When it comes to dogs, they say the nose knows! And they have incredible olfactory receptors that are always working and definitely play a part in allowing dogs with failing eyesight or deafness live happy and normal lives.
However, if you are traveling with a pooch that is either sight or hearing impaired, it’s really important to alert any new people you come into contact with of your dog’s physical challenge so that they understand not to reach out to pet your dog or approach from behind, giving your dog a fright and possibly snapping because he’s been spooked.
A bandana or a harness that alerts to limited eyesight, even blindness is a great way to alert to the situation and it will allow you to start a conversation. And the same goes for deaf dogs or the hearing impaired.
It’s always a good idea to train a hearing-impaired dog to understand hand signals so that you can communicate with him wherever you are and will be less anxious if he’s in strange surroundings. A low vibrating collar or a clicker-training stick that lights up or even a small flashlight are other ways to get your dog’s attention when you are traveling.
If your dog is quietly snoozing at your feet when you arrive and a hotel and are checking in or eating at a pet-friendly restaurant, when you are ready to move on, a shoulder pat or tapping your foot on the floor will alert your pooch whether he’s sight or hearing-impaired to get up and that it’s time to go.
