TAKE A CHANCE ON ME?

This is adorable little Elsie. Twelve pounds of spit fire who happens to be deaf. At least that is the way she looks at it, no big deal, she doesn't know what a world with sound is and she is determined to make the best of life just as she is.

Yes, a deaf dog does require special care. She will never be able to hear you when you call her so you teach her to come with a hand signal. The challenge is that she has to be able to see you to see the hand signal. It is very important therefore that Elsie and all deaf dogs always be kept on a leash or in a safely enclosed back yard. If they get loose or bolt, only luck and St. Francis will get them back safely. They don't hear cars, people yelling or other distractions. They follow their nose and what they see. Like humans, when one sense is not there, others become more keen. Elsie can probably smell better and see sharper than her canine siblings in foster care.

On the flip side, Elsie will never suffer phobias from thunder storms, gun fire or back fire. She will never hide from a fireplace because the wood popped or run away from the sound of a vacuum cleaner. She can learn sign language for all the basic commands and even some advance tricks. You bet she can smell that treat in your hand as you take in a circular motion to teach her to twirl. Move your fingers inward toward you for come, fingers pointed up for sit, flat hand moving down for down, fist to shoulder for wait, fist back and forth for stay. The possibilities are endless.

Little Miss Elsie is cute as a button and is so eager to please. She plays well with other dogs and loves to cuddle. She will watch her people intently so they try to avoid using their hands too much when they talk to other members of the family. Hands waving in the air can startle Elsie and cause her to wonder if that is a command for her.

Many Dalmatians are born deaf and many have wonderful homes where they have thrived and mastered basic and advanced obedience. Although not as common in other breeds, just like us, any puppy can be born deaf.

We are so thrilled that Elsie came into this world and into BTRNC foster care. We know that she will thrive in a loving forever home with a family who has just a little more patience and a little more love. She will return it for many years 100 fold. Please check Elsie and Chloe out on our Available Female Dogs page.

Elsie thanks you and so do we!