Contributed by Angie Lewis, President of Alaska Animals Advocate
Finding information about dogs who are deaf is so much easier these days, than it used to be 10 or 15 years ago. First of all, how do dogs become deaf? Some puppies are born deaf, which is known as congenital deafness. Others are the result of frequent ear infections, injury, exposure to toxic materials or simply old age.
If you are unsure about whether or not your dog is deaf, wait until she is soundly asleep. Then walk behind her and make a loud noise. Make sure that your dog is not feeling or seeing the item you are manipulating to make a sound. There is a formal test that can offer conclusive results – talk to your vet about this.
Sadly, many dogs who are deaf are considered damaged creatures and they are euthanized. This is completely wrong and unnecessary – your dog simply can’t hear. This does not mean that she cannot experience a full and enjoyable life.
Many dog guardians want to know if deaf dogs can be trained. They certainly can be trained, only using hand signals, rather than words or clickers. You can use a vibrating collar to get your dog’s attention – which can be used much like a clicker. Your dog might be a bit frightened of the vibrating collar at first, but dogs typically adjust quite nicely, particularly if introduced gradually. Basically, when she feels the vibration, she ought to look at you in order to get further instruction. Simply follow the buzz with a treat. From there, you can teach your dog to come to you when she gets buzzed. Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to find collars that can be used solely for vibration. So, you may need to use a shock collar and remove the shocking apparatus.
A trained dog, who is deaf, typically becomes am expert at reading humans’ body language. Be sure to pay attention to your body stance as well. In fact, a deaf dog may misread cues that are similar. Keep your cues distinct and be creative!
Many people want to know if they can let their deaf dog loose. You must always let the dog know where you are. It is wise to have her wear a bell, so that you can hear her whereabouts as well. A vibrating collar does not provide information about your whereabouts. Letting your dog loose is a huge risk, unless you have devoted a great deal of time with training her. In addition, make certain that your dog is microchipped and has a tag with current contact information.
It is a myth that dogs who are deaf tend to become aggressive. Any dog can bite if they are surprised or startled. Wake you dog with hearing issues often, followed by a treat. She will associate being woken up with something enjoyable. If your dog is sleeping, make sure to stomp your foot next to her, so that she is forewarned of your presence. Most dogs who become aggressive are fearful of something.
Your deaf dog can live a totally normal life, with just a few accommodations to keep her safe.
