The Hill’s 2025 State of Sheltering Report highlights a growing concern – people don’t feel like they are capable of being good enough pet owners whether it is due to expense, experience, or time. This is, in part, why deaf dogs face greater barriers to adoption than other animals in shelters. It can be intimidating, even for experienced dog owners, to navigate the mindset shift and learn visual cues alongside your new pup. “Caring for a deaf dog has taken a lot of patience and learning on our part, but at the end of the day, it’s not much different than caring for a hearing dog!” – Kelly There are approximately 35,000 deaf dogs in the U.S., with thousands more experiencing partial or laten deafness that can come from trauma or advanced age. Odie is one such dog. His happy tale wags true for many deaf dog lovers – they teach us about patience, resilience, and ourselves. Odie was well loved before coming to Humane Colorado, but training was tough and family resources like time were limited. Acknowledging Odie’s best life might be with another family who could dedicate themselves to his unique needs, Odie was brought into our care in late 2024. Just hours into the 2025 new year, sweet Odie struck gold when he was adopted by Kelly and her family. “We walked into the shelter on New Years Day not expecting to fall in love with a dog,” Kelly tells us. After multiple visits with Odie to meet the family, including their dogs, Miso and Luna, they decided t make him one of their own. “The first week was stressful, having no experience with a deaf dog. Now, Odie is part of the family.” Create a safe space for your special needs pet All pets need a space to call their own. For deaf dogs like Odie, it is important to consider how their differing needs inform their space, time, and attention. Here are some examples: Tailored training, play, and exercise Routine Understanding their unique needs Giving your deaf pet a companion animal Positive reinforcement Training a deaf dog Patience is key when navigating any new pet in your home, but it is especially important for you and your special needs pet as you learn how to communicate. Many experienced dog owners are used to vocal commands to guide their dog through life. For Odie, a private trainer helped his people learn effective communication. “We communicate to him using hand signals and positive reinforcement with treats.” Remember to give yourself and your dog grace when switching to a visual cue, such as using ASL to train your deaf dog. Consistency Consistency is key for a healthy bond with your pet. Like training, consistency looks different for your pet with special needs. “Odie stays in a really consistent daily routine, which helps a lot with potty training. He knows when he goes on his walks, when his breakfast and dinner times are, and when it’s time to relax.” Odie’s Golden Life 9 months later… Odie gets to enjoy doggy daycare one day a week. He is loved by our community of friends and family and often joins us for weekend adventures, hiking, and going to play softball. He is best friends with our other dog, Miso, and they have playtime around the clock. He is a HUGE softy… the friendliest of our pack and loves belly rubs. He is such a huge joy in our life, and we are so grateful for the love and patience he has taught us. He has been the perfect addition to our family and has given us a special spot in our hearts for deaf dogs. I would encourage anyone looking to adopt to consider a deaf dog, they are so fun and teach you so much about unconditional love and patience. Celebrating deaf dogs everywhere September 21-27 is Deaf Dog Awareness Week – a time to share stories and celebrate these amazing pets and their unique needs. Interested in opening your home to a special needs pet? We regularly have pets who, like Odie, need loving, committed homes. View adoptable dogs. Share Facebook TikTok Instagram
