Dogs also experience irregularities in their bodies.
Hearing problems naturally occur in some dog breeds due to injury, illness, or due to aging.
But just because they are deaf does not mean they deserve less love, care, and affection from their pet owners.
As pet owners, we are concerned with our deaf furry companions. We tend to be curious as to how we can make them happy. We can ensure that by focusing on their primary needs, such as their safety, and learn how to communicate with them through hand signals.
Deafness Types in Dogs
In the olden times, dogs with hearing problems undergo euthanasia.
But modern family pet lovers have shown that deaf dogs can adapt to living everyday life.
They are also capable of training.
Before we delve into the practical ways of tending for a deaf dog, let us understand the kind of deafness that can occur in dogs.
There are three:
1. Congenital deafness
It is a kind of deafness inherent in dogs the moment they are born.
Though this is the case, congenital deafness is common in dog breeds with markings:
- White
- Piebald
- Merle markings
2. Deafness due to injury or illness
It typically occurs when the pet suffers from sensitivity to loud noises or an adverse reaction to an allergen-induced medication.
3. Deafness due to aging
A typical scenario among dogs that are nearing their life expectancy experience complications with their health, mobility, and hearing.
After knowing what kind of deafness your dog has, consult its veterinarian as to what treatment plan can best address your dog’s problem.
Vets spay-neuter some dogs like the Dalmatians whose deafness is congenital.
The following is the list of dog breeds that are born commonly with hearing issues.
Common Deaf Dog Breeds
- Dalmatians
- Bull Terriers
- Australian Cattle Dogs
- English Setters
- English Cocker Spaniels
Benefits of a Deaf Dog
Pet parents have no reason to worry about taking care of deaf dogs.
They are as resilient and as joyful as the “normal” canines.
You only need to be more considerate and more attentive to their particular needs.
- Deaf dogs are not sensitive to noise.
- They are easy to train.
- They are less likely to turn into aggression, nor are there triggers for them to be aggressive.
Deaf dog facts
- They can understand and decode body language. Even when dogs cannot hear you, continue to talk to your dog and shift your effort more on your body language. Deaf dogs are responsive to a pat on the head.
- They are just regular dogs that cannot hear.
- Deaf dogs experience 20% less aggression compared to their hearing and seeing counterparts.
- Hand signs, physical prompts, and touch training: the many methods pet owners can practice communicating to their pet dogs.
- Contrary to popular belief, deaf dogs bark excessively. Along with chewing foreign objects, spinning, licking itself, and others, excessive barking is a self-stimulatory behavior for dogs with hearing problems.
How to Make Your Deaf Dog Happy?
1. Deaf dogs want your care and attention even more. Interact with them naturally.
2. Your only challenge in taking care of a deaf dog is how to get its attention.
Learn sign language that deaf dogs can understand.
The most common signs out there for deaf dogs are:
- Raising your palm: It signals your pup to stay.
- Pointing your finger to a seat: It encourages it to sit down.
- Wave its leash: It is a signal to your dog that you are taking it for a walk.
- Open arms: It is a sign to show your dog to come near you.
- Raise your index finger: To signal your dog to be quiet or to calm down.
3. When your hound is deaf, only one of all the senses is a problem.
It means that you can still communicate with your dogs, accessing their other senses.
Get its attention when you come home by taking heavier steps than usual.
You are training your hound to be both alert and aware of your presence.
4. As much as possible, keep your dog on a leash. It is a safeguard against car accidents or against the possibility of losing your dog when you are not around.
5. Inform your housemates and neighbors about your pet’s condition. Give your pet the most optimal consideration that its home companions can provide.
6. Take it out on a walk more often and expose it to people and fellow dogs.
7. Tie a collar or an identification tag around its neck.
8. Please do not wake up your deaf dog abruptly when it is asleep.
Although it cannot hear your approaching footsteps, it can feel your vibrations, affecting their sleep quality.
9. Be more careful with your steps and actions around the house when your pet dog is taking its rest.
10. Not all deaf dogs are prone to startling.
It still depends on your dog’s personality type and its physical experiences while living on the premises of your home.
If you notice that your pet is aggressive when startled, as your response, help it unlearn the behavior and control the noise at home.
11. Do not stop talking in your normal voice to your dog. Even though it cannot hear what you are saying, it analyzes your facial expression and body language.
It is a great way to form a bond with your dog that does not require it to hear anything.
The Bottom Line
Dogs with hearing problems are just as normal as other dogs.
Even though they cannot hear, they are still capable of understanding your interaction.
Like an average dog, they crave affection and care.
As the pet owner, you have many options to communicate with your deaf pooch.
It will be quite a challenge but doable.
You can make your deaf dog a happy little pup.