Deaf dog masters sign language, passes toughest obedience test in Britain

LONDON - An owner may turn a deaf ear to a dog’s bark, but a deaf dog in Britain received an honour for being the most obedient.

Zippy the Boston terrier, received the Kennel Club’s highest award for obedience, and all the credit goes to his owner, who came up with her own form of sign language.

Despite being completely deaf, two-year-old Zippy passed the tests such as going to bed and staying there, walking by his owner’s side while ignoring another dog nearby and walking at heel along a road among others.

His proud owner, Vicky Tate, 65, who lives near Grays, Essex was totally elated.

“A lot of dogs which can hear were struggling with the exam. It was the first time the training school had given the award to a deaf dog and everyone was stunned when he passed,” the Daily Mail quoted Tate as saying.

Zippy has mastered 20 commands including sit, stand, lie down, stay down (see panel) and stop, which are communicated to him through hand and leg movements.

Heidi Lawrence, GCDS education manager at The Kennel Club, concluded by saying that, “Zippy is obviously a special dog and as he was born deaf, passing the Gold GCDS is a major achievement. It just goes to show that good dog training is accessible to all dogs.” (ANI)