When an old dog goes deaf...?

Question

Old dogs all seem to lose their hearing. When they are totally deaf, do you think they wonder why we aren't talking to them any more? It makes so sad to think that my dog doesn't understand why he can't hear me...

Answer 1

I have a deaf Bull Terrier, she's been deaf since birth. I don't think it matters. Dogs rely on sight and smell as well as hearing. Your dog still understands you.

Answer 2

Not all old dogs lose their hearing.. And deaf dogs do fine, dogs are more watching us for signs and signals, rather than listening for commands all the time.. People chatter and talk all the time, a dog would be driven mad listening trying to pick things up all the time.

Answer 3

Hello..lots of dogs are deaf..some old age & some are suseptible to deafness ..like dalmations, border collies, etc & they do just fine..dogs do not know words, they know your actions & touch..they could care less about words ..so you just touch them more..give'em pettings & their favorite place to be scratched the chest between the front legs, many deaf dogs, even hearing dogs respond to hand signals ..my neighbor has 2 deaf border collies, they follow hand commands & play frisbee ..LOL !! So no need for sadness Take Care :)

Answer 4

Dogs are all about visual. They watch for a move, a hand signal, even a facial expression before anything else. Fortunately for dogs, they don't dwell on the emotional side of things, like humans do, but I'm sure that it did register that he/she can't hear you anymore. Just remember, they are attuned to everything you do, so look at it in the sense that you are communicating on his/her level now. Hope this helps!!

Answer 5

Dogs rely more on body language, that's the main way they communicate. It's harder for a dog to lose a sense than it is to be born without it, but they typically lose it over a matter of time and adjust to the change. Teaching your dog obedience and hand signals will allow you another way to communicate.

Answer 6

I never really thought about it. Dogs realy alot on hearing, and secondary is sight (besides smell of course, but this sence doesnt really apply to the question). I think as long as you keep using visual sings with your hands, they dont really think aobut it that much. That is my you train your dog first with hand commands right??? As long as you have some kind of interaction with them that they are aware of, they will be just fine.