Deaf puppies ready to follow the signs to loving new homes
Dogs Trust Ilfracombe is appealing for homes for a litter of three sweet-enough-to eat puppies who were born totally deaf.
The adorable 10-week-old Collie puppies, two boys and one girl, have been named after popular chocolate bars Aero, Wispa and Kinder because they arrived at the rehoming centre just before Easter.
The cheeky bundles of fun found themselves at Dogs Trust as an unwanted litter, which staff suspect may be due to the fact that they suffer from congenital deafness. This condition is not uncommon in white dogs and, sadly, often results in many puppies such as these ending up in rescue centres or abandoned when breeders are unable to sell or find homes for them. Fortunately, Dogs Trust never puts a healthy dog down and will care for a dog for as long as it takes them to find their perfect homes.
Whilst they may not have their hearing, this terrific trio certainly aren’t lacking when it comes to their personalities. They are a happy, playful bunch and have already become firm favourites with staff who have been caring for them round-the-clock as they help get them used to their surroundings. The loveable pups are now ready to find adoring families of their own and are looking for owners who understand the training involved in teaching a deaf puppy.
Dogs Trust Ilfracombe Rehoming Centre Manager Elise Watson comments: “Our Easter puppies are such super characters who have made so many friends here at the rehoming centre– they are just like any other playful, happy puppies and I know they will make fantastic pets for loving owners willing to devote the time and patience needed to carry out their training. The full support of our behaviour team will be given to their new families to help train them to learn sign language to ensure they are able to become family members just like any other dog. We really hope that they will not be overlooked just because they are deaf as they are such sweet little characters who would make very rewarding pets in the right homes.”
Tom Candy, Training and Behaviour Advisor at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe adds: “When training deaf dogs, we use the same hand signals used to guide hearing dogs. The main difference is we have to be a bit more inventive when it comes to gaining their attention but by using reward based methods it is perfectly possible to train a deaf dog to respond to numerous commands. It would be very beneficial for the pups to learn from another good natured dog who could teach them how to behave. This affectionate threesome can live with young children and would suit an active home with calm, patient owners who have the energy to keep up with their boundless enthusiasm.”
If you would like to offer a home to Kinder, Wispa, Aero or any of the wonderful dogs cared for at Dogs Trust Ilfracombe, please call the Rehoming Centre directly on 0300 303 0292 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, caring for nearly 17,000 stray or abandoned dogs every year through its network of 20 Rehoming Centres across the UK and one in Dublin.
