How to Care for a Deaf Dalmatian

The Dalmatian, also known as the ̶0;coach dog̶1; or the ̶0;firehouse dog,̶1; has a white coat scattered with black or dark brown spots. This coat comes with a price, however: approximately 10 to 12 percent of all Dalmatians are deaf. According to author Sandy Eckstein, lack of pigment on the Dalmatian̵7;s head may cause hearing-related nerve cells to die. Despite their lack of hearing, deaf Dalmatians make excellent pets -- as long as they receive the proper care.

  1. Obedience Training

    • Your deaf Dalmatian should still be trained, just like any other dog. Your dog is limited, as he can't be trained using auditory cues, such as verbal commands, marking a correct behavior with a clicker and treats or by using praise. However, dogs can be trained to understand hand signals just as they can be taught to understand commands. The visual cue provided by a laser pointer can mark a behavior as well as a click and has the same positive effect when followed by a treat or a pat on the head. As with training a hearing dog, effective technique employs clear hand signals followed quickly by positive reinforcement. Be patient and consistent in your training, and you'll be rewarded with a well-behaved dog.

    Safety

    • Your deaf Dalmatian should never be let off-leash unless he's in a fenced yard --and even then, only under your constant scrutiny. Unlike a hearing dog, a deaf dog can't hear you calling if he's loose; neither can he hear a car horn or the warning growl of another dog. In addition, your Dalmatian should always wear a collar and an identification tag that indicates that he's deaf, as well as his name and your phone number.

    Health Care

    • Dogs born with patches, in addition to the spots they develop over time, are less prone to deafness.

      Unlike dogs that become deaf due to chronic ear infections or due to age, Dalmatians are often born deaf or become deaf shortly after birth. Although the Dalmatian Club of America Foundation is currently funding hearing research in conjunction with other Dalmatian-related organizations, there is no treatment that cures a Dalmatian̵7;s deafness. As discouraging as this information might sound, it means that no special health care is needed for your deaf dog.

    Determining if Your Dog Is Deaf

    • Dogs read human body language well. For this reason, you may be unaware your dog is deaf if you judge its ability to hear based on its being attentive to you. If you suspect your dog is deaf, clap your hands, yell or blow a whistle behind them when they're sleeping or paying full attention to something other than you. Avoid stomping on the floor. Doing so will cause a vibration, creating a non-auditory cue that even deaf dogs can use as an attention-getting cue. Using a variety of sounds, ranging from high to low in pitch and in different degrees of intensity, can help you determine the profundity of any deafness that exists.