Ms. Priyanka D Ajgaonkar is the first person in India to start teaching Sign Language for hearing dogs and also to deaf dogs.
She is been featured in Dogs & More Magazine also in Dogs and Pups Magazine.
She is internationally covered by USTimesNow & Globalstats.
Priyanka says “Dogs have the amazing ability to learn sign language. This approach helps your dog assign meaning to the hand sign much faster. This will foster an inclusive and loving environment in your home.
This will be opening him up to a world of inclusive communication. Communication is everything in a solid friendship, so it is especially important to be on the same page with your best furry friend”.
“Dogs can learn as many signs as they can differentiate thoughts and make moves. sign language eliminates the frustration and conflicting negative emotion that can arise when we speak directly to the dogs without success. The act of signing delivers a physical gesture the dogs can see and be conditioned to respond to”
It takes a bit more patience and understanding when it comes to training dogs who are deaf or hearing impaired.
Let’s have some Q&A with Priyanka D Ajgaonkar
- Journey with sign language and what made you learn ?
Priyanka : It was a very unique and interest concept I came across and my intrigue grew. That is when I decided to learn the sign language and understand the entire concept and its functioning. A simple gesture can go a long way and I am very glad to have come across such a wonderful concept.
2. How do u think u can help dogs who cannot hear?
Priyanka: Dogs can lose some degree of their hearing as they age, which is why these hand signals can really come in handy!
Dogs have an amazing ability to learn sign language and this approach helps your dog assign meaning to the hand sign much faster and also fosters an inclusive and loving environment in your home. It opens them up to a world of inclusive communication.
3. How do you do this – what are the commands you teach via sign language?
Priyanka: It does take a bit more patience and understanding when it comes to training dogs who are deaf or hearing impaired but it is not an impossible task.
Commands like Good, No, Paw, dinner, come, walk back, stand up, wait say, heel, n much more.
4. Any incident you will like to narrate?
Priyanka: One of my cousin’s dog was having difficulty in expressing his needs and that became a big problem later. It is then that I decided to come up with the idea of learning sign language and teaching to the pet parent.
5. What do you feel in general pets felt during Covid times?
Priyanka: Pets were in a happy zone seeing their pet parents spending more time with them, giving them a lot of attention, and pampering them as acted as a stress buster too for many.
6. Do pets get anxious – how do u think pet parents can take care of their pet anxiety?
Priyanka: Yes pets do feel anxious, Separation anxiety is most commonly seen in pets.
It is believed that the loss of an important person or group of people in a dog’s life can lead to separation anxiety. Other less dramatic changes can also trigger the disorder such as a change in schedule, in residence, or in household membership.
There are many methods you can use to help soothe your dog and make them feel more comfortable when being left alone:
Desensitization and counterconditioning, Crate training , Keeping your dog busy and happy by incorporating additional aerobic activity into your routine, playing fun, interactive games, walking on new routes and trails, providing food puzzle toys, or enrolling in a rewards-based training class.
Lastly, always consult with your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist before giving your dog any type of medication or supplement for a behavior problem.
7 . Any message to Pet Parents?
Priyanka: Happy Pet Parents = Happy Pets keep this mantra On
Priyanka is also India first Sign Language expert for Babies and Parents
She is also an LGBTQ activist and a great human being.
For more information contact:
Ms. Priyanka D Ajgaonkar | 9833584031 thefuunctionjunction@gmail.com | Instagram: Priyankka_Priii