Tips for Adopting a Deaf Dog

Odds are that if you’ve had dogs in the past, you have experience caring for a deaf dog. That’s because when dogs live long enough, most will lose some or all of their hearing as they age. Deafness is a widely accepted and normalized disability. Because it is so common, most dogs adjust and adapt very well, as long as they are kept safe. Whether they are born deaf or hearing loss occurs gradually over months or years, deaf dogs naturally learn to compensate with their senses of sight, smell, and touch. Keep reading to learn how pet parents can connect and communicate with their deaf dogs using eye contact and hand signals.

What causes deafness in dogs?

Deaf dogs come in many sizes, shapes, ages, and breeds. Some dogs are born deaf, while other dogs become deaf due to chronic ear infections, injury, toxicity, or aging. In some cases, hearing loss is asymmetric, meaning there is a different degree of loss in each ear. In others, both ears are affected equally. Deafness can also occur in one ear only, which is known as unilateral deafness. While age and injury are common causes of deafness in dogs, two other major factors are genetic disorders and poor breeding practices.

Deafness is a hereditary condition

Congenital deafness is usually hereditary. Although any breed can be affected, deafness is seen more commonly in white, piebald, and merle-colored dogs (e.g., Boxers, Boston Terriers, Dalmatians, Bull Terriers, Pit Bulls, herding breeds, and breed mixes that carry the merle gene). Hereditary deafness may develop later in life in Border Collies and Dobermans. 

Deafness caused by double merle breeding

More recently, the range of breeds prone to congenital deafness has been expanding, often due to merle breeding. For example, the introduction of merle coloring into Frenchies and Bulldogs puts those breeds at risk for congenital deafness and/or blindness.

When two merle-colored dogs are bred, there is a 25 percent chance that each puppy will receive the dominant merle gene from each parent. This is called double merle, which is linked to a white hair coat, deafness, and several congenital eye defects that can cause vision impairment. Breeding merle to merle is highly discouraged.

Unfortunately, some breeders intentionally breed merles together in hopes of splashy color patterns in their puppies. The resulting double merles who are deaf and/or blind are often abandoned, turned over to rescues, or euthanized because they can’t be sold or are (inaccurately) deemed unable to have a good quality of life.

How to find out if your dog is deaf​

You can look for signs and try simple tests to help determine if your dog is deaf.

Signs of deafness in dogs

• No response to sounds or verbal cues from their people or other dogs

• Deeply sleeping and may startle when woken up abruptly

• Confusion or behavioral changes

• Excessive barking may be a sign that they are unable to hear themselves

At-home dog deafness test

• Try simple tests like clapping hands or clanging pots and pans behind your dog. Deaf dogs will elicit little to no response, depending on whether or not there is full or partial deafness. 

• Assess your dog’s response when they are called for. Dogs with asymmetric hearing loss can hear but typically cannot place where sound is coming from. When dogs with single-ear deafness hear their person calling them but don’t see them, they will become confused and start searching in the wrong direction, even if the person calling them is right behind them.

BAER dog deafness test

• Get a professional hearing test. When common tests fail or are insufficient, some veterinary specialists will recommend BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) testing, a more technical way to diagnose deafness. It is most helpful in detecting unilateral deafness since the test confirms which ear is affected.

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Can a deaf dog live a normal life?

Yes, deaf dogs can live totally normal lives. In fact, caring for a deaf dog is not much different than for any other dog. They have the same basic needs: food, water, exercise, enrichment, friendship, and love. But there are some differences to be aware of. 

Deaf dogs can’t hear a verbal recall.

Outdoor fencing is critical to keep a deaf dog from accidentally wandering or running into the street or other dangerous places. A comfortable harness and leash should be used when out and about in parks or other areas that aren’t fenced. A long, webbed line (not a flexi leash) works well to give deaf dogs the freedom to roam and play, while still being able to retrieve them.  

Deaf dogs don’t respond to verbal cues from other dogs.

This can be confusing to the family dogs, especially when they issue a gentle grumble warning to a deaf puppy who is being overbearing and doesn’t respond as expected. It’s important to supervise introductions between new deaf puppies (or new adult rescue dogs) and your current family dogs. Fortunately, over time, most hearing dogs learn to interact effectively with their deaf canine siblings. 

Deaf dogs need to be supervised around unknown dogs.

They might be friendly, but be aware of dogs your deaf dog will meet when you’re out at dog parks, hiking, and at social events. Deaf dogs are more vulnerable when other dogs don’t know or understand their differences. This is especially important for small dogs.

Deaf dogs may startle easily.

To avoid startling them, approach from a direction they can see you. If they’re sleeping, a gentle tap or blow towards them helps to get their attention. Avoid putting your face and hands in front of their face when they are sleeping, just in case they get startled and snap. And be sure to teach small children how to gently approach a deaf dog, as you supervise as needed.

Deaf dogs are a little bit different to connect with.

Without the ability to use verbal cues and verbal praise, bonding and communication is centered around sight and touch. While this might take time for you to get used to, it comes naturally to most deaf dogs. To encourage bonding and connecting through eye contact, Chris Hannah, influencer and dog dad to Cole the Deaf Dog, recommends keeping newly adopted deaf dogs close by on a light leash both indoors and outdoors.

Obviously, your deaf dog will come with a range of abilities and obstacles related to previous circumstances such as trauma, abuse, and health issues — all of which should be addressed with your veterinarian on an individual basis. 

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How to train a deaf dog

Deaf dogs need and enjoy activities and training just as much as hearing dogs. They can respond to basic dog-clicker training classes with the thumbs-up signal used in place of a click to indicate that the dog is doing what they are being asked [see video training examples]. Once they consistently keep an eye on their person and reliably follow basic hand signals, deaf dogs can participate in agility, rally, nose work, and other competitive canine sports.

If you do adopt a deaf dog, you’ll understand the joy in learning to communicate with a dog without using words, the challenges of keeping them safe, and the excitement of seeing them explore their environment — often with impressive ease. 

Here are a few examples of how you might train your deaf dog.

Use hand signals for deaf dogs​

Teaching deaf dogs is similar to teaching hearing dogs, but hand signals are substituted for verbal cues. There is no one correct or standard set of hand signals. Some pet parents use American Sign Language (ASL), and others create signals that are simple, intuitive, and easy for them to remember. It’s up to the individual pet parent.

Training your deaf dog to look

When your deaf dog looks up at you, make eye contact and reward them with a treat. Your dog will quickly realize the value of looking at you, which will become the basis for bonding and teaching hand signals. 

Once your dog is reliably making eye contact, start to add a hand signal for “look,” which can be pointing at your eyes with your pointer and middle fingers. Then, give a thumbs-up signal for “okay” to mark the positive behavior.

Training your deaf dog to sit

Similarly, when teaching “sit,” you might guide your deaf dog into a seated position using a treat. When they sit, give a thumbs-up signal with a treat. Once they’re reliably sitting, add a hand signal. As your dog starts to associate hand signals with actions and rewards, you can start building a hand signal vocabulary.

Getting your deaf dog’s attention

Remote vibrating collars can be useful to get their attention and give positive reinforcement if introduced carefully. Allison Holloway, founder of Pawsavers Rescue in Columbus, Ohio, specializes in deaf and blind double-merle dogs and finds that hearing dog companions can be a great help in keeping the deaf dog’s attention and building good recall habits. With a solid training foundation, many deaf dogs go on to become certified therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, as well as valued and loved family members.  

Should I adopt a deaf dog?

With any adoption, finding the right match is paramount, and adopting a deaf dog is no different. Reputable rescuers will help you learn more about a deaf dog’s breed mix, size, age, energy level, and health. They can also help you understand the dog’s personality and temperament, particularly their individual needs. 

Many behavioral challenges in deaf dogs are related to unmet physical and mental stimulation — especially important for high-energy dogs, such as working or herding dogs — rather than their disability. They’ll also help you think about how your energy level, work schedule, other pets and commitments, and level of patience (especially for a dog who might need a little extra time and effort) will impact your pet parenting. 

Safety is a priority for any dog. But deaf dogs, in particular, are at greater risk of ending up in dangerous situations. They can’t hear their person calling to them, sounds of traffic, wild animals, or when a ball drops right next to them. Adopting a deaf dog requires attention to keep them enriched and safe.

Depending on their age and health status, senior dogs with hearing issues may come with additional factors to consider. They could be more prone to becoming confused and disoriented, especially if their vision is compromised or if they have cognitive issues. They will require extra precautions to keep them safe around stairs, unfamiliar pets, and when they’re outdoors.

How to adopt a deaf dog

There is no shortage of deaf dogs in need of forever homes. Many family dogs eventually become deaf. While most people keep and accommodate their newly deaf dogs, some aren’t able or willing, and turn them over to a shelter or rescue for rehoming.

Injured, abandoned, and abused deaf dogs also land in shelters and rescues, some of which focus their efforts on disabled pets. Most rescue organizations showcase their adoptable dogs on social media platforms, and they also hold adoption events where pet parents can meet and spend time with adoptable dogs. Online websites, such as Adopt a Pet, have searchable listings for pets who are deaf (or have other disabilities as well), where you can filter by special needs and other characteristics.

Commonly asked questions

Do they make hearing aids for dogs?

Yes, there are hearing aids for dogs. But they are generally custom-made, and they’re not commonly used for all dogs with hearing loss. Ask your veterinarian for more guidance and information about hearing aids.

Can a deaf dog hear a dog whistle?

No, a deaf dog cannot hear a dog whistle, which emits a high-frequency sound that deaf dogs are unable to hear.

Are deaf dogs more clingy?

No, deaf dogs are not necessarily more clingy. This depends on the unique personality of each dog, whether they’re hard of hearing or not. In this way, some deaf dogs may be more clingy, but that’s due to their personality differences rather than their deafness.

Can a blind and deaf dog be happy?

Yes, a blind and deaf dog can lead a happy life with the right care, as long as they have a consistent, safe environment with plenty of physical affection and sensory stimulation.

References

“Deafness in Animals - Ear Disorders.” Merck Veterinary Manual, www.merckvetmanual.com/ear-disorders/deafness/deafness-in-animals