According to some estimates, around 5-10 percent of all dogs can be partially or completely deaf. Apparently, dogs with white coats are more prone to deafness. Even though it does not affect only older dogs, it is not a topic that is often discussed. How to talk to a deaf dog?
Unless it is an injury or just old age, deafness in a dog is a genetic disorder. Dogs with a white coat tend to be the most affected.
What has a white coat got to do with hearing?
The ability to hear is possible thanks to a special layer of cells inside the inner ear. This layer shares the source of stem cells with those that determine the colour of the coat. A genetic disorder causes piebaldism on parts or the whole body. The dog's coat does not turn brown or any other colour and due to the lack of pigment (melanin), it stays white.
The fact that the dog does not suffer from this disorder now does not mean that it will not develop in the future. There is a possibility to have your dog examined using the BAER congenital deafness test. The test costs around CZK1,000 and in most cases it is necessary to make an appointment with your vet.
Dogs react better to sign commands
If you find out that your dog is suffering from partial or total deafness, do not panic. Communication with your pet can easily be switched to sign language. According to some sources, sign commands are 17% more effective. A recent study has even revealed a 99% response to sign language in a dog.
Maybe not exactly shocking for cynologists, but for laymen more so. Sign language is a common practice during obedience training. If you make it a part of your dog's training, regardless of his coat colour and the associated level of the risk of deafness, it will make your life much easier and also the life of your dog as he ages.
Dog sign language is not hard to learn. There is a specific hand sign for every basic obedience command (with an option to use only one hand). Possibly the most common dog sign language method is K9Sign. It was developed by the researcher Sean Senechal, who is also the founder of the AnimalSign Centre. K9Sign is based on American Sign Language (ASL). To find out how it is done, go to ndeafdogsrock.com/beginning-sign-training. We also recommend books written by Senechal himself, featuring his German Shepherd, Chal, who he tested his sign language method on.
In the first part of the interview with the Slovak musher Katarina Vigodová, we talked about how to prepare for a skiing trip with your furry friend. Today we are going to hit the skiing trails with Katka. What commands should the dog know? Why are a...
Spring is round the corner together with extreme dog races. What can we look forward to this year? And what is this dog sport all about?
The shared history of humans and domesticated animals is full of interesting facts. Expand your horizons with the following forty interesting facts about pets, spanning over centuries.
Breeding supplies are currently becoming a fast growing sector and as with any other industry, even here we can trace the development trends of new products coming to the market. Let's take a look at the biggest trends in the world of our furry...
An interesting trend brought by the pet industry. Compared to other sectors, this one is growing at a dizzy rate. Why is that? Let's take a look at the newest trends in pet acquisition and adoption, and whether shelters and breeders really are as...
Obesity isn't a civilization problem concerning only humans but also pets. It is a condition where the body receives more energy than it expends. What is the main cause and how to deal with obesity in pets? Answers are provided in the following...
Are you wondering how to create the perfect meal plan for your guinea pig? What is crucial for larger rodents and what is better to avoid? Everything about guinea pig nutritional requirements can be found in the following interview with the breeder...
We've become accustomed to the sight of dogs in public places. Probably everyone has experienced a dog in the workplace, in a park, in a café, etc. Dog owners should therefore always bear in mind the handling and training of their pets. Let's go...
We recently wrote about planned musher races. The canicross events aren't being left behind and the fans of running with a dog have plenty to look forward to this year.
Winter is showing off in all its glory. And winter sports fans are setting off for the mountains. They're often accompanied by their four-legged friends. Especially more and more popular is becoming ski mountaineering. Furry companion's presence is...
For pet owners, smart toilets are a welcome replacement for the traditional litter box, which has to be cleaned every day. You can even control them via a mobile phone application and monitor the frequency of the toilet usage, especially when your cat...
Fresh meat, insect protein or sustainable pet food. New trends in dog nutrition. Adding fresh meat into dog food enhances the taste and smell of the product, but it's also easier to digest.
