How to Stop a Deaf Dog From Barking

All dogs bark just like humans talk and birds chirp; it’s natural dog behavior. However, when dogs bark incessantly, this can become an issue with neighbors. Plus, barking is annoying and frustrating to pet owners too. When barking happens, it’s important to teach dogs to do something other than bark. This principle applies to deaf dogs too. Learn how to stop your deaf dog from barking.

Why Deaf Dogs Bark

First, let’s address this question. Do dogs bark if they’re deaf? Yes, deaf dogs still bark and they bark for numerous reasons. Frustration is usually the main cause for excessive deaf dog barking. When deaf dogs are frustrated, barking becomes a calming mechanism in a way. Think about it this way: When people are nervous, they talk a lot. It’s an easy way to calm oneself when stressed or frustrated. Soon, deaf dogs learn to bark every time they’re frustrated and hence excessive barking.

Sounds and visual stimuli are other reasons deaf dogs bark. While hearing impaired dogs are unable to hear certain distractions, they’re able to see. Hearing impaired dogs will bark whenever they see people and dogs walking nearby too. Plus, deaf dogs learn super quickly. When their pet owners walk to the front door, they’ve learned that someone is there and will bark.

On the flip side, hearing impaired dogs will bark when they’re excited too. It’s fun when visitors walk through the door or their pet owners arrive home from work. By far, this deaf dog behavior is the easiest to redirect with toys and games.

Training a Deaf Dog Not to Bark

Take a day or two to figure out what causes your deaf dog to bark. Once a trigger is discovered, it’s time to get busy and teach your dog to do something else besides bark. You’ll need lots of super yummy treats, a pen flashlight (as a marker) and leash. In the beginning, set your dog up for success by keeping him leashed until he understands what to do instead of bark.

For Visual Stimuli

It’s best to take a two-prong approach and use management tools to change your dog’s behavior. One way to manage your dog’s behavior is to block access to windows facing foot traffic with baby gates. If blocking access is impossible, keep curtains and blinds closed. For a deaf dog that barks at visual stimuli when you’re away, consider crating your dog.

To stop your deaf dog from barking, leash your dog and stand next to the window with super yummy treats. Ask a friend to walk on the sidewalk and wait for your hearing impaired dog to stop barking. It will happen, even if it’s just for a nanosecond, so catch it when it does. The moment your deaf dog stops barking, point the pen flashlight near his front feet and give him a treat. Continue to practice 1-2 minutes per day.

For Frustration

Hearing impaired dogs become frustrated for many reasons. If visual stimuli are an issue, follow the above recommended dog behavior protocol. For bored dogs, it’s important to offer daily mental stimulation. Take your deaf dog for a 30-minute walk every day, feed meals using interactive dog toys and hire a pet sitter for midday walks. Playing a game of tug or fetch is an excellent way to release pent-up stress too. You can also purchase a food dispensing toy, such as Pet Tutor, to reinforce quiet behavior while you’re away.

When Professional Help is Needed

Hiring a positive reinforcement dog trainer is always a good idea, especially if he or she has experience with deaf dogs. Having a dog training expert in your home is worth its weight in gold! Deaf dogs can suffer from separation anxiety or general anxiety as well. When in doubt, bring a professional into the mix to pinpoint exactly what’s going on.