Did you know that Dalmatians, Collies, and even some Terries have a genetic predisposition to deafness? If you can’t seem to get your overzealous pup to behave, maybe it’s because he/she doesn’t hear what it is you’re trying to say! So before disciplining them, check out the video and find out a new and better way to communicate with your four-legged friend.

What’s most appealing about teaching your dogs how to sign is how surprisingly easy it is for them to learn. Dingo, the Australian Shepherd who is featured in the video, is only three months old and can already respond to a handful of commands. In Selena’s experience, it generally doesn’t take more than a day for them to retain the lesson they’ve learned.

And whoever said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks obviously never considered sign language because no matter what age or breed your dog is, they’ll take it up with no problems. It’s much easier in fact, than teaching babies how to sign. Once infants do though, even they are able to speak to the dog. I watched Selena’s toddler do just that and it was quite impressive.

The reason is because dogs are 75% more likely to respond to gestures and body language than verbal commands. It’s impossible for you to understand what your dog is barking, so imagine yourself in their position. Notice how even though no one can understand what you’re saying in a foreign country, with some simple gestures, you’re able to communicate? According to a dog walker and a dog trainer that Selena consulted, people talk too much to their dogs and they get them all worked up with their voices.

There are many reasons why you might consider using sign with your dog:

* To give a silent command in a noisy environment
* To give a command (like ‘wait for me’) through a window
* To give a secret command to your dog in front of others
* To give your dog a command from a distance. In situations such as heavy traffic, this could potentially save their life
* To be able to communicate with your deaf or aging dog
* To train acting dogs for movie sets

Selena’s DVD has even caught the attention of A-list Hollywood celebrities and was invited to be part of The Oscar’s gift basket this year.

Mimic Mutt is available online at:

www.mimicmutt.com and www.mimicbabyondemand.com

And in the following Yaletown stores:

Luv My Dog at 1051 Mainland St, Vancouver www.luvmydog.ca
The Dog & Hydrant at 1146 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver www.thedogandhydrant.com