Dogs are constantly learning which sounds or behaviors get a response from their owners, but when an owner loses their hearing, pets may need to adapt and find new ways to communicate. Dogs are highly responsive to their environment and learned experiences, Dr. Linda Simon, a resident veterinarian at Pooch & Mutt, told Newsweek.
That means a dog may eventually realize that the person who once responded to their bark, whine or other noises no longer reacts in quite the same way. "They would use other means of communications, such as positioning themself in front of the owner or through touch," Simon said. That's because dogs aren't simply making noise.
They're learning what happens when they do. So how can an owner help their dog make the switch? One way is to pay attention to the behaviors the dog uses to get their attention and respond to those instead.
If a dog comes over and touches their owner or stands in front of them, for example, the owner can respond so the dog learns that this works, too. Barking and whining are often attempts to grab an owner's attention. Over time, they learn what happens when they make certain sounds, such as learning that enough whining while someone eats might earn them a nibble of food.
But when those sounds no longer produce the expected response, dogs can adjust their behavior. "If these barks and whines are mostly ignored, they'll likely reduce in frequency," Simon said. For an owner experiencing hearing loss, this can mean their dog may gradually become less reliant on barking or whining and start using behaviors that are more likely to get noticed.
Owners can also encourage these new behaviors when they happen. A dog that touches its owner's leg instead of barking, for example, can learn that this is another way to get a response. Exactly how quickly that happens can vary from dog to dog.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
