BY SANDI CARPELLO
Staff Writer
MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Dudley, a 4-year-old mutt found tied to a tree outside a Sayreville pet adoption facility, poses with Cathy DiMatteo, who designed a new method of communication for the deaf dog. When Dudley arrived at the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center last September, it was obvious he was different from the other canines.
Unlike the dozens of boisterous cats and dogs who are eagerly awaiting adoption at the Main Street animal shelter, Dudley, a 4-year-old, 90-pound, mixed-breed pit bull, was uncommonly tranquil. He never barked and was reluctant to socialize with the other animals.
“Dudley was found tied to a tree outside the Sayreville Pet Adoption Agency one morning last fall,” said the adoption center’s Volunteer Coordinator Barbara Keegan. “Within a day or two, staff and volunteers noticed he was basically unaffected by the noise and activity level of the shelter. He spent his days sleeping peacefully in his cage, wagging his tail at everyone who passed by, never barking, never becoming agitated. Upon testing, it was quickly determined that Dudley was deaf.”
According to Keegan, the news of Dudley’s condition brought on a whole set of challenges and concerns to the staff and volunteers at the center.
“First off, extra care has to be taken to make sure that Dudley did not ever slip out of his collar, slip off his leash, or get away from any of his handlers,” Keegan said. Basic obedience training would have to be executed in a different style than with hearing dogs and caution would need to be taken in order not to startle him, she said.
In addition, the staff at the animal shelter knew that it would be extremely difficult to find a family fit and willing to adopt him.
But shelter volunteer Cathy DiMatteo, a certified obedience trainer and owner of the Milltown-based Paws Up For Training LLC, took it upon herself to make Dudley a more adoptable pet.
After conducting research on various sign language programs geared towards deaf dogs, DiMatteo designed a unique method of training for Dudley.
Since mid-September, DiMatteo has dedicated four hours of her week teaching Dudley how to communicate and how to feel at ease in his surroundings. After taking him for an hour-long run outdoors using a 20-foot leash, she teaches Dudley how to focus by simply tapping on the floor around him. Using hand gestures, she has also taught him basic obedience commands such as “sit,” “down,” “wait” and “no.”
DiMatteo also designed her own reward and punishment system. When Dudley performs well, DiMatteo will give him an exaggerated thumbs up signal. When he is misbehaving, DiMatteo wags her finger.
“When communicating with Dudley, I have to exaggerate my facial expressions,” DiMatteo said. “Because Dudley is deaf, he relies more on his vision and sense of smell.”
Keegan said it has been a thrill to watch DiMatteo work with Dudley, which she described as a “gentle giant of a dog.”
“To see Cathy and Dudley work together is a real joy, and a testimony to the human/animal bond and the barriers that can be overcome, even when hampered by a handicap,” she said.
Although Dudley has made significant progress with his communication skills, the pet adoption center is still looking for a family who is fit to adopt him. DiMatteo said they are setting the bar high.
“We are looking for the most responsible person possible,” DiMatteo said. “Ideally, it would be someone who has experience with a nonhearing dog, but it’s not absolutely necessary.”
The perfect candidate would not have small children or any other pets, and would be someone who can provide Dudley with adequate exercise.
“We also need to find someone who can physically handle him because he’s extremely strong,” she said. “He can lift men off their feet.”
If anyone is interested in adopting Dudley, they can contact Keegan at the Sayreville Pet Adoption Center at (732) 727-3895.