Ann Jorgensen, an animal behaviorist with Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, gives Otolith, a deaf Dogo Argentino, an “OK” sign with her hand to give him praise. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Ann Jorgensen, an animal behaviorist with Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, gives Otolith, a deaf Dogo Argentino, an “OK” sign with her hand to give him praise. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Deaf Wonder Dog ‘listens’ with his eyes in Port Angeles

The 1-year-old dog at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society knows several signs and hand gestures.

PORT ANGELES — He can’t hear, but that doesn’t stop a 1-year-old, 100-pound Dogo Argentino at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society from “listening” to staff and following directions.

Otolith, nicknamed the Deaf Wonder Dog, was likely born deaf, but thanks to his trainers at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society (OPHS), he knows several signs and hand gestures.

“He doesn’t know he’s deaf,” said Ann Jorgensen, canine manager and animal behaviorist at OPHS. “His deafness does not hinder his ability to be a dog at all.”

Otolith, named for a part of the inner ear, explores the world using his other senses, relying heavily on sight and smell to guide him.

Breed’s hearing issues

About 10 percent of his breed — large, white muscular dogs also known as the “Argentine mastiff” bred to be social but with the instincts to hunt wild boars — are born deaf, Jorgensen said. Another 30 percent are deaf in one ear.

Jorgensen fell in love with Otolith while volunteering at a shelter in Southern California but saw he wasn’t living in the best conditions. She recently had him transferred to Port Angeles, where he can get the training he needs to easily integrate into a family, she said.

Jorgensen, his trainer, has taught him at least eight commands and said there are more he can learn.

“He knows probably more than your basic household dog, but because of his size, I feel it’s very important he be good with his basic commands,” she said.

She taught him to make frequent eye contact and to pay attention to the distinct hand signals she makes. When walking, Otolith constantly makes eye contact with Jorgensen and is always looking around.

Among the techniques she uses to train him are food lures. By using treats, she has trained Otolith to understand that when he sees someone make an “OK” sign with their hand, he’s done something good.

Jorgensen usually uses a clicker to praise dogs that can hear. The OK sign replaces the clicker in Otolith’s case.

She is working to teach him to return when he sees a strobe light at night and hopes to get him a vibrating collar — not a shock collar — to teach him to return at any time.

“If you have a large acreage, it would be like having to whistle to call him back,” she said.

Training Otolith and other deaf dogs has improved Jorgensen’s communication with all animals, she said.

“It’s expanded my skills as a trainer, and it makes you think when you’re training about being consistent and being clear what you’re asking,” she said.

“It’s actually made my training more concise, and they end up being better trained.”

When working with a deaf dog, people realize how visual dogs actually are, she said.

There are few instances where Otolith’s deafness could impact how he interacts with another dog because he’s always looking, she added.

As she continues to train Otolith, the humane society is seeking the right family to adopt him. Both because of his breed and his condition, applications are being screened carefully.

Because of Otolith’s size and young age, Jorgensen doesn’t recommend him living around small children.

She said he still has his “teenage naughties” and might chew things he isn’t supposed to. He also enjoys chasing cats.

While he’s muscular and might look intimidating, Otolith loves being social with people and other dogs, she said.

“Even with his little teenage naughties right now, he’s so loving and is a big goofball,” she said.

“Everyone who works here has grown to love him.”

________

Reporter Jesse Major can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56250, or at jmajor@peninsuladailynews.com.

Otolith, a deaf one-year-old Dogo Argentino at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, is being trained to understand hand signals. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

Otolith, a deaf one-year-old Dogo Argentino at the Olympic Peninsula Humane Society, is being trained to understand hand signals. (Jesse Major/Peninsula Daily News)

More in News

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast, communicate with their friends by text while waiting for the start of the 2025 graduation parade on Friday. The parade began at Ediz Hook and culminated with a formal ceremony Friday evening at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Graduation parade

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast,… Continue reading

Suzy Ames.
College pivoting to meet deficit

School cuts more than $2 million in expenses

Pleasant Harbor Resort still seeking approval

Disagreements lead to delays and layoffs

Retiring Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marty Brewer, right, shares a career experience as his replacement, Michelle Olsen, listens during a retirement gathering on Thursday at Lincoln Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Olsen sworn in as PASD superintendent

Stevens Middle School name change proposed with four options

Two hospitalized following head-on collision

Two people were transported to Olympic Medical Center following… Continue reading

Royal Canadian Navy to conduct exercises

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific will conduct… Continue reading

Power outage scheduled in Freshwater Bay area

Clallam County Public Utility District No. 1 has scheduled power… Continue reading

Slope repair work slated for Highway 19 on Tuesday

Maintenance crews from the state Department of Transportation will… Continue reading

Mike O’Brien of Port Angeles watches as his dog, Nara, left, catches a flying disc and his other dog, Copper, waits for his turn to fetch a ball on Thursday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. O’Brien said catch and fetch are favorite activities for his canine companions. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Got it!

Mike O’Brien of Port Angeles watches as his dog, Nara, left, catches… Continue reading

40-week business program under way

Advisor training part of Recompete program

Port of Port Townsend may ask voters if they should increase term lengths

Commissioners could serve six years if ballot measure is approved