RSPCA Kennel Staff Hope Deaf Dog Could Learn ‘Sign Language’

For six-year-old Eddie, finding a forever home could mean learning a whole new way to communicate.

The deaf bull-breed dog was rescued after being abandoned at a property in Durham. He was taken into the care of the RSPCA’s Block Fen centre in Wimblington, Cambridgeshire, where staff soon discovered that he could not hear.

Rather than allowing his deafness to hold him back, Eddie’s carers believe it could become part of what makes him such a special companion.

A dog who is ready to learn

According to kennel supervisor Tiffany Fowler, Eddie has already shown signs that he can respond well to visual cues.

When a treat is held above his head, he will sit, suggesting that he could learn a range of hand signals and other visual commands with patient training.

Staff also say Eddie becomes excited when people interact with him, particularly when he is looking directly at them. His carers believe he may be particularly attentive to facial expressions and visual communication.

The RSPCA believes Eddie was probably born deaf, but staff say he copes remarkably well.

In fact, his carers sometimes forget that he cannot hear.

His deafness has an unexpected advantage

Life in a busy rescue kennel can be noisy and stressful for dogs. Eddie, however, has one unusual advantage: he doesn’t hear the constant barking around him.

While other dogs may become excited when staff arrive in the morning, Eddie is often still peacefully asleep in his bed.

His carers make sure to approach him gently and touch him carefully before waking him, so that he isn’t startled.

For Eddie, his lack of hearing may actually make the kennel environment calmer than it is for some of the other dogs.

The right home could make all the difference

The RSPCA is now looking for someone who can give Eddie the patience, attention and training he needs.

His new owners would ideally be willing to communicate with him using hand signals and other visual commands. Because he cannot rely on hearing his name, spoken instructions or everyday household noises, visual communication will be particularly important.

But deafness doesn’t mean Eddie cannot enjoy an active and affectionate life.

Like any rescue dog, he will need time to settle into a new environment and build trust with his new family. With consistent training and positive reinforcement, his carers believe he has plenty of potential to learn.

A reminder that different doesn’t mean less

Eddie’s story is a reminder that animals with disabilities can still have enormous amounts of love, personality and potential to give.

A deaf dog may require a slightly different approach to training and communication, but that can become an opportunity rather than simply an obstacle. For the right family, learning to communicate through gestures, expressions and routines could become a unique part of their relationship.

Eddie is waiting for someone who is prepared to see beyond his disability and give him the chance to show what he can do.

For now, he has the support of the team caring for him at the RSPCA’s Block Fen centre. What he needs next is a permanent home where his new family will be willing to learn his language — and teach him theirs.