We are currently enjoying a sit with an older dog , who is otherwise very healthy but the poor chap is deaf . The sit is going well and no particular issues arising from him being deaf ( although he can’t be let off the leash on walks as he won’t hear us calling him back )
I’ve started this thread because I’d love to hear any tips, suggestions and experiences from the experienced forum members who have cared for a deaf dog ( either on their sits or as an owner ) .
Awwwww 
we love the oldies. We’ve sat quite a number of partially deaf ones. I’ve bookmarked this thread for tips!
I’ve looked after a few deaf dogs. I always take note of tips that their owners give me. For example, one dog could make out a clap or whistle (but not much else). Also, as you’ve already mentioned, extreme caution with traffic or if the dog is allowed off-lead.
@Silversitters I’ve had the pleasure of caring for and loving Maggie, a deaf, golden Labrador, since 2021. Apr-May this year was my 8th time looking after her. She’s now nearly 15 and is such a special dog. As soon as I arrive, her tail wags excitedly and then over she goes for a tummy rub. The amount of fur she sheds is staggering 
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She needs to be walked on her lead around the neighbourhood but I can let her off at the nearby golf course. She’s content to have a wander there, mainly sniffing (and finding) banana skins thrown away by the golfers which she’s addicted to! She makes no effort to escape from me, probably because of the close bond we have and also she’s slowed down due to age.
Her deafness has not really impacted my care of her. In saying that, she is prone to ear infections which I’ve had to treat plus taken her to the vet.
She’s not an inside dog but lives very comfortably in the garage with access to the back garden. I just make sure not to surprise her and approach from the front so she sees me.
Surprisingly enough, she may be sleeping but when food is about, she’s right beside me!
I love her dearly.
The one deaf dog I sat for on THS was trained with hand signals. They left a diagram with the hand signals and meaning of each one. Thunder and lightning does not bother a deaf dog so that was a plus.
I sat for two deaf dogs on separate sits, including one that also was blind. The key thing was to not startle them, including not walking up behind them if possible. I’d let the blind and deaf one smell my hand when I approached, but he was an easygoing nonbiter. The other deaf one, I’d try to make sure she knew I was leaving the room visually. Otherwise, if she got left behind, she would bark, bark, bark to be retrieved.
I’ve gone on quite a few hikes with a friend whose dog is deaf. She usually lets him off the leash, and if we have another dog with us, he tends to follow their lead. She also uses a vibration collar on him—it’s great for recall or allerting him to follow hand signals.
I sat a deaf American pitty. He was a rescue about 8 years old and badly abused. He was protective of his home. In general he was not keen on men, and he growled at my partner upon arriving. He was relatively trusting with women. The dog knew some hand signals, was food oriented but did not know his name, and the sit was for 5 weeks. We became friends, and after 3 weeks great friends. I was the leader of the pack and i stood up for him when it was needed. I walked him off leash in one park that he was accustomed to. I also walked him off lead on the beach otherwise I would always walk him on leash. So much to tell … Do you have a particular question?
With my partner we also sat, an older deaf miniature poodle mix breed, and a deaf older dog. Best advice. Don’t touch them when they sleep.
