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elderly deaf dog no longer barks

(23 Posts)
ggmarion Wed 04-Jan-17 17:14:19

My 16 year old West Highland Terrier is now totally deaf and his sight isn't too good. He still enjoys his walks and his food and seems happy. The trouble is he no longer makes any sound so I have to watch him all the time to see if he wants to go out. In the past I have thought "I wish he would be quiet" - just goes to show you should be careful what you wish for. Anyone with experience of this? Any hints or tips welcome.

TriciaF Thu 05-Jan-17 10:24:24

Our border collie is 14 now and I think she's starting to go deaf, she still barks, but often at inappropriate things, like one of us suddenly speaking.
Our neighbour has a very old dog who is completely blind and deaf, but he still potters about, visits us sometimes. Uses his nose.
It's a problem with your dog if he can't let you know when he wants to go out. Maybe let him out automatically after he's eaten, or woken up from a sleep?
Our collie has a strange ability to use her eyes to make you turn and look at her, even when you don't know she's there, it's sort of hypnotic.

bellsisabelle Thu 05-Jan-17 10:32:23

I think I've got quieter as I've got older.

Ana Thu 05-Jan-17 10:35:39

But are you going deaf as well?

rosesarered Thu 05-Jan-17 12:19:24

grin

rosesarered Thu 05-Jan-17 12:19:52

Strange isn't it, because old cats become much more vocal.

Christinefrance Thu 05-Jan-17 12:48:52

Your Westie is a good age bless his heart. Think Tricia is on the right lines, let him out at regular intervals post food and after sleeping, he may need to go out more often as he is older.

mumofmadboys Thu 05-Jan-17 13:26:20

Our dog is 13. She is a staffie cross. She also rarely barks nowadays. We walk her four times daily so she always'performs' then.

whitewave Thu 05-Jan-17 13:39:46

Ahh! I watched the Horizon thing last night about dogs. Amazing!!

Yes I agree with rose our last cat Tabitha at 18 never stopped yowling it drove the neighbours mad, poor little soul she was missing her brother Timothy who passed away about 3 months before Tabatha. Tim in turn died 3months after their brother Toby sad not a good year.

ggmarion Fri 06-Jan-17 10:51:58

I should perhaps have said that I also have to watch to see if he wants to be in when in the garden. Previously he would come to the door and bark to be let in. Terrified incase DH lets him out and forgets about him sad

TriciaF Fri 06-Jan-17 11:35:50

If he's a West Highland terrier he's probably used to cold weather. Our bc loves cold damp weather, she has always wanted to stay out all night, guarding the house, then sleeps most of the day.

TriciaF Fri 06-Jan-17 11:39:23

Is this what he's like? So cute.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Highland_White_Terrier#/media/File:Westie_Chloe.jpg

LadyGracie Fri 06-Jan-17 12:22:48

Not a dog but.....My 16 year old BSH cat Gracie has gone deaf, she no longer meows, she screams and howls but thankfully only when she's alone. She used to scared of her own shadow she's very laid back now and she is very content because she can't hear the 'scary' noises she didn't like, the Hoover and the doorbell for instance. She is also losing the use of her back legs, poor sausage.

Anya Fri 06-Jan-17 13:20:25

My 14 year old, one-eyed (with cataracts), Lhasa is stone deaf. But he knows his way around the house usually and can still find the catflap to take himself outside.

Sadly, especially at night, he cannot always find his way back again and I often have to go and find him when he gets lost in the garden.

ggmarion Fri 06-Jan-17 16:35:26

TRiciaF. That link could be Angus. Thank you all for your kind support

hildajenniJ Fri 06-Jan-17 20:27:42

My parson Russell terrier is seventeen and deaf. She still barks occasionally but has to have seen someone or something go past the window. We know when she wants out as she starts pacing back and forth.

hildajenniJ Fri 06-Jan-17 20:31:03

My parson doesn't like going for a walk now either. I think she is losing her sense of smell also

grannyqueenie Fri 06-Jan-17 20:43:45

I had the opposite problem, when our springer spaniel began to lose her hearing she barked more. The vet said because she couldn't hear herself barking she'd forgotten where her "off button" was!

celebgran Sat 07-Jan-17 19:27:21

Our beloved King Charles will be 14 in march bless her she is very deaf has been for years. She does bark quite a lot maybe she can't locate off button!

Kitspurr Sun 08-Jan-17 00:00:35

You just have to be more observant when they get older to make sure they have everything they need. My 19 year old cat has become more vocal and very loud since losing his hearing. The one positive thing for him though, is that he now gets a really good, deep sleep, because he doesn't hear every little sound and can relax more. It's lovely to see him in deep slumber.

celebgran Sun 08-Jan-17 09:50:25

Kitspurr that's probably
Y why Rosie sleeps so soundly never thought of it like that, she has slept in our room for last couple years she needs to be close to us, my little shadow love her so much ❤️

Grannyben Sun 08-Jan-17 23:01:20

Oh I'm sorry Anya but your description of your darling boy did make me chuckle

celebgran Mon 09-Jan-17 15:12:16

Rosie wouodmhave gone blind if we hadn't taken her to,eye specialist she needs drops and ointment twice a day and it's i pricey.

She is of course worth it!

Bless she had hysterectomy last summer.

She made complete recovery very quickly