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Tiverton Blue Cross deaf dogs taugh sign language | This Is Exeter
JUST what do you do when the usual commands of sit and stay fall on the deaf ears of man’s best friend?
Rather than just talking louder, a Devon dog charity has adopted sign language for two of its canine residents.
The Blue Cross, at Cadeleigh, near Tiverton, is started signing to Chester, a seven-year-old energetic boxer, and Sissy, an eight-year-old collie cross.
The pair are being taught by the staff at the centre who say both are responding to sign language.
Amy Brooks, animal welfare assistant at the charity’s Tiverton centre, said: “We are using hand signals to work with the dogs.
“It is going well. It’s not easy, but it seems to be working and they seem to be responding.
“It is supposed to be all done with your hands, but it is human nature to talk to them as well as they pick up on facial expressions and body language.
“We don’t often have deaf dogs so this is something fairly new to us.”
The pair are being taught that thumbs up means good boy or girl, waving a finger means no, arms outstretched means come here and an outward palm means stay.
Louise Lee, from the charity’s fundraising office, said: “It is really important for them to learn these basic commands and also to know to keep looking to their owner as they can’t hear them.
“It really improves the relationship between deaf dog and owner if they can communicate.
“Both dogs are responding really well to learning sign language, and also to the rewards of fuss and treats when they get it right.”
Both dogs are looking for homes and staff want to hear from anyone who would like to adopt them.
Sissy has been at the centre in Tiverton for some time despite revelling in her new found skills. In fact, she has had the longest stay of any dog since her arrival in the summer. Staff are concerned that the canines are being overlooked by potential new owners because of their disability.
To contact the charity, call 01884 855 291 or visit Blue Cross UK: Animal Welfare Charity, Animal Hospitals, Animal Adoption UK.
Opened in 1985, the Tiverton centre is now one of the charity’s largest centres. It serves Tiverton, Exeter, Crediton, Cullompton, Wellington, Taunton and North Devon.
JUST what do you do when the usual commands of sit and stay fall on the deaf ears of man’s best friend?
Rather than just talking louder, a Devon dog charity has adopted sign language for two of its canine residents.
The Blue Cross, at Cadeleigh, near Tiverton, is started signing to Chester, a seven-year-old energetic boxer, and Sissy, an eight-year-old collie cross.
The pair are being taught by the staff at the centre who say both are responding to sign language.
Amy Brooks, animal welfare assistant at the charity’s Tiverton centre, said: “We are using hand signals to work with the dogs.
“It is going well. It’s not easy, but it seems to be working and they seem to be responding.
“It is supposed to be all done with your hands, but it is human nature to talk to them as well as they pick up on facial expressions and body language.
“We don’t often have deaf dogs so this is something fairly new to us.”
The pair are being taught that thumbs up means good boy or girl, waving a finger means no, arms outstretched means come here and an outward palm means stay.
Louise Lee, from the charity’s fundraising office, said: “It is really important for them to learn these basic commands and also to know to keep looking to their owner as they can’t hear them.
“It really improves the relationship between deaf dog and owner if they can communicate.
“Both dogs are responding really well to learning sign language, and also to the rewards of fuss and treats when they get it right.”
Both dogs are looking for homes and staff want to hear from anyone who would like to adopt them.
Sissy has been at the centre in Tiverton for some time despite revelling in her new found skills. In fact, she has had the longest stay of any dog since her arrival in the summer. Staff are concerned that the canines are being overlooked by potential new owners because of their disability.
To contact the charity, call 01884 855 291 or visit Blue Cross UK: Animal Welfare Charity, Animal Hospitals, Animal Adoption UK.
Opened in 1985, the Tiverton centre is now one of the charity’s largest centres. It serves Tiverton, Exeter, Crediton, Cullompton, Wellington, Taunton and North Devon.