Gun dog hearing loss prevention?

UplandJim

Member
My Chessie Augustus will be 10 in August and his hearing just ain’t what it used to be, saw another post where some folks had ideas about ways to communicate with dogs with hearing loss, but was just wondering if anyone knew of or had experience with any kind of ear protection for dogs as I am certain his loss is associated with gun fire…. He has had many thousands of rounds fired in his near proximity.
Of course he is a Chesapeake and he may just be deciding he doesn’t need my help with anything 😀
 
Every one of my goldens has suffered from hearing loss. My 16 year old can barely hear a gunshot. My 12 year old can only hear a whistle if i blow till I’m red in the face. Wish it was different.
 
My Chessie Augustus will be 10 in August and his hearing just ain’t what it used to be, saw another post where some folks had ideas about ways to communicate with dogs with hearing loss, but was just wondering if anyone knew of or had experience with any kind of ear protection for dogs as I am certain his loss is associated with gun fire…. He has had many thousands of rounds fired in his near proximity.
Of course he is a Chesapeake and he may just be deciding he doesn’t need my help with anything 😀
I don't believe its hunting that is causing the problem. We have two Vizsla s that are hard of hearing and neither one hunted
 
I'm on my 6th generation of Labradors. As far as I know, none suffered hearing loss. A couple sat in my truck while we shot skeet or sporting clays, with the windows down. All hunted ducks, geese and upland game. Often setting right beside the gun in a duck blind. The oldest lived to be 14 and could hear a mouse f..rt at 100 yards. Not that it doesn't happen, but I personally don't agonize over it. Just one of the hazards of being a bird dog I guess.
 
When waterfowl hunting, I always have my lab stashed in a jet sled behind me, so no muzzle blast in the dog's ear.
Excellent point. I saw a magazine cover once with the guy holding an extended mag snow goose gun and the dog was pictured right in front of and below the muzzle. I thought, that's about the dumbest thing I've ever seen.
 
I don't believe its hunting that is causing the problem. We have two Vizsla s that are hard of hearing and neither one hunted
Spot on. Most cases it is degenerative just like eyes. Now, guys with 3 1/2" or any shell for that matter that hunt ducks with the dog sitting right next to them with five buddies blasting away maybe. But most upland dogs are never close enough when you shoot to bother the hearing. Unless your being really dangerous and stupid. But duck blind/boat dogs, possibly. None of mine developed hearing issues back in my duck hunting nut days.
 
I now here in Utah some of Air boaters, put ear muffs on there dogs on ride out and back.
It would be nice if you could put ear plugs in there ears, but they shake their heads, as soon you get them in and throw them out. I guess next must have item will $1000.00 pair dog Airpods for hearing and long distance commands
 
Back
Top