How do you communicate and deal with a deaf dog? The handicapped four-legged friend does not need pity or special care. What helps him is a caregiver who adapts to his needs and whom he can trust. You can find all the tips in the article.
How to raise a deaf dog
The two pillars of raising a deaf dog are attention and trust. With an attentive four-legged friend, a pack leader can ensure communication at all times. Humans reward their dog’s eye contact profusely and use treats or their favorite toys.
Over time, the deaf dog remembers: “It’s worth looking at my human!”
A flashlight can be useful as an aid when exercising. The owner signals to the dog with a light that he should look at him.
In addition, a dog with congenital deafness has to learn that he can fully rely on his caregiver. This step does not happen overnight. The owner deserves the trust of a dog by showing consistently confident behavior.
Deaf dog: visual signals
“Sit”, “Place” and “Stay”: Most dog owners use their voice to communicate with their four-legged friends. This form of language is not used in dogs that are deaf or have poor hearing. But there are alternative ways to make everyday life with dogs easier through good obedience. The focus in education is on visual perception.
The commands are given by hand signals or body language – therefore, attention and eye contact are extremely important. Four-legged friends are able to interpret these signals very well.
The dog owner is free to decide which visual signals to use. Popular is the raised index finger for the command “sit” and upward stretched arm for the callback.
Deaf dog: Consolidate upbringing through dog sports
Deaf and hard of hearing dogs welcome: Rally Obedience is the perfect way to train every dog in basic obedience. The great thing about this dog sport is that the tasks can be flexibly adapted to the respective dog.
The dog-human team runs through the course with teamwork and visual signals. The dog learns the basic commands in a playful way or tries something new, such as an obstacle course or turns.
Deaf dog: free running
Leashed for a lifetime due to deafness? This is not advisable, because in the vast majority of cases it is possible to run free with a deaf dog. After all, the four-legged friends also want to feel the freedom and work out.
If an active dog is always kept on a short leash, behavior disorders and leash aggressiveness are often the results.
For a dog with poor hearing, for example, training works with an extra loud dog whistle – provided that he can hear the noise. In the case of a deaf dog, the training for the “recall” is as follows:
- Safety: The outdoor recall should initially be made within a secure area or with a dragline in a quiet area.
- Prior knowledge: Even before training, the dog has learned to orient itself to its human and to establish regular eye contact.
- Callback signal: With the help of a visual signal, the dog owner signals the order to the fur nose to come back to him. The sign should be clear and precise and unmistakable even from a distance.
- Positive reinforcement: If the dog reacts immediately to the sign and returns to its human, a reward is given without delay.
- Increase level: As with dogs with intact hearing, the level of difficulty can now be increased. After all, the recall has to work even if the dog is distracted.
Note: In deaf dogs with a strong hunting instinct, running free becomes a double challenge. If the dog owner does not manage to cope with these two difficulties, he must refrain from running freely in nature. If the dog is tolerable, dog exercise areas are a suitable alternative.
The second option is the help of a dog trainer who is experienced in the areas of hunting instinct and deafness.
How do I wake a deaf dog?
07:30 in the morning, time for the first walk – but how do I wake my deaf dog? Four-legged friends with intact hearing usually perceive through acoustic signals that their people are waking up. Deaf dogs, on the other hand, slumber deeply while the alarm clock and other noises go off.
In order not to frighten the sleeping fur nose, his human lies down next to her and moves closer if necessary.
The dog then notices by itself that its owner is very close to it. Avoid hectic contact. The careful awakening is associated with a little time. But this morning ritual not only promises a relaxed start to the new day, but it also strengthens the bond with one another.
Deaf dog: How does contact with fellow dogs work?
In encounters between deaf and other dogs, misunderstandings often arise the first time. After all, a healthy four-legged friend does not assume that his counterpart cannot hear his joyful request to play in the form of bark.
However, this does not mean that dog owners of deaf four-legged friends deny them contact with conspecifics. Dogs are by nature social animals that suffer from loneliness and, after isolation, can only speak inadequately or not at all.
When contacting conspecifics, the pack leader only needs to be careful and careful. He determines which fur nose approaches his deaf dog in which way.
Sneaking up behind a deaf dog is not a good idea for a healthy dog. This could startle the handicapped dog, causing it to become suspicious.
Dogs that tend to behave aggressively are – as with all other dogs – not allowed to be with their own four-legged friend. The deaf dog cannot hear warning signals such as a growl and within seconds a dangerous situation arises.
It is best to organize regular meetings with compatible conspecifics. Until both have got used to each other, a few walks together can pass. But at the latest with joyful romping around or lying in contact, the deafness in dogs no longer plays a role and intimate friendships develop among the four-legged friends.
Deaf dog: second dog
Caution is advised when coming into contact with unfamiliar dogs. However, this does not mean that a second dog cannot be agreed with a deaf four-legged friend. In fact, the opposite is true. For a deaf or poorly hearing four-legged friend, it is an advantage if he shares his home with a healthy four-legged friend.
With his animal roommate, in addition to his caregiver, there is orientation and security. In addition, he maintains contact with conspecifics, which is important for dogs. The second dog with intact hearing will soon have the hang of how to best handle his deaf paw friend.
For a sociable handicapped four-legged friend, an agreeable and relaxed friend on four paws is a clear plus in terms of joie de vivre. Even a deaf four-legged friend can lead a beautiful life.
