Absolutely. In fact, deafness is one of the biggest reasons for excessive barking in dogs. Yes, you read that right! Barking is just like speaking, and it has no connection with the hearing ability of your pup. Although deaf dogs can’t hear, they can still testify and respond to the activities going around them. For instance, they will bark to alert their owners about a potential danger.
It can be quite problematic for you (and your neighbors) if your deaf dog barks excessively. Quite obviously, it is harder to train such canines, and a lot of effort is needed to control your furry friend’s barking. Read on to learn how you can detect canine deafness and train deaf dogs not to bark.
There are several reasons why a dog might be deaf — just like humans can suffer hearing loss as they age, dogs can as well. Dog deafness can also be the result of an injury, chronic infections, or it could be a condition dogs are born with. This is called congenital deafness and it’s associated with pigmentation (most dogs with congenital deafness have an all-white or mostly white coat).
The video, posted by Lindsay Kelly under the TikTok handle @lind_saymyname, features her super-cute pet attempting to bark — but while the action looks right, no sound actually comes out of the pooch’s mouth. Kelly captioned the video, “My dog is deaf. She’s seen other dogs do this but doesn’t know she’s supposed to make noise.” Kelly is encouraging to her pet throughout the video, using that gentle tone we all reserve for our dogs — and while we can’t actually see her, we’re sure her facial expressions and body language matched exactly so her deaf dog knew exactly what she meant.
After watching this video, you might be wondering if deaf dogs can bark — and the answer is yes. Several TikTokers reported that they also have deaf dogs at home, and their barks are definitely not silent. Charle Anastasia wrote, “I have a deaf dog. His bark is a high-pitched scream. it sounds like he’s being murdered.”
“Adorable” and “sweet” are two words you’d probably never expect to describe a video of a dog barking incessantly, but this video of a deaf dog’s attempts are just that. Originally posted on TikTok, the video was recently recirculated on the subreddit r/WhatsWrongWithYourDog where Redditors immediately fell in love — and it’s not hard to see why. Contents
AlinaMaria added, “I also have a deaf dog. He used to bark in his sleep only, but at about [nine] he figured out how to bark while awake. His barks are still weird.”
Distract Your Dog
As soon as your deaf dog starts barking, distract his/her attention by using a flashlight. Point the light at the paw and he/she will start playing with it. You can also keep him/her occupied by offering a treat.
How to Detect Hearing Loss in Your Dog?
It can be quite hard to tell whether your dog is actually deaf or not. However, you can conduct different observations and experiments to indicate deafness in dogs.
For instance, you can examine a change in the behavior of your dog when the door is knocked. A dog who used to dash towards the door to answer it has started to show no reaction to these sounds. If that’s the case, deafness is the most likely culprit.
You can also conduct other experiments like silently getting into your dog’s room and then making a sudden sound. If your dog’s reactions don’t change, it’s pretty much evident that he/she is unable to hear. Similarly, several tests can be done on your own to get an idea about the deafness of your dog.
FAQ
Why does my deaf dog bark constantly?
Are deaf dogs calmer?
- Show a change in obedience or attentiveness.
- Appear unresponsive to everyday sounds, such as the doorbell or vacuum.
- Appear unresponsive to his/her name.
- Fail to respond to familiar verbal commands.
- Be difficult to rouse from sleep.
- Be less active.
- Bark excessively.