Signing dog trainers
Callie Frye, Daily Moth Reporter: Many deaf people have dogs as pets and we know a lot about dog training. Oftentimes, we would hire dog trainers who don’t sign and may experience some communication barriers. It prompted me to find dog trainers who know ASL and found two signing dog trainers to interview. Take a look!
Leah Bornstein: Hi, my name is Leah Bornstein. I own Born to Be Dog Training.
[Photo of logo]
Savannah LeFors: Hi! My name is Savannah LeFors. I’m a dog trainer here in St. Augustine, Florida! My business name is Savvy Dog Training.
[Photo of logo]
Callie: Why did you want to become a dog trainer as an ASL user?
Leah: Since I was a child, I have always loved animals and been passionate about animal welfare - I was just following my heart. I happen to be Deaf as well! Now I’m a certified dog trainer through Victoria Stilwell Academy.
[Video clips of Leah providing training]
Savannah: I didn’t visualize when I was growing up to be a dog trainer. It happened by accident. I went to Florida State University (FSU). I happened to get a job at a Petco. I was very fascinated with dog trainers there because they were having so much fun and were happy with many dogs and interacted with people. I told them I was interested in learning and fast forward, I’m now a dog trainer.
[Video clips of Savannah providing training]
Callie: Why is dog training so important? What happens if you don’t train your dog?
Leah: It helps your dog understand how to behave in different situations. Humans do have expectations of their dogs behavior - training helps your dog understand what you want. Training keeps them safe by teaching them cues like "leave it" or "stay." Plus, it's a great way to bond and communicate with your dog, build trust, and enrich their mind. If you skip training, your dog might develop some behavior issues, which can lead to frustration and strain on your relationship. Training your dog ensures their overall well-being and your sanity.
Savannah: You want your dog to understand what you and the dog want in your relationship. When we bring a dog to live with us in our home, the dog will arrive not knowing what the rules are. Training helps to establish rules and communicate better about what they can expect and what will not work.
[Video clip of Leah providing training]
[Video clip of Savannah providing training]
Callie: What are the most essential questions we should ask a dog trainer before hiring?
Leah: I’d recommend asking: “What training methods do you use?” It's important to know that behavior often reflects underlying needs. Positive trainers focus on teaching skills to improve behavior while aversive methods focus on controlling behavior. I recommend avoiding trainers who use tools like chain collars, prong collars, e-collars, and so on. Check their certifications and make sure it’s reputable; be mindful of the trainer's language, as terms like "command" versus “cue”, and "dominance" or “alpha”, can indicate their training approach.
[Video clip of Leah providing training]
Callie: Can dog owners train without sounds? Are deaf dogs trainable?
Savannah: Yes! You can train deaf dogs. I have two deaf dogs myself. Sydney and Bindi.
[Image of the dogs]
Savannah: Both of them are very sweet and good dogs. They know probably a hundred signs, words, and cues.
[Video clip of Savannah providing training]
Savannah: Deaf dogs are, in my opinion, easier than hearing dogs. Because they don’t bark or are overly sensitive to noises. They are calmer and sleep overnight. They don’t become anxious when there’s thunder or fireworks. I prefer deaf dogs! I will always have deaf dogs.
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Callie: How do we go about training our dogs to be service dogs?
Savannah: Training a service dog is more difficult than what most people think, in my opinion. It is a long process. It’s not like you can simply adopt a dog and say “I’m deaf and this is my dog, it is a service dog.” You have to train the dog for two purposes: activity in the public and to do task training based on what the dog can do that the owner cannot do. I have helped train many service dogs but many of these dogs are not a fit. They do not enjoy it or are too anxious, or for various reasons. You can buy a service dog from a program but it is typically expensive. Even in programs where their aim is solely to train service dogs, their failure rate is up to 80%. So if you want to get and train a service dog yourself, it is important to work with a trainer from the beginning, before you even adopt the dog. It is very important.
Callie: Do you have tips or suggestions for prospective dog owners who’ve never owned a dog before?
Leah: Consider the commitment of dog ownership: Do you have the time for walks, training, and care? What will you do when you work or travel? Definitely research breeds. Research breeds for exercise needs, grooming, health issues, and breed-specific behaviors. Try fostering before adopting. I highly recommend learning canine body language. I recommend Lili Chin’s book -
[Full-screen image of a book, “Doggie Language” by Lili Chin]
Leah: - Doggie Language. It’s a great tool and very visual! Don’t be afraid to ask for help from positive reinforcement trainers. That’s what we are here for!
[interview ends]
Callie: Leah lives in Gilroy, CA but offers in-person training in the south and east Bay and virtual dog training sessions. Savannah can train dogs in person in North Florida and virtually everywhere. Thank you both for sharing important information about dog training.