of danger, so for their own safety, you better always stay close to them. A good option for your dog to feel that he has a certain freedom and independence is to allow him, for a while, to set the pace during the walk. Release it, only, when they reach an area that is fenced and where you as the owner feel sure that nothing will happen to it
If they are in the middle of a dog training session, make changes at intervals of time, one time without a leash, another with a leash. Don't take him to places that are too wide where he can get too far away, get lost and then not hear your voice back. He remains, always, in the angle of his vision and at night, take a lamp or flashlight with you and get him used to identifying you through it.
Since in many cases he will not be able to bark, put a bell on his collar so that when he moves away from your side you can distinguish his sound. Also include a tag that says "deaf dog" or "I am deaf" with your contact information, so that when other people see it they will be aware of its condition and can contact you if any situation arises.
How to train a deaf dog?
The best and most natural way to train our dog is when he is still a puppy. We will train him through smell and sight and we will promote these abilities, so much so that he does not need the sense of hearing. We are used to communicating with our environment through sounds, but in the case of deaf dogs, we must do it through signs, body language and smells
The first thing is to have confidence in yourself and in what you are doing, and give your dog a strong positive energy. Remember at all times that we want to create an environment of loy alty and security. The goal will be for your dog to feel so attached to you, especially when they are out for a walk, that no matter how loose he is, he is calm, but always keeps you in mind, and at the same time, manages to keep a little of his own animal independence. Training for a deaf dog is practically the same as for a dog with good hearing, only that in the first case, sound indications are limited or even eliminated.
How to communicate with a deaf dog?
A dog can understand (through constant repetition and reward) up to 20 different signs per year. Use signs that are clear and easy to recognize such as: thumbs up or thumbs down to indicate emotions, palm open at their level and in front of their face, to indicate that it must stop and then when it does, open your palm and give way.
Do not approach your dog from behind because he could get scared, Always approach him from the front, so that he sees you at all times. When he's asleep and you want to wake him up, pet him gently and place your hand on his nose so he can identify your scent
Deaf dogs feel vibrations, so you can try hitting (never aggressively) the ground to give them some indication. Another way is to place a vibrating collar, which usually have remote controls, to support body language training, use it as a signal to stop or as the only call indicator, he (if loose) will understand that when the collar vibrates, he should approach you.
If your dog is deaf, all the more reason, we recommend you put heart and effort into training him. All success will depend on your level of involvement and communication with your pet.
