| Owning a dog that has no hearing can be both a | | | | vibrations will alert him. If you have children teach |
| rewarding and educating experience. Owning a dog | | | | them to approach your dog calmly and to touch him |
| that has good hearing and sight can often lead us | | | | gently. |
| into being a little lazy, when it comes to establishing | | | | If your deaf dog is particularly touch sensitive, try to |
| effective patterns of communication between us and | | | | help him become accepting of your touch by giving |
| our pet. For the most part we struggle through with | | | | him a tasty food treat each time you pet him. With |
| a few voice commands and maybe the occasional | | | | practice, your dog will begin to associate your |
| hand signal, that often change depending on the | | | | 'unexpected' touch with a feeling of pleasure. |
| situation. Fortunately, in a lot of situations our dogs | | | | Two more important things to consider when making |
| learn to navigate their way around our impromptu | | | | your home a safe and pleasurable place for your dog |
| communication style and, begin to 'catch on' to what | | | | are, not to leave doors or gates open, so as your |
| it is we want from them. | | | | dog can escape and be left unattended, as this could |
| Owning a deaf dog however is a different story; | | | | be disastrous. If your new dog is going to be left |
| many owners of deaf dogs testify to how much | | | | alone for some time during the day, you may |
| their lives have changed since their deaf dog come | | | | consider it wise to train him to spend time in a dog |
| to live with them. Often, deaf dog owners talk in | | | | crate. However, do keep in mind due to your dog |
| terms of how different and, in many cases how | | | | not being able to hear he may become restless, or |
| much better their relationship is in terms of both | | | | even frightened at being left alone in his crate. Deaf |
| communication and depth | | | | dogs can also be particularly prone to separation |
| Variation sentence 4. | | | | anxiety, so do make sure your dog has plenty to |
| A dog can be deaf due to a number of reasons; | | | | occupy himself with during the time he spends alone. |
| many dogs are born deaf. This type of deafness is | | | | The biggest dangers posed to your deaf dog will be |
| referred to as Congenital Deafness, it's cause is due | | | | when you are out and about, especially if you live in |
| to a defective gene. Other causes of deafness in | | | | a town or city, where there is a lot of traffic. Keep |
| dogs are usually the result of accidents, illness or old | | | | your dog on his leash, at least until you are in a place |
| age. | | | | where it is safe to manage him off leash. However, it |
| If you are thinking of sharing your life with a deaf | | | | is important to do this only when your dog is |
| dog, then understanding, patience and, a willingness | | | | performing a consistent recall. |
| to adapt will put you in good stead. Amongst the | | | | Working on building a way of communication that |
| most important things to consider are keeping your | | | | both you and your dog are familiar with is vitally |
| new pet safe, developing an appropriate means of | | | | important to sharing your life with a deaf dog. As |
| communication, and making your home a comfortable | | | | your dog will not be able to hear you, only hand |
| and, secure place for your dog to live. | | | | signals will do. In fact dogs are well ahead of us in |
| Dogs that are deaf are prone to being touch | | | | terms of being able to read body language. You can |
| sensitive and, can also become startled much easier | | | | use hand signals taken from sign language designed |
| that dog who have no problems with their hearing, | | | | for humans, for example, British or American sign |
| for example, if somebody approaches them from | | | | language, or use signs from these languages that |
| behind and touches them, or if roused from sleep. | | | | have been adapted especially for using with dogs, or |
| When owning a deaf dog you will need to keep this | | | | alternatively you can design your own signs. Using |
| in mind and, adapt the ways in which you approach | | | | smiles and mouthing your commands will also help to |
| and, handle your dog. This is especially important for | | | | reinforce your new hand signals, however, the key is |
| those with young children, as children can be | | | | keep your hand signals consistent and simple, so as |
| boisterous at times and, a child running up and | | | | not to cause your dog to become confused. |
| touching a dog that can not see him or her coming | | | | In reality owning a deaf dog is not that much |
| could cause the dog to become nervous or even try | | | | different to owning a dog that has his hearing in tact. |
| to bite. | | | | All is needed is a little extra patience, understanding, |
| To help your deaf dog adjust, try approaching him | | | | love and, a little work on your part and, you will |
| head on, stamping your feet as you approach your | | | | come to develop a relationship with your dog that is |
| dog from behind can also be very helpful, as the | | | | difficult to compare. |