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For a person who has just discovered their dog is deaf or is considering adopting a deaf dog, you may be faced with direr warnings from family and friends.
In reality deaf dogs are just your normal dog with one small defect. With knowledge, love, consideration and training you and your deaf dog can lead a happy life together.
The main cause of deafness in dogs is related to unpigmented skin in the inner ear. This causes the nerve endings to atrophy and die in the first few weeks of a puppies life, resulting in loss of hearing.
Ear infections, ear injury, exposure to loud noises, certain drugs and old age can also cause deafness.
Dogs can have Bilateral Deafness affecting both ears or Unilateral Deafness with loss of hearing to only one ear.
The only sure way to determine deafness in dogs is a BAER test. BAER, pronounced “ bear” stands for ,” Brainstem Auditory Evoking Response”. This test uses computers to record electrical activity of the brain in response to sound stimulation. Since the BAER test is expensive most owners use simple tests recommended by their veterinarian or trainer.
SIMPLE AT HOME TESTS FOR DEAFNESS
1. Jangle keys, a baby rattle or bag of coins
2. Squeak a toy behind the dogs back.
3. Call your dog in a normal voice, then try yelling.
4. Clap you hands.
5. Whistle, blow a whistle or use a dog whistle.
6. Turn on a vacuum cleaner
7. Bang two pots together.
8. Ring a bell or have someone ring your doorbell.
Remember you may get a different response from a dog that is unilaterally deaf or one that can hear very low or high-pitched sounds. But if your dog does not respond to normal everyday sounds at normal volumes chances are he is deaf.
LIVING WITH AND CARING FOR A DEAF DOG
Deaf dogs learn to compensate their lack of hearing by developing a strong reliance on visual commands and their sense of smell. Even hearing dogs can be trained to follow hand signals or commands and so can a deaf dog. The challenge for owners is to learn to use hand signals correctly and consistently to build an effective and trusting relationship with their dog.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. Touch Sensitivity : Deaf dogs are very sensitive to touch. This is usually the result of owners grabbing then to gain their attention. Use a favorite treat to reinforce that touching is good. Give the treat at the moment you touch the dog and they will pair it with a good happening.
2. Easily Startles : They startle easily at the approach of a person or another dog. Try to position yourself so your dog can see you. Stomp your foot or some other action the dog can identify with someone approaching. A startled dog may snap or bite out of fear unless they are desensitized.
3. Separation Anxiety : Some deaf dogs panic when left alone. Leave your dog with an activity while you are gone or leave on a TV or lights. The visual activity from the TV or lights can be a comfort.
4. Recall : Since your dog can not hear you call or danger approaching they must be kept on a leash when not in a confined safe area.
5. Do No Harm : Never use physical correction this risks creating fear, confusion and distrust. A frightened dog will snap or bite. Always use positive reinforcement training. Remember the touch from your hands must be a gentle and positive means of communication.
SIMPLE HAND SIGNALS FOR YOUR DEAF DOG
1. Good Dog : Thumbs up.
2. Sit : With palm forward at your side, raise your arm straight out and bend your elbow at the wrist then raise your hand and palm to your shoulder.
3. Down : Palm forward at your side, raise arm straight out and over your head with index finger point to floor.
4. Stay : Raise palm forward to waist height.
5. Wait : Hold thumb and index finger apart and inch them closed.
6. Go : Spin one index finger.
7. Come : Sweep arm out and back toward your body at waist height.
8. No : Wag your index finger.
These are only a few of the hand signals used for deaf dogs and they can be chained together to create different commands.
As you can see deaf dogs and their owners can have a happy and fulfilled life. Outside of their obvious physical defect they are normal loving dogs and wonderful companions.
If you think you have what it takes, open your heart and share your life with a deaf dog. The experience will change you forever.
Liked it
giftarist
On August 22, 2010 at 6:39 pm
Never knew that dogs could have hearing loss. A great and helpful share, friend.
Kaye TM
On August 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Interesting piece. Tnx for the share. I heard about deaf dogs and never thought of them until now. This is nice!
Goodselfme
On August 22, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Excellent information and a great list of helpful tips for the deaf dogs. Thank you
GodsGrace
On August 23, 2010 at 12:09 am
Amazing news ffor me
Jenny Heart
On August 23, 2010 at 12:48 am
Great tips!
R.B. Parsley
On August 23, 2010 at 1:36 am
Pam,
This is a very informative article.Its easy to tell you did your research on this. Years ago my aunts dog, Usie, went deaf in her old age. Would you believe she lived to be twenty five.. She was a Border Collie. My aunt used to use some of these little tricks to check her hearing. You put a lot of thought into this article. I’m going to Bookmark this. Great article, Pam.
Randy
PSingh1990
On August 23, 2010 at 6:56 am
nice one..
thanks for share.
Starpisces
On August 23, 2010 at 11:44 am
well written….. poor dogs.
Sourav
On August 23, 2010 at 12:39 pm
Excellent information! Good write.
Milton H Peebles III
On August 23, 2010 at 12:51 pm
I had a deaf white Persian cat when I was a teen. He never responded to sound, but he could feel the floor vibrate when you stomped and the vacuum cleaner fascinated him cause it also vibrated the floor. He was a show off and very lovable. I wouldn’t mind having another deaf cat like him.
Take Care, DreamSweet and Let Your Heart Shine
~ milty
mkd1788
On August 23, 2010 at 2:06 pm
very useful suggestions you have shared…really good..
carissimi
On August 23, 2010 at 6:29 pm
thanks for the information
Ruby Hawk
On August 23, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I had never thought about dogs being deaf but of course they could be.
papaleng
On August 24, 2010 at 10:11 am
great share, now I fully understand what is a deaf dogs and how to deal with them
akira14
On August 25, 2010 at 6:59 pm
wow what a nice article, i never knew that there is deaf dog,i only learned from this article.
Tulan
On August 25, 2010 at 9:54 pm
poor things, they can’t tell you.
fishfry aka Elizabeth Figueroa
On August 26, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Great article, I had a friend with a deaf dog, and after learning how to deal with it, the two of them lived happily ever after.
You wrote a great, interesting, full of facts article that I found truly enjoyable. I am a total dog lover, caring for all sorts of dogs.
zulfiqarali5
On August 29, 2010 at 6:09 pm
very cute puppy thanks nice share very helpful for them have dog as pet i also love pets so according to me nice piece of work ! thanks also chk my articles tooo !
Likha
On September 2, 2010 at 3:01 am
This is a heartwarming piece for the love of animals especially those with disabilities. Liked it.
bryeunade
On September 3, 2010 at 5:11 am
A touching story.Pets shouldn’t be taken granted especially if the require extra care. Beautiful article
blonde
On September 3, 2010 at 2:58 pm
great informative piece
Glynis Smy
On September 5, 2010 at 9:59 am
Awww, the little dog at the top of my lane is blind and deaf. He bumbles around with an old shoe in his mouth. He is content and healthy.
CA Johnson
On September 9, 2010 at 8:18 pm
This was a very informative article. I didn’t realize that dogs could be deaf too. I really learned something from your article.
jacqui
On September 14, 2010 at 2:49 am
i am a dog breeder.I have recently had a litter of pups here and have just sold one of our gorgeous pups last thursday at 12 weeks old.She has been a favourite in our household and has been played with and cuddled alot therefore has been inside with us alot also.
Today i had a phone call from the new owner saying the pup is deaf.
I am quite taken back by this and althoug i cant say she isnt deaf, she most definately responded to us when with us.She came when called,loved to play with a squeeky cat toy and when we squeeked it she would come running.She also used to hid way way under the deck and i had to call her out quite often and always came when called puppy puppy.
The new owner came originally with less cash than advertised and wanted a huge discount.I had already discounted them by almost half of what i normally sell them for and i also breed from request for pet shops.I dont sell them to them this time due to certaincircumstances in our home.
The women has asked for a quite large discount which i am unsure of what to do as i cannot believe the pup is deaf as to my comments above.
The women has taken the pup to the vet whom i have also contacted in between times today and he cant say if the pup is actually deaf or not and would need to take her word for it.
If the pup has responded to all the usual sounds with us how can i believe her now as i feel she is just after her money back from the impression she first gave us when taking the pup.
But if the pup is actually deaf and has suffered some trauma under her care which is something i could bnever find out or not or whether the pu has always been infact deaf and we are imaginging everything about the pup we have had for 12 weeks in our care would this be worthy of being discounted?
I have sold my pure bred fox terriers with all worming flea treatments and vaccinations for $250.00 i normall ysel them for $450.00 i have sold them for less as i have a medical condition that could leave me dead so i wanted them sold quicker but it has been a slow season so i reduced them.I dont feel i should be giving the pup away!! She was the pick of the litter and has an awesome personallity.She shows no signs of aggresivenesss, no startling doesnt run in circles or falls over does respond to squeeky toys and comes to her name puppy when out of view.
What do you think i should do?
The vet cant say for sure if she is deaf either.The woman says she is deaf the vet says give her a few days to see if she responds to anything.But she did here.
I am really gobsmacked and hope others can help me on this,
I do act responsibly with my dogs and pups and if there wasw anything wrong with them i would act accordingly but in this case noone cane confirm is she is deaf or not,
Please help.The lady does not want to bring the pup back either and wants to keep her.
earthlyjewels
On September 17, 2010 at 3:51 am
This is nice! I had a dog that was a little hard of hearing but I don’t think he was completely deaf.
Thanks for the post.
Freethinking
On April 3, 2011 at 8:22 am
Wow, I was just the 164th person to like your article. You really gave the reader an insightful look at hearing impaired and deaf dogs. Thankfully none of the dogs I have ever owned suffered from deafness, although at times they have acted that way. lol