You Can Teach An Old Dog New Tricks

Deaf border collie learns sign language so she can keep herding sheep

- Sarah Lumley

When elderly sheepdog Peggy went deaf it looked like her shepherding days were over – until she learned sign language.

The border collie was signed over to the RSPCA when her owners could no longer communicate with her.

But RSPCA animal welfare manager Chloe Shorten fell in love with the farm dog.

And she vowed to help nine-year-old Peggy get back to the job she loved.

Sheepdogs are traditionally trained to obey whistles or voice commands, with short, simple instructions such as Away, Come-by, and Steady.