I think Tucker may be losing his hearing

[Horsefeathers!]

My Tucker Lab seems to be losing his hearing. This is the dog that went through therapy dog training and certification and has always been the most obedient and eager to please dog we could ask for. Usually, you only need to ask something of him once and he very promptly and politely complies. No begging, threatening, pleading, or yelling. You can talk to him almost like he's human.

Lately, I've been having to repeat requests more than once (or twice or three times) and do it Louder and LOUDER. He isn't acting defiant as such. He'll stand there smiling and wagging, but I'm having to repeat myself and often LOUD. Sometimes, when he finally does "get it," he'll slink off like he thinks I'm mad at him. I don't want him to think I'm screaming at him out of anger. I'm catching myself relying on body language more and more lately. :-?

Tucker is about eight years old which isn't ancient, not even for a Lab. He isn't exposed to any kind of persistent noise and has never suffered damage from ear infections... never had an ear infection in his life. I don't think he's ever even had dirty ears :o .

Could he just be suddenly losing his hearing? Any clue why? I'm wondering if anyone who has experience can pipe up here. What I'm really wondering is if it's possible he may lose SOME hearing and then level out, or does hearing loss usually just get progressively worse until they're deaf? I've had a deaf dog before, so I can cope, but that dog was deaf when I got him and he was already about 9000 years old. I've never had one lose SOME of their hearing.

Thoughts? Of course, I'll be speaking with my vet, but I just thought I'd fish for some personal insight or experience. :(

[xavierandrea]

No experience here but I'm wishing the best..

[Guest Mutts4Me]

My lab Bandit started losing his hearing as he got old, but he'd had ear infections much of his life (as well as a gazillion other health problems). But we went through the same thing, with having to yell to get his attention, then having him think we were mad at him. Very upsetting to all of us :(

He always did hear the can popping open, though ;)

[mouseatthebusstop]

Poppy lost her hearing at around 10 years- it was sad but just one of the things which come with old age

[Carolk9s]

Jesse is losing his hearing too. I can be right behind him and unless I clap my hands loudly or yell, he does not hear me. I do a LOT of arm waving at the park, though his vision is also compromised, he can still see 'big' movement.

[Guest Anonymous]

dont know whyu he's loosing it but hey life with a deaf don ain't that hard!! lol just start training him with hand signals pick a sign for what you want sit to be and give him the sign and put him in a sit, and then the sign again and give lots of treats.. it's not that hard to train them ... best of luck!! keep us updated on him and what the vet says!

[DogPaddle]

Well, I would definately start combining hand signals with your verbal commands. And unless his hearing goes completely, start every command with his name and some kind of other sound signal he may hear even if hearing impaired. Perhaps a foot stomp, done jovially of course, as that may vibrate through the floor some. My uncle had a dog that went deaf but he often perked up at the sound of his own name or the word treat or any words that sounded remotely like his name or treat for some time. Hope the vet tells you good news.

[Guest Anonymous]

oh a way to get his attention if he can't hear that well is flash a flash light twords him.. cody know s clicker training but we use a flashlight instead of clicker...

[courtnek]

Laurels hearing is impaired, which the vet says is one of the reasons she frightens so easily. When she is asleep, especially, she doesnt hear me calling her. She told me to get close, call her name and then touch her gently, like on the top of the head, or the side if they dont like their head touched. She said always call their name first, if they can hear at all, so as not to frighten them by touching them unexpectedly. She said once I have her full attention, to then give her commands. I have taught both my dogs hand signals as well as verbal, and she responds much better to the hand signals with a verbal command as well. Free also responds to hand signals, but will also obey only on verbal. Yours may have a range hearing issue like Laurel. She can hear some sounds, like bass noise or slamming doors, perfectly fine. Voices seem to be her range issue. If your husbands voice is very deep, have him issue a command and see if your pup hears that better. Best of luck with him.

[imported_Kat]

Thats a really good idea to start combining a hand signal with a verbal signal. Old dogs can learn new tricks :wink: