Deaf Dog: 8 Secret Tips To Keep Your Dog Safe
Your deaf dog may require extra supervision to ensure her safety especially when she’s near street traffic and can’t hear a loud horn from a driver who tries to warn your dog to quickly move out of his way, or you need to use hand signals to direct your dog to come for meals… and even worse your dog with loss of hearing may wander outdoors if you’re not careful which could result in fatal injuries if your dog gets hit by a car.
This article gives you 8 secret tips to protect your dog with a hearing loss from harm. Dogs of all ages need your extra care to keep their ears safe from infections and injuries that can affect their hearing.
8 Secret Tips to Care for Your Deaf Dog
- Hearing Range Test – Your dog with a hearing loss may still have a range of hearing. You can test your dog’s hearing with ranges of sound from high to low. Blow a high pitched whistle, clap your hands and hit a small drum to see if your dog reacts. You can use these tools to get your dog’s attention if she can hear any of these ranges. This means you could whistle, clap or use a drum to get your dog to come to you even if her hearing is almost gone.
2. Hand Signals – You’ll have to work with your deaf dog to practice good eye contact and use clear signals to teach her commands like when to sit, come or stop barking. Positive reinforcement with signals instead of treats is the best strategy so your dog doesn’t expect a treat each time she does something correctly.
3. Vibration – A simple way to wake your dog without startling her is to bump into your bed or tap the floor with your shoe. The vibration from these actions will be a much gentler way to get your dog’s attention. Avoid nudging or kicking your hearing impaired dog for any reason because it will make her anxious and nervous around people.
4. Leash – Always keep your deaf dog on a leash when you are out for a walk to keep her safe. You can take off your dog’s leash if you have a fenced in backyard. Make sure someone watches your hearing impaired dog whenever she’s outdoors to protect her from accidents or injuries.
5. Lights – You can use a flashlight to give your dog with hearing loss cues to come for meals or go for walks. Try switching your porch light on and off a few times to get your dog to come to your door if you have an enclosed backyard.
6. Treats – Give your deaf dog treats after you brush her teeth, cut her nails or if she learns a new command. Your deaf dog may respond quicker to training and hand signals when you reward her with treats.
7. Special skills – Your hearing impaired dog may be a perfect candidate as a therapy dog or she may enjoy agility training. Deaf dogs are easy to train and aren’t as distracted by noise which makes them more focused on the task at hand.
8. Patience – Your dog with a hearing loss may need more patience and care because of her disability. Focus on how to use your dog’s sense of smell and touch to keep her happy. For example you could use a peanut butter stuffed Kong to teach your dog to follow you in your house. Your deaf dog will also appreciate your hugs and kisses every day because her need for love and attention through touch may be greater.
Note: Deaf dogs can live a full and active life because they adjust to their hearing challenge better than humans.
Our featured dog is Eddie, a lovable Pomeranian who is deaf and lives in New England with his owners who have adapted very well to his hearing loss.
You’ve just read about the 8 secret tips you can use to help you keep your hearing impaired dog safe. The most important point may be that your dog can enjoy a long and happy life even when she loses her hearing.
Share deaf dogs article with your family and friends so they have information to care for their deaf dog.
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