My puppy seems to be partially deaf any advice?

[soonbesailing]

I went to my training class yesterday and the trainer thinks my 6 month old dog is partially deaf. He does not respond to a whistle at all and you can clap and click behind him with no response. He can hear some things like a ringing bell, so I don't think he is completely deaf.

I have been having problems with recall and it would help to explain why, often on a walk he will stop sit down and have a really good look around and he is really sniffy with his nose on the ground all the time.

He is my first dog and I had no idea, I just thought he was very distracted and rather stubborn.

I've spoken to the vet and he's going to have a look at him but they don't do specialist hearing tests, I'm not sure if I should try and get him tested so that I know how much he can hear, or if knowing he can't hear everything is all I need to know.

Any experience or tips would be greatly appreciated :)

I dont have any experience personally with a deaf dog, but I know that some white coloured dogs are prone to deafness and owners tend to use hand signals for commands.

I would get his hearing tested just incase it is a blocked something inside the ear that can be treated.

Ask your trainer is he/she knows anyone with deaf/partial hearing dogs and see what advice other owners can give.

I would want to get him fully checked out by a specialist myself - to see the cause if anything can be done about it etc.

I have trained many deaf dogs (generally for rescue so that they can then be rehomed with commands that they know and the new owner can use) and to be honest have loved every minute of it. It does cause some challenges but they can nearly all be overcome with imaginative solutions

Training a deaf dog does need time and commitment but is worth every second.

Basically you will have to use a sign language for your commands and for getting the dogs attention. I am a avid clicker fan and always use clicker training for my dogs so that was my first hurdle. However instead of the clicker I used the thumbs up sign and then treated the dogs. They picked this up quite quickly and if I give them a thumbs up will come over for the treat. They also recognised that the thumbs up marked the behaviour I wanted. (it did take a bit longer than using a clicker). My hearing dogs will also work for the thumbs up sign - useful in agility queues, or competition where the clicker would put off other dogs. Also a dog hearing or deaf will recognise that a smile is a positive reward.

When approaching a deaf dog always touch him in the same place and gently, so he begins to recognise you approaching him and not be startled - often the shoulder is a good place although generally try to approach from the front so he sees you first.

Some dogs can feel vibrations so that is something to consider to get his attention. Stamping your foot can causes a vibration for him to feel if he turns around thumbs up sign and treat.

Obvioulsy sit command, down etc can all be taught by sign language.

Recall can be an issue and it is your duty to keep your dog safe so they may need to be a lead in areas near traffic etc where they can hear the danger or be able to react quickly to your recall. However over time this to can be sorted.

A great book is Hear Hear by Barry Eaton www.deaf-dogs-help.co.uk/help/dogbookshop.htm

Most ADPT should have had experience of working with deaf dogs link here

Just remember deaf dogs will learn really well with positive based training methods and not harsh handling or choke chains etc so do choose your trainer with care. All ADPT trainers will use positive training methods.

how much would it be to get a dogs hearing checked fully?

ralphs recall is honesty crap. he doesnt respond to people knocking at the door, he ignores us most of the time.

he can however hear other dogs barking.

There are a few BAER hearing test centre around. I dont think it costs too much money and at least you'll know for sure.

www.britishdalmatianclub.org.uk/health/index.php?action=test_centres

There is a list of test centre on this website.

wow minimu what a great post. I have learned loads just reading that and am going to get the book, so that I know more.

Thanks (even though my dogs can hear the grass growing!) it is always good to learn new things.

Thank you all for your advice, I don't seem to have a BAER hearing test centre near me, but I will speak to the vet about it, I'm hoping we may be able to be referred on our insurance?

I think he is not completely deaf and I really don't know if he has always been like this, but I think he probably has. He has always been a quiet little chap, he has a couple of mad puppy moments every day but is very laid back.

Minimuu thanks for all the information, very helpful, I will look up the book you suggested.

We have been using positive training and although my trainer is rather lacking in his ability to communicate with humans (he announced my dog was deaf in the middle of a class of about 15 people) he has a wonderful way with dogs.

He is a small dog ( whippet X bedlington terrier ) and is on a harness, I usually have him on a long lead. I only let him off for a good run on the local field if there are not many dogs around, as he loves other dogs and as I have struggled with recall, I can't always get him back and he just runs off with the other dogs. He is on a lead at all other times as I live in a city.

Thank you all again