Meet Luna, a very happy little dog with a big personality and an even bigger love of running, exploring and having fun. Luna was born deaf, but according to her owner Zoe, that certainly hasn’t stopped her enjoying life. She describes Luna as the “happiest, most spoiled wee princess”, and looking at her enjoying the Run Free fields, it’s easy to see why.
Luna loves a good run around, exploring her surroundings and enjoying the freedom to investigate all the interesting sights and smells around her. Run Free gives her the opportunity to do all of that safely, in a secure environment where she can enjoy being off lead without Zoe having to worry about her wandering off.
Luna has been visiting Run Free Fairlie’s Moor Field for several years and it has become a favourite place for her and her doggy friends. She has even celebrated birthdays there, making the field part of some very special occasions for her family.
More recently, Luna has also been discovering Seaview Woodland Field, the newer field at Fairlie. From the photos Zoe sent us, she looks very much at home exploring the woodland and enjoying everything this different environment has to offer.
How do you communicate with a deaf dog?
Communicating with a deaf dog is a little different from communicating with a hearing dog, but it doesn’t mean you can’t build a strong relationship or teach them all the skills they need.
For Luna, Zoe uses hand signals, which Luna has picked up brilliantly. She has learned signs for things such as recall and treats, and she’s also very good at checking in with Zoe. Instead of relying on a voice to get Luna’s attention, Zoe uses visual cues that Luna can see.
Hand signals can be used instead of spoken cues, with rewards helping a dog learn what each one means. Consistency is important too, so the same signals are used each time.
It’s also important to remember that dogs communicate with us through much more than sound. Their body language, facial expressions and behaviour can tell us a great deal about how they’re feeling. For a deaf dog, paying attention to these visual signals becomes particularly important.
Luna is a lovely example of how, with a little adaptation, deafness doesn’t have to be a barrier to a happy, active life. Zoe has found the ways that work for them, and Luna has clearly become very good at understanding her.
Deafness can happen at any age
While Luna was born deaf, many owners first experience deafness when their dog starts to lose their hearing as they get older. This can take some adjustment, but it doesn’t mean their life has to become smaller. Dogs are remarkably good at adapting, and with a little patience and some new ways of communicating, they can continue to enjoy walks, play, exploring and all the things they love.
For owners, it may simply mean making a few changes and finding new ways to communicate. Learning to use visual cues, paying closer attention to body language and making sure your dog can safely enjoy their surroundings can all help them continue to live a happy and fulfilling life.
A safe place to enjoy being a dog
Luna has her own fully enclosed gardens at home where she can have her zoomies, but having somewhere different to explore is still a wonderful part of her routine. For Zoe, one of the biggest benefits of Run Free is knowing that Luna can safely enjoy being off lead in a new environment.
Because Luna can’t hear, being able to call her back in an unsecured area isn’t an option. Zoe says she wouldn’t have Luna fully off lead somewhere that wasn’t secure, just in case she couldn’t see a visual cue to come back. That makes a secure field particularly valuable. Luna can explore somewhere new, enjoy the freedom to run and spend time with her doggy friends, while Zoe can relax knowing that she is safely enclosed.
Whether she’s enjoying the familiar surroundings of Moor Field or exploring the trees and paths of Seaview Woodland Field, Luna can simply enjoy the freedom to be herself.
More adventures for Luna
Over the years, Run Free Fairlie has become a familiar and much loved part of Luna’s life, from regular visits to birthday celebrations with her doggy friends. Now, with Seaview Woodland Field, she has another secure environment to explore and enjoy.
For Luna, being deaf doesn’t mean having to miss out. With Zoe’s understanding, a few adaptations and somewhere safe to enjoy her freedom, she can continue to explore, play and have adventures just like any other dog. And judging by these photos, Luna is making the most of every one of them.
Ready to let your dog enjoy the freedom to run?
Book a Run Free Field: www.run-free.link/book
Looking for more tips and advice?
Read Our Other Blogs: www.run-free.link/blog
