Deaf Dog Who Couldn't Be Trained Brought to Heel Using Sign Language

A beautiful inspiring story. Most dog trainers teach by verbal and hand commands, so it is not surprising that this dog learned just by the hand language. Body language is very important in animal communication. Too bad none of his other owners didn't think to try this, but luckily for Horus, he now has a smart and loving owner.

Thank God for people like you Rosie!

Hi guys, thanks for your comments! Just wanted to say that this isn't really about me or Horus, I honestly don't feel what we do is remarkable, but it is about trying to change people's attitudes towards deaf dogs, and realise that they can make just as good a pet as any other dog. They are not disabled in my eyes, they just have different ways of working. I would not argue at all with the comment about hearing dogs, I don't think it is remarkable that Horus learns the signs, his story is more about that fact that he had some pretty severe issues when he came to me, and despite these he has been able to move on to become an ambassador for deaf dogs. The other difference is that Horus has been trained solely with hand signals for obvious reasons, whereas hearing dogs can be trained using sound as well as signs - but at the end of the day the reason I looked for a deaf dog as my first is BECAUSE I don't see any reason why they can't be trained the way any other dog is. He is not special to me because he is deaf, he is special to me because he is mine!! If we can help just one more deaf dog find a home or keep a home, then I am happy!!

That's wonderful!!!!

My daughter is deaf...her dog hears..but she taught it sign language so she could communicate..I swear she ignores most of us and expects sign commands..I have also worked with deaf dogs..my double dapple dachshund is very hard of hearing, she however takes cues from the others..especially when she should bark...We have several deaf dogs in our rescue and they are smart dogs. I am so glad that this one found someone that didnt "throw him out" because he had a disability..those dogs are some of the most loving if you give them a chance. Kudos to those that care. andieemt....I agree though nice to see ... dogs have been doing this for a long time..my daughter tried to teach my dogs sign since she was little..shes 31

Horus baby...i love you!! You were just acting out to the abuse you had to live with...until a sweet mommy understood you and talked "your" language and gave you a forever home. Horus my hubby is Deaf..do you have any friends like you? love you sweet face. |,,|/ = I love you in sign language

Hearing Dogs that serve the deaf & hard-of-hearing are trained to do tasks on command using sign language; if you want them to walk, heel, sit, come, stay, etc. etc. it is only done with sign language. Each of these dogs are trained for hours & months to make sure they can do the task at hand for the deaf & hard-of-hearing person they will be working/iivining with twenty-four hours a day, three hundred & sixty days a year. One of the task they learn beside training to be that person's ears is to understand commands in sign language.

So, for this to be a top headliner; pet dog to learn how to heel on command with using sign language; truly isn't the top headliner at all. Yes, it's nice to hear that a pet dog has learned to heel on command by using sign language & now has a home where he is welcome is great, but not a top headliner.

By the way, congratulations, dude!! Hope you learn more sign language to really enjoy your life as it was intended to be, as a dog.

I've taught "sign" to three of my dogs over the years! They are SO smart.....it just takes a human with the same attribute :)

This is a LOVELY dog! I'm SO GLAD he found his new master!

Not only has is he so smart to have learned all that sign language and improve his behavior, but he is extremely photogenic also!