Deaf older dog

[parrotonmyshoulder]

Anyone got or had a dog that has gone deaf in old age? Mine is still very sprightly, but cannot hear at all. Any tips for safety and comfort?

I’ve a 17 yr old Collie cross. He’s pretty deaf, I can walk right up to him and he doesn’t her me - he does seem to be able to hear if I clap my hands sharply; but the only way to keep him safe is to keep him on the lead, esp as he seems a wee bit forgetful and confused at times. Have you tried blowing a whistle? I think like humans they lose certain frequencies first

My lovely 12 year old dog had gradual hearing loss and is now completely deaf. I tell everyone who knows her to make sure they go round her to approach her from the front as it can be startling for her otherwise. She has learnt simple signs quickly in return for high value treats. I still let her off lead in the woodland walks that she knows well.

the hardest thing is when she barks at the door because she’s seen something in the garden. She can’t hear me saying ‘no’ so it does mean having to go to her and getting in front of her to show her the sign to stop. In short, just had to do a few little things to accommodate her.

Thanks. We tried a whistle but he can’t seem to hear it at all. He knows some signs (sit, down and quiet) and I just need to make sure he’s looking at me.
I miss the way he wagged his tail with gentle thuds on the floor when he heard me talking!

It's sad seeing them age isn't it! My poor old spaniel went deaf in his final year, but to be honest, he was living the dream not being able to hear us telling him off when he was (regularly) up to mischief!

My lovely old dog was deaf for the last few years of her life. We used very exaggerated hand signals as commands. She learnt these very quickly.

It's really common in older dogs. Not much to be done really other than to make sure you don't startle them and to teach some sign language. They never seem too worried about their hearing loss.

My daughter's dog is deaf and blind, she sixteen. Her sense of smell seems to be good though, as she goes around sniffing feet until she finds the person she wants. Also, we only ever approach her from the front so she can smell us.
She's never off lead when out for a walk as she'd just wander off, but she eats well and wags her tail a lot so they presume she's fine.

Our 15yo cocker is now deaf and virtually blind - we always tap him on the head when we are in the room, so he knows we are there. We got an extendable lead for walks so that he could go off sniffing and have a bit of freedom, without the issue of him not coming back.

My dog is now deaf and practically blind - seems able to see bright daylight. I blow on him before touching him, so he knows I'm there. He finds his way around by smell (can always find his dinner) & walking round the edges of rooms feeling the walls with his nose. When there's no more wall, he knows it's a doorway & walks through.