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Dog With Hearing Problems: 9 Ways To Make Your Dog's Life Easier
Deafness or hearing loss in dogs may be due to genetic factors or the result of disease, injury, drug toxicity, or old age. Deaf dogs can function just as normally as those that can hear as long as you take a few precautions. Because your dog has no sense of hearing, he will rely on his other senses to take over. To help your deaf dog manage, try some of these suggestions:
1. Dogs shouldn't run loose, but not allowing a dog to free run is especially important when he can't hear the threat of danger such as oncoming traffic. As a safety precaution, don't allow deaf dogs unrestricted access to the outdoors. And of course when you are outdoors with him, be sure that your leash is secure.
2. Because a deaf dog can't hear you approach, make certain he sees you before you touch him. Touching a deaf dog before he is aware of your presence may cause him to react defensively. Remember that although your loving dog is your best friend, he is also nature's animal and if surprised his instincts may kick in and cause him to snap or bite at you.
3. Use visual clues to get your deaf dog's attention. Hand signals call him to your side when the sound of your voice won't.
4. Try tapping on the floor with your fingers to get him to come to you. The tapping will make slight vibrations that will get your deaf dog's attention. You then could use some sort of hand signals.
5. Instead of clicker training, use a flashlight flicked on and off to obedience-train your dog, or thumbs up and thumbs down signals. This may take some time to train, but it definitely is worth it in terms of maintaining dog obedience.
6. Some dogs that cannot hear most sounds do pick up on high-pitched noises such as those emitted by dog whistles. Try using a dog whistle to call your deaf dog. Yes, they do actually work!
7. To call your deaf dog to dinner or get his attention, flick lights on and off. This goes the same as the above advice on alternate clicker training – but with a flashlight or your home lights.
8. Deaf dogs that are a part of a multi-pet family often take their clues from the actions of other pets in the household. Your deaf dog may like to have a companion to help him along.
9. Discuss with your veterinarian the option of obtaining a hearing aid for your dog. Hearing aids are not appropriate for all animals suffering hearing loss, but your dog may be a candidate if he has some hearing left.
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