Some dogs need to learn new tricks.
The Central Nebraska Humane Society has a program to teach deaf dogs sign language so they can better communicate with their owners. The practice began a few months ago when the shelter took in two hearing impaired animals for the first time, Executive Director Laurie Dethloff told the Daily News.
Volunteer Tracie Pfeifle has been working as the primary teacher for a 4-year-old boxer-pit bull mix named Rosie to develop a new type of one-handed sign language. The system modifies existing signs so she can communicate with the canine and hold onto the leash at the same time.
She told The News she started with an American Sign Language book and a bunch of treats.
She soon discovered the process would not be much different than teaching dogs who can hear. It just takes a lot of repetition and positive reinforcement, she said.
“I asked which dog could use the most affection,” she said. “[ROSIE] was pretty scared at first. I don’t think she had a good first four years of her life.”
The Grand Island, Neb., resident said Rosie took to it very quickly beginning with the first sign – a thumbs up that means “good girl,” Pfeifle said.
“It’s amazing to watch her come into her own person,” the volunteer said. “She reacts well with others now where before she was reserved.”
Dethloff said hearing impaired animals can be targets of abuse because they cannot communicate their needs, so learning sign language can dramatically increase their quality of life. The society hopes they can find families to adopt these animals.
“It’s been exciting to watch,” she said. “It’s not that complicated [to train deaf dogs]. You just have to be more visual and right in front of their face.”
And now Rosie looks to people’s faces to actively engage with everyone at the shelter and follow commands, Pfeifle said. The volunteer said she would also start working with a deaf 9-month-old pit bull named Noah.
“The dogs are very smart,” she said. “They have to be so they can [SURVIVE]in their environment.”
jlandau@nydailynews.com Follow on Twitter @joelzlandau
