My Boston Terrier mix came from a puppy mill. I know, I know, I am not supposed to get dogs from a puppy mill – it only perpetuates their cruel business. Some time ago, I paid a visit to what I thought was a breeder. What I stumbled into was a full-blown puppy mill. The dogs were sad and neglected. But there was one puppy … he was the last of the litter and the woman who ran the puppy mill was anxious to get rid of him. She made it clear that if she didn’t get rid of him that day, she was going to have him destroyed. So after paying $25, he came home with me.
Flex turned out to be a wonderful dog. Now at 13 years old, he has his “old man” quirks. Besides being the resident senior citizen of our house, Flex has lost his hearing – completely and totally. Looking back, it makes sense that he would lose his hearing. His mother had been deaf.
Flex lost his hearing over time. The advantage of him losing his hearing gradually was that I was able to connect with him while he could still hear. When I was growing up, dogs that couldn’t hear were put to sleep. I was determined that my dog was going to live out the rest of his life safe and comfortable.
The following are our ways of working with a dog that can’t hear.
Flex is never allowed out of the house or yard without a leash. Since he can’t hear other dogs, children or cars approaching him, we thought that was the best way to keep him safe.
To call him in from the yard, we use a flashlight. To be honest, because he totally enjoys chasing the light, he responds faster than he ever did when we would call him in. It is both a fun and very effective way to get him to come inside.
Some dogs who can’t hear become anxious when left alone. So if we are in the room with Flex and need to leave, we make sure Flex sees us go. I have noticed that he becomes very agitated if he looks around and everyone is gone. We believe it is worse for him since he can’t hear where everyone else could be.
Lastly, we have developed a basic set of hand signals. He knows “stop”, “come”, “move” and “leave the room”, “time for bed”. We were able to teach him these signals by hugs and treats when he responded correctly.
I volunteered at a local shelter where one of the dogs was deaf. Unfortunately, he lived at the shelter for years before he was able to find a forever home. The last that I heard from the adoptive family, all was happy and their new dog well adjusted.
Deaf dogs can be fabulous companions. We humans just need to hear them.