Many people think that having a deaf dog is a difficult task. Since the dog's hearing - one of its main senses - is impaired, changes in routine and treatment are necessary for good coexistence. But despite the challenge, every guardian can learn how to care for a deaf dog. Want to know what the signs of deafness are, how the deaf dog's ear works and the best way to care for a deaf dog?What's it like living with a dog with a hearing loss? Check it out below!

Dog ears: understand how canine hearing works and how deafness occurs

A dog's hearing is one of the most acute senses. Do you know how many times more a dog hears compared to humans? While we pick up sounds that reach 20,000 Hz, a dog's hearing picks up to 60,000 Hz! The dog's ear works like this: sound vibrations enter the ear, pass through the middle ear and reach the inner ear, where these vibrations are perceived and the sound is transmitted to the human ear.A deaf dog cannot pick up these vibrations.

Deafness in dogs can be congenital - born with the dog - or acquired - developed throughout life by factors such as diseases (distemper, for example), infections (such as otitis) and aging (canine hearing is lost with age). The hearing of a deaf dog can pick up few sounds (partial deafness) or no sound at all (total deafness). In addition, deafness can be unilateral (only in one ear of a dog).dog) or bilateral (in both ears).

How do you know if your dog is deaf? Know the most common signs of deafness

Signs of deafness in dogs vary depending on where they come from. Typically, deaf dogs become unresponsive and interact less. Some owners even think their dog is being rude, but in reality they just don't hear you calling. It's also common for deaf dogs to sleep more. Here are some signs of deafness in dogs:

• Lack of response to commands
• Less interaction
• Shaking your head frequently
• Pain and black wax in the dog's ear
• Loss of balance
• Dog turning its head to both sides several times (sign of unilateral deafness)
• Puppies who are slow to learn basic things (as they are not listening)

To learn how to tell if your dog is deaf, perform a test at home: with your dog on its back, make a noise like shaking the food bowl. This sound does not produce many vibrations, so if your dog does not turn with the noise, it may be deaf. Take it to the vet to perform the test that accurately determines deafness in dogs to confirm the diagnosis.

How to call a deaf dog: associate the pet's name with visual stimuli

As the hearing of deaf dogs does not allow them to hear calls and commands, many people think that there is no way to take care of deaf dogs. Deaf animals need special care, but they can easily live with humans. You just have to adapt to their reality. The first difficulty for those who have a deaf dog is to learn to call him. If he doesn't hear you, how to get his attention?

Methods that use visual stimuli work well. When calling the dog, point the light of a laser flashlight at a wall near the animal a few times. With repetition and reinforcement, he will understand that this is a way for you to call him. Just be careful that the light does not come into direct contact with the dog's eye. At night, you can turn the switch on and off to get attentionIf you are close to the dog, it is worth creating a specific touch on the animal's body that it will associate with your name.

To train your deaf dog, use gestures, lights and rewards

Even deaf animals can be trained without their hearing. Deaf dogs learn to paw, sit and even fetch a ball. Instead of voice commands, visual commands are used. The laser attracts the animal, so it's great for showing it where to fetch the ball and pointing out the bathroom, for example. Visual gestures are easy for dogs to understand and can be used to show them where to go.For example, when your dog understands the gesture that means "sit" and successfully performs the command, point the light at your hand with his paw to signal that he got it right. Also, always reward with treats. Positive reinforcement and repetition are essential in training a deaf dog.

Because of weakened hearing, deaf dogs are startled by unintended touches.

Although you may have a special touch to get their attention, you should avoid touching a deaf dog. Because they don't have canine hearing, they don't know when someone is approaching them. If someone touches them out of the blue, they will get scared. So it's important to respect their space. If you're with other people, always make it clear that your dog is deaf and therefore not for them.keep touching it.

Accessibility for deaf dogs: learn how to use identification collars, tinker bells and interactive toys

A dog collar is an essential accessory for any dog. For a deaf dog, it's even more important. Wearing a collar with an identification tag on walks is a way to ensure that someone can contact you if the pet gets lost. Write on it that it is a deaf dog so that whoever finds it knows this information. Some owners like to put a little bell on the collarThe use of interactive toys helps the pet to stimulate its cognitive abilities in a fun way. The use of interactive toys helps the pet to stimulate its cognitive abilities in a fun way.

The dog's lack of hearing does not prevent it from barking

Despite some differences in living with a deaf dog, know that, just like any dog, he also barks. Dog barking is more than just a sound: it is a form of communication and a natural reaction of the pet. So, even without canine hearing, he is able to bark whenever he is excited, angry, frustrated, happy... The only difference is that he does not bark as a reaction to a dog.noises, such as dogs barking when they hear fireworks.

The truth is that the only difference between a deaf dog and a non-deaf dog is the lack of canine hearing. Of course, to know how to take care of a deaf dog, the tutor will need different methods. But in the end, the deaf dog is as lovable as any dog and can have a great coexistence with the tutor.