Is your dog ignoring you—or just hard of hearing? One owner spent five years trying to figure it out
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If you’ve ever called your dog only to be met with silence—or worse, a slow head turn in the opposite direction—you’re not alone.
Many pet owners wonder whether their furry companions are truly listening or simply choosing not to respond.
One owner’s story about their rescue dog has captured wide attention online, sparking laughs and questions in equal measure.
For years, they’ve been unsure whether their pup is deaf or just has a knack for selective hearing.
The mystery has turned into a mix of humor, veterinary insight, and a reminder that pets sometimes keep us guessing.
Mabel, a rescue dog, became the focus of a widely shared social media post after repeatedly ignoring her owner’s calls.
In the clip, she sits calmly in the garden as her name is called again and again—without turning around.
The only sign of awareness is a slight twitch of her ears, leaving viewers to wonder if she can actually hear.
Her owner jokes, “She is either deaf or has been faking it for five years.”
Comments poured in, with some insisting dogs always respond to words like “treat,” while others suggested Mabel may not even recognize her own name since she was adopted as a rescue.
Dogs are intelligent, and sometimes that means they choose when to listen.
Veterinary experts say it can be difficult to tell the difference between true hearing loss and a stubborn pet.
Dr. Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, explains that partial deafness may look like disobedience: “The obvious signs would be poor response to auditory cues, but this can be very difficult to assess, especially if an animal is only partially deaf and then it might come across as just being stubborn.”
The most accurate way to test hearing in dogs is through a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test, which measures the brain’s activity in response to sound.
Most owners, however, rely on simpler methods—like shaking a bag of treats or saying “walk” softly from across the room—to see if their dog reacts.
Dogs may be deaf from birth (a congenital condition) or lose hearing later in life.
Some breeds, like Dalmatians and Australian Shepherds, are more prone to hereditary deafness.
Senior dogs often develop age-related hearing loss, while other causes include chronic ear infections, loud noise exposure, or ear injuries.
Source: TikTok / @jpb1478
Of course, if your dog still races to the kitchen when you open the treat jar, stubbornness—not hearing loss—may be the real explanation.
If your dog might be losing their hearing, visit a veterinarian to rule out treatable causes like earwax or infection.
Many dogs adapt well to hearing loss, especially if owners use clear hand signals, consistent routines, and gentle approaches to avoid startling them.
Keeping them leashed in unfamiliar places is also important for safety.
Whether Mabel is truly deaf or simply very selective, her story resonates with countless pet owners.
Pets bring humor, mystery, and plenty of love, even when they don’t seem to follow directions.
Sometimes, being ignored by a dog is less about defiance and more about what matters most to them in the moment.
Dogs like Mabel remind us that communication with pets isn’t always straightforward—but it’s always meaningful.
Whether through words, hand signals, or just shared routines, the bond between owners and their animals goes far beyond obedience.
At the end of the day, they may not always listen, but they’re always tuned in to our hearts.
Read next: Never lose your pet again: the tech trick every pet owner needs to know
Have you ever had a pet that seemed to ignore you on purpose? Do you think dogs truly practice “selective hearing,” or is it usually something else? What tricks have you used to get your pet’s attention? And if you’ve cared for a pet with hearing loss, how did you adjust to keep your connection strong?
Many pet owners wonder whether their furry companions are truly listening or simply choosing not to respond.
One owner’s story about their rescue dog has captured wide attention online, sparking laughs and questions in equal measure.
For years, they’ve been unsure whether their pup is deaf or just has a knack for selective hearing.
The mystery has turned into a mix of humor, veterinary insight, and a reminder that pets sometimes keep us guessing.
Mabel’s story highlights the mystery many pet owners face—are our dogs ignoring us, or are they struggling to hear? Image Source: Pexels / Hilal Diken.
Meet Mabel: deaf or just dramatic?
Mabel, a rescue dog, became the focus of a widely shared social media post after repeatedly ignoring her owner’s calls.
In the clip, she sits calmly in the garden as her name is called again and again—without turning around.
The only sign of awareness is a slight twitch of her ears, leaving viewers to wonder if she can actually hear.
Her owner jokes, “She is either deaf or has been faking it for five years.”
Comments poured in, with some insisting dogs always respond to words like “treat,” while others suggested Mabel may not even recognize her own name since she was adopted as a rescue.
Also read: How one woman’s painful diagnosis is reminding dog owners to take extra care
Why dogs sometimes don’t respond
Dogs are intelligent, and sometimes that means they choose when to listen.
Veterinary experts say it can be difficult to tell the difference between true hearing loss and a stubborn pet.
Dr. Patrik Holmboe, head veterinarian at Cooper Pet Care, explains that partial deafness may look like disobedience: “The obvious signs would be poor response to auditory cues, but this can be very difficult to assess, especially if an animal is only partially deaf and then it might come across as just being stubborn.”
Also read: Are you feeding your dog these 16 surprisingly dangerous foods? Vets say you should stop now
How deafness is diagnosed
The most accurate way to test hearing in dogs is through a Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test, which measures the brain’s activity in response to sound.
Most owners, however, rely on simpler methods—like shaking a bag of treats or saying “walk” softly from across the room—to see if their dog reacts.
Also read: Got this dog food at home? Urgent FDA recall requires you to stop feeding it to your pets immediately
Causes of hearing loss in dogs
Dogs may be deaf from birth (a congenital condition) or lose hearing later in life.
Some breeds, like Dalmatians and Australian Shepherds, are more prone to hereditary deafness.
Senior dogs often develop age-related hearing loss, while other causes include chronic ear infections, loud noise exposure, or ear injuries.
Source: TikTok / @jpb1478
Also read: Former burglar shares the tactics thieves look for when choosing homes, plus the surprising reason not to advertise your dog
Signs your dog may be losing hearing
- Ignoring their name or familiar commands
- Startling when approached from behind
- Sleeping more deeply than usual
- Failing to react to everyday household noises
- Ears not moving in response to sound
Of course, if your dog still races to the kitchen when you open the treat jar, stubbornness—not hearing loss—may be the real explanation.
Also read: This family’s beach walk took an unexpected turn—thanks to their dog!
How to test your dog at home
- The sneaky sound test – Make a noise behind them when they’re not looking.
- The treat test – Quietly open a snack bag or say a favorite word.
- The visual test – Try hand signals instead of words to see how they respond.
Also read: Could a dog help detect Parkinson’s years before symptoms appear? New research shows promise
What to do if you suspect hearing loss
If your dog might be losing their hearing, visit a veterinarian to rule out treatable causes like earwax or infection.
Many dogs adapt well to hearing loss, especially if owners use clear hand signals, consistent routines, and gentle approaches to avoid startling them.
Keeping them leashed in unfamiliar places is also important for safety.
Also read: The shocking truth behind dog kisses: an urgent warning from vets you can't afford to ignore
The joy of living with a “selective listener”
Whether Mabel is truly deaf or simply very selective, her story resonates with countless pet owners.
Pets bring humor, mystery, and plenty of love, even when they don’t seem to follow directions.
Sometimes, being ignored by a dog is less about defiance and more about what matters most to them in the moment.
Dogs like Mabel remind us that communication with pets isn’t always straightforward—but it’s always meaningful.
Whether through words, hand signals, or just shared routines, the bond between owners and their animals goes far beyond obedience.
At the end of the day, they may not always listen, but they’re always tuned in to our hearts.
Read next: Never lose your pet again: the tech trick every pet owner needs to know
Have you ever had a pet that seemed to ignore you on purpose? Do you think dogs truly practice “selective hearing,” or is it usually something else? What tricks have you used to get your pet’s attention? And if you’ve cared for a pet with hearing loss, how did you adjust to keep your connection strong?
