Activities For Dog With Deafness
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Introduction
Upon getting a new dog, the first thing a dog owner normally does is to give their new pup a name. When they do not respond to this, or to any other verbal cues, then there is a good chance that they are deaf. Unfortunately, deaf dogs have earned a reputation of being “untrainable” and incapable of living a normal dog life. However, dogs are known to have heightened senses; they first experience the world through their smell, then their sight and, finally, through sound. Hence, the four other senses can easily make up for the lack of sound. As deaf dog owners, you are given an exceptional chance at truly communicate with your dog and be in tune with each other.Â
Hiking
Hiking is one of the most fun and physically challenging things that you can do with your dog. The great part about hiking is that it caters to all senses. For deaf dogs, hiking is no more difficult compared to a dog with hearing abilities, since all other senses are stimulated. Another thing about hiking is that you allow your dog to catch sight of beautiful views and smell some new things along the way, which helps make up for their lack of hearing. It also doubles as a good workout session; you get to keep your dog both healthy and entertained. Hiking areas and state parks are usually open to public but be mindful of the rules when it comes to bringing dogs along. Â Â
Tracking
Tracking is an activity that mainly involves leaving behind of certain “articles” for your dog to find. It is an ideal activity for your deaf dog, mainly because the most important sense being utilized in this activity is the sense of smell. What’s more, tracking is a great way to train your dog’s skills. But, most importantly, this activity allows for better trust and respect between dog and owner. It requires you to put a lot of faith in your dog, which will help you form an even closer bond than you already have. Tracking is usually best done outdoors during good weather and can be done free of charge. You may take about 1 to 2 hours per day training your dog to track, depending on your goals and how experienced you want your dog to become.
Obedience Training
Yes, it is possible for deaf dogs to go through obedience training even without a sense of hearing. Visual cues and signals are just as good as verbal ones. However, with the added challenge of training a deaf dog, you will need a whole lot of patience and determination. When doing obedience training, always use hand signals and remember which hand signals you used for each command that you are training. If you want, you may even draw the signals and display them somewhere where you can see them easily. This activity is free and only requires time and fortitude but the benefits are priceless. More than just getting your dog to follow your commands, you also get to build better communication and understanding between you and your dog.Â
More Fun Ideas...
Dine Out
Take your dog out for a date while enjoying a meal out. There are several options for pet-friendly restaurants, most of which have outdoor patios exclusively for dogs. Some places even have pet menus so you can go and buy your dog a meal.Â
Go Shopping
Who says only humans like shopping? Your dog can have loads of fun shopping where they get to feast their eyes on various items that they like. There are lots of dog boutiques where owners can shop with their dogs and there are numerous treats available for canines.
Conclusion
Having a deaf dog should not hinder you from enjoying activities and spending some much needed quality time with your pup. Deaf dogs are special in their own way and should be treated with the same love and respect as any other dog. Any of these activities are good options when looking to spend time with your dog.Â