Teddy can't hear well if at all.

Over the last year I have noticed that Teddy's hearing has become much worse and that now he reacts to very little noise. Teddy is a rescue and something could have happened to him years ago. Teddy used to at least respond to certain loud noises and the other dogs barking. Now I use "doggy sign language" which is when he faces me I bend down and pretend to clap my hands together and he comes running. He goes in the fence unless the other 2 corgis are outside with him.

Does anyone have any experience with their dog and hearing loss?

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Permalink Reply by Holly on April 9, 2015 at 10:57am

I always teach the hand signals as well as the words in anticipation for when it may be needed, and for times when her attention needs an extra boast. You can also try a bright flashlight or business only use laser light to flash on and off a couple of times in her face to get her attention as a "Watch me" command for urgent matters. I use hand signal (ASL signs) as well as vocal commands for "shoes, sit, come, baby (her toy), water, food (eat), yes and no." You may be able to get a vibrator fire/smoke alarm for her bed to wake her in an emergency but it may not be that essential if Teddy sleeps near you.

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on April 9, 2015 at 1:19pm

I would not be flashing a powerful flashlight or other device in a dog's face, as this can have a blinding effect and even be painful, depending on the dog's eyes. Better to flash it on the ground in the vicinity of the dog, or on yourself to make yourself visible for a gesture to be seen. Many of the older dogs have eye issues and it could also be disorienting. I know it has those effects on me.

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Permalink Reply by Holly on April 9, 2015 at 3:01pm

I'm not talking police tactics :D I guess "in the vicinity" of her face as a warning light is more specific. I use it at night as a warning feature to alert Sully if I see a coyote or fisher in the area and I want her to watch me and pay attention. Even flashing the lights in the house may work to get the attention of a dog that isn't sleeping, but I don't have a dog with vision loss so you could judge by reaction if it seems to bother your dog.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on April 13, 2015 at 5:07pm

Gwynnie is totally deaf on bath days. I have to bring the vacuum cleaner into the bathroom to get her anywhere near the tub.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on October 1, 2015 at 6:41pm

The really terrible thing about the deafness:

How can she tell for sure that she's totally killed all the squeakies in her dog toys?!?!?

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Permalink Reply by Anna Morelli on October 8, 2015 at 9:47am

My girl, 15 when I first responded, is still doing well at age 17! I only take her out on the Flexi leash at night now, but her deafness has not been problematic. I was away for a week recently and my husband was having difficulties getting her to respond to what he needed her to do, as she was not used to him interacting as "doggy director", but a few treats, appropriately given, had her keeping a keen eye on him with good results :-DD