Deaf Dog Learns Sign Language, Other New Tricks

GREEN BAY, WI — Samson wears an inquisitive look with penetrating eyes and slightly perked ears that suggest he’s relaxed and friendly. But until recently, he wasn’t very adoptable. Samson was born deaf, but this dog is learning some new tricks — including how to communicate with humans using American Sign Language.

The 11-month-old bully breed mix is currently living with a foster family, and has learned commands for “good,” “sit,” “down” and “no.” He’s also working on “target,” a signal that will show him where he should rest his body.

To get his attention or wake him, Samson’s humans stomp on the floor. Because he can’t respond to his spoken name, he wears a vibrating collar so humans can get the pup’s attention.

“I'm learning when it vibrates and I look at my people I get a treat or snuggles, especially if I do the sign command they show me,” says a post on PetFinder.com, where Samson is among the animals listed for adoption. “The collar does not hurt, and it is helping me to learn to communicate. Pretty cool huh?”

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Placing Samson in a permanent home is an ongoing challenge, said LaDawn Reuter, vice president of the Safe Haven Humane Society and Outreach Center, the Green Bay area shelter that the tan and white puppy over the winter.

“It’s a struggle for people, who wonder, ‘Do I really want to take that on?’ ” she told Patch. “But he’s a good boy.”

To teach Samson to sit, trainers push down on his behind — the same as they would with a hearing dog — and then show him the hand signal to sit. When he responds as expected, he gets a treat.

“It’s a treat in one hand and a signal in the other,” Reuter said. “His scent and eyes are so important. It’s how he relates to the world.”

Teaching any puppy with boundless energy and curiosity is tough, but especially so with Samson. And whoever decides to adopt Samson will also have to learn sign language, plus have a lot of patience and persistence, too. His training will be ongoing once he’s placed, Reuter said.

But because he doesn’t hear, he doesn’t bark much either — which could be a plus for a family that wants to adopt him.

Samson has a neurological disorder that makes him “seem kind of uncoordinated at times,” according to PetFinder. It mainly affects his motor skills when he’s excited or tired, but not a condition that requires ongoing veterinary care.

“It just means I look kind of goofy when I run or try to jump,” the description says. “It really does not bother me, so I hope it would not bother you!”

The foster family has cats and dogs and Samson is learning to treat them with respect, but the ideal family won’t have any other pets. He can’t hear the verbal cues animals give and as a result, can play roughly.

Other animals growl, snarl or snap to tell animals to back off, but because Samson doesn’t hear those warnings, play can escalate a fight if humans aren’t supervising.

“Based on all of this, I think I would do best as an only dog and would love a forever family that can offer me plenty of exercise, a consistent schedule and continued work on my manners and communication skills,” the adoption post reads. “I know with patience and persistence, I will make a GREAT family dog.”

Photo courtesy of Safe Haven Humane Society and Outreach Center