Stories Celebrating Deaf Pets: Joe's Dog Pack

Out of Joe's four dogs, two of them are deaf, meaning that interacting with them is just a little different than the average dog household. But Joe's non-hearing four-leggers are still able to enjoy life to the fullest, just like their hearing counterparts. By using hand signals, gentle touch, and visual cues from their hearing canine friends, these deaf dogs wag, pant and play with the best of them!

Joe is an employee at Trupanion and with his employee benefit, receives free pet insurance for Walter, his Great Dane. Joe also has pet insurance on his other three dogs.

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[justusinc]

My Sam went deaf more then 3 years ago but fortunately when  I learned he was going deaf I taught him hand signals.. especially the  sign for 'I Love You' so   people never think he's deaf and when I sign to him his little tail wags & wags.He KNOWS..He turns 17 this year and is  still my little baby boy :) Bless you for  taking these dogs in. They all look healthy & happy.

[musicfanx]

It doesn't matter if they are deaf or blind... they are still lovable pets. They deal with it just fine. Bless you both for taking in these dogs.

[LadyMoomalade]

This is why I trained my girl with both hand signals and verbal commands.She might get old and become deaf and I don't want to see any confusion on her beloved face if that happens.Great job on training your pack :)

[amyem]

So sweet.  Thank you for rescuing, Joe!

[colleenquindlen]

Awe! I have three dogs, one of which is a deaf doxie. When we brought him home I was so nervous about taking care of him but he needed a home. I cant imagine life without him. He is so smart and just like the video, takes cues from the other dogs.

[Cptprice]

I loved your video. I just lost my beautiful deaf Great Dane on 12/27/2013. We lost him from bone cancer. Your boy looks just like my boy. I miss him very much and I know, even though it was hard, I knew he was ready to cross the rainbow bridge. I have the most amazing vet who I was with when it was time. I am looking to adopt another deaf Dane. I never had a better friend.

[trupanion]

Great questions! Walter the Great Dane is insured with Trupanion but does not have a higher premium than a non-deaf Great Dane would have. We don't penalize pets with pre-existing health conditions with higher premiums, however no pet insurance provider will cover veterinary costs associated with pre-existing conditions. I hope that makes sense!

[mollyolmstead]

Walter is an absolutely gorgeous dog! Can't believe no one wanted such a beautiful puppy!

[veronicaschenk]

Special people for special dogs just love them. Thanks for being there for them . got a Dane with selective hearing.

[gamingvixxengames]

I love seeing this video!!
I just recently got a Catahoula leopard, she is deaf and only 5 weeks old.
Watching this video makes me even more excited to raise such a beautiful dog!

[VinDcator]

Well, they certainly need as much love and caring as others.

[lorisiska]

I have a 14 year old deaf cat whom we got as a rescue when she was about 8. We didn't know until a couple of days later she was deaf. She sleeps through smoke alarms above her when smoke comes out of the oven :o) Like you, we do hand signals to get her attention, never walk up to her without some kind of foot on the floor signal. I'm not really sure she knows she is deaf. She is a lap cat who is a nurturer. Always needs to be taking care of us. I wouldn't trade her for the world. The only thing I wish I could change is her loud calling. She sounds like a dinosaur, not realizing how loud she really is.

[فيروزالصباح-طم]

franchement, c'est trop touchant. ...merci pour tout ce que vous faites pour rendre ces chiens heureux

[cherokeeanimalclinicrusk]

This video is awesome!  Walter is a great dog and we love the way the office communicates with him!

[laurelgirard]

Beautiful pack of pups! Love the Great Dane. It’s awesome how they help each other.

[marycaitlin]

This is such a beautiful video. My parents and I have a Great Pyrenees (Zeus) that is also deaf and it was amazing to see someone we've never even met communicating with their deaf pet just like we do with Zeus (stomping for vibration, hand signals, signals from other pets, etc). Deaf dogs listen with their eyes and hear with their hearts <3

[juliecrouse]

Great video! I have a deaf rescue boxer, and he is a well behaved love machine!

[grammawcathey]

In my experience deaf dogs are friendlier and form a special bond with you that's much stronger than you experience with hearing dogs. You become their ears & they trust you more as a result. A side benefit is that on walks they don't get distracted into responding to other dogs that bark at them & want to pick fights, instead they completely ignore them and attend to enjoying their stroll with you & attend to the business at hand. They also seem to enjoy being touched & held more.

[peace]

all dogs should be loved no matter what there problem is they are wounder full creatures and i love the fact that they r rescued dog the greatdane is a beautiful dog

[fharasimiw]

Excellent video. Good advice so people won't shy away from adopting deaf dogs. They are all so cute too.