Hearing loss can happen to humans and pets alike. When it comes to dogs, permanent hearing loss can be a result of the following three factors:
1. Age
It is sometimes inevitable for a senior dog to progressively lose his sense of hearing.
2. Birth
A puppy is born deaf due to a congenital defect.
3. Disease
Certain ailments, such as parasitic infections and traumatic injuries, can cause hearing loss.
If you suspect that your dog has lost his ability to hear, below are a couple of tips that can help determine his hearing condition:
- Unresponsive to his name being called.
- Unresponsive to loud noises or sounds. Does not turn toward the source of noise or sound.
There is currently no cure for hearing loss in dogs. However, communication between canine and owner is still achievable by implementing these five methods:
- Hand Signals. Train dogs to follow commands by using clear and consistent hand signals.
- Vibrating Collar. Attract your dog’s attention by letting him wear a vibrating collar, which is available for purchase at pet shops.
- ID Tag. Add an ID tag to your dog’s collar that indicates his deafness, should he ever get lost.
- Collar Bell. Add a bell to your dog’s collar so that you know where he is all the time.
- Perimeter Fence. Keep dogs within the safe confines of the home or the perimeter fence outside.
Feature Image Source: Pixabay