“He always reacts to that sign the same …”
Deaf Rescue Dog Learns Sign Language — and Wins Hearts Everywhere
When Bruno senses it’s time for his favorite activity, his whole body springs to life — tail wagging, paws tapping, and happy barks filling the air. But in Bruno’s home, the word “walk” is never spoken out loud.
Instead, his parents, Skye and Daniel Tibbetts of Stourbridge, England, tell him in British Sign Language (BSL).
A now-viral video shows Daniel signing “walk” to Bruno, who immediately bursts into excited zoomies. “He always reacts to that sign the same way,” Skye told The Dodo. The adventurous pup especially enjoys long rambles in Wales — although, as Skye admits with a laugh, he sometimes decides halfway through that he’d rather head back to the sofa.
When the Tibbettses first adopted Bruno, they had no idea he was deaf. They noticed he wasn’t responding to voices, so they even tried speaking Spanish, assuming it might be a language barrier. But a vet visit revealed the truth: Bruno couldn’t hear at all, possibly due to a severe ear infection he had when rescued from the streets of Spain.
Determined to help him thrive, the couple began teaching him sign language — something they were already familiar with, as Daniel’s parents are deaf. With a little patience (and plenty of treats), Bruno learned quickly. Today, he understands signs for “give paw,” “stay,” “lie down,” “roll over,” “spin,” “play dead,” and, of course, “walk.”
Skye says Bruno is especially affectionate, relying on touch and eye contact to connect. But his happy, goofy personality didn’t emerge overnight. In the beginning, he was defensive around food and prone to mischief. “He just needed patience and safety,” Skye said. “That’s when we met his real, loving personality.”
Bruno has been there for the couple through life’s milestones — even serving as the ring bearer at their wedding. In return, they’ve given him the love and security he always deserved.
“Bruno is such a huge part of our lives,” Skye said. “Everyone deserves to know the loyalty and comfort of a good dog.”