Directing hearing impaired dogs

 

There are a number of reasons dogs are born without hearing or lose their hearing in later life. Breeding can also be the cause of deafness in pups.

Combine hand signals with verbal cues when teaching behaviours or hand signals alone. You should also have a hand signal that specifically means the dog’s name. This will replace calling the dog or so that he knows you are addressing him (especially important in multi-dog households).

Marking eye contact with a reward is a great way to begin your training and before long they will look to you more and more for direction. You can also use a flashlight to send a quick signal at distance.

The least desirable way to wake a dog is by touching it so getting your hearing impaired dog used to touch is highly valuable. This mode of communication will be used for many occasions. You can use the smell of food to help wake your dog, stomp the floor to send vibration or touch your dog (preferably not on the head or face). Some dogs may bite if startled.

Allowing the dog to see you leave the house is better than him just waking and not being able to find you. His collar should have something identifying him as deaf and if possible a bell so you can tell where he is.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)