Hi All,

I miss posting here more often. Working nearly full time and carrying 13 units as a graduate student has been a HUGE undertaking this semester. I'm exhausted!

BUT - I happened to spit out a short blog post today about how my experience learning American Sign Language is similar to a dog's experience of learning a new behavior. I thought maybe some people might find it interesting - or that it might help clarify how even simple things like "sit" are more challenging for the dogs when we change up other details - like where we're standing, working in a new environment, etc.

Anyway, here's the post if you'd like to check it out. Feel free to share with others.

Caninestein Dog Training: Why learning American Sign Language is like being a dog.

Stephanie & Quiz

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"Quiz" (Golden Retriever) 12/31/03 - 3/20/13
U-CD, Can. CD Tanbark's Number Two Pencil, CDX, JH, AX, AXJ, OF, JS-E, RS-E, GS-E, NAC, WCDex, SRD
I loved being this dog's partner! Watch him shine!



"Zoie" (Whippet)
Donmar-Valair Second Wind, CD, RE, MC, ASCA-CD, Th.D.
#1 AKC Obedience Whippet for 2004 / AKC and ASFA FCH Pointed

Thanks Stephanie for sharing. Love your blog.

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9 & half short years in my life but forever in my heart http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...-my-buddy.html
"He took my heart and ran with it, and I hope he's running still, fast and strong, a piece of my heart bound up with his forever" - Patricia McConnell

Charlie could watch birds for hours and I could watch Charlie for hours too http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...n-morning.html

I found this very interesting. I will pass this to my sons girlfriend. She takes a sign language class in college. Her teacher is actually deaf. I bet she can relate to the points you have made.

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I'd love to know what the girlfriend thinks of the class. My instructor is deaf too. It definitely forces you to concentrate on learning the language, but it also made for a few frustrating moments, too!

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"Quiz" (Golden Retriever) 12/31/03 - 3/20/13
U-CD, Can. CD Tanbark's Number Two Pencil, CDX, JH, AX, AXJ, OF, JS-E, RS-E, GS-E, NAC, WCDex, SRD
I loved being this dog's partner! Watch him shine!



"Zoie" (Whippet)
Donmar-Valair Second Wind, CD, RE, MC, ASCA-CD, Th.D.
#1 AKC Obedience Whippet for 2004 / AKC and ASFA FCH Pointed

Hi Stephanie,
I haven't seen a post from you in so long, I'm so glad to see that it's just because you're so busy. I hope things are going well and you'll be back here a bit more often in the future.

Thank you for the article, I'll check it out tomorrow when I"m not so tired
Kristy

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Ellie and Mack

My brother in law is deaf, so I took a short ASL class this summer. It was fun but as you say, could be frustrating. There's an app for Kindle that cost about $4 I think, where a person actually does the sign for about 400 different words. I'll look up the exact title if anyone wants it.

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