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.
Allegedly, fast is instinctively practised by both wolfs and wild dogs. This has led many people to that assumption, that our dog on the couch should, once in a while, be fasting as well. A wild animal surely knows what it is doing, nature is wise, you...
In this cycle, we will get to know interesting dog personalities. Dogs play an important role in our life, so let us take a look what they have already achieved during our life together. We should find Hachiko in the dictionary next to the phrase...
Markéta is my long-time friend. We got to know each other through a shelter, from which I took my first dog and where I then started to help out. Under this association, Markéta runs a depository for cats in Prague, where I like to go when I have a bit...
Have you ever wondered how much movement is healthy for your dog and when it can be harmful? Or that not every movement is beneficial? Most dog owners never think about this. It’s said that the more you move, the better. But this is not always true.
As I mentioned in previous articles, I occasionally help out my friend Markéta, who runs a cat shelter. I had the opportunity to take part in several humane trappings for stray cats and would like to share the experience with you today.
Did you know that even your pet dog can suffer from depression? As with people, we shouldn’t underestimate the mental state of our dogs. How to recognize it and what to do about it?
In this cycle, we shall take a look at how cats and dogs are getting along in the world. Where people nurture and spoil them, or on the contrary they suffer and their situation is critical. Today I would like to introduce you to the cats of Greece,...
The approach of warm sunny days will surely entice many people to go for long walks. Many of us take our four-legged companions on vacation. It’s during these times that we should be careful about sunstroke, both for us and our dogs. How can we prevent...
Just like with people, being overweight can have a negative impact on a dog’s health. Preparing the right diet and amount of food to give them can sometimes be, however, like pure alchemy, and so your dog can start to become obese. If this is the case...
There seems to be more and more ticks year after year. Fortunately, the ways to protect our furry friends, whether dogs or cats, against these parasites are growing. Everyone can choose what product fits best for them and their four-legged companions.
Until recently skinny guinea pigs were relatively rare in our country. Word about them is quickly spreading, however, and they have become a sudden hit among breeders. What’s it like having these guinea pigs and what do they like to eat?
The kidneys perform one of the most important functions in the body - cleaning the blood. Due to their small intake of water, cats are more burdened than other animals and therefore suffer quite often from kidney problems the older they get.
