In just three weeks a bright, lively and eager little pup called Snowy has learnt how to sit, stop jumping and running around and acknowledge that she's been a good girl.

And that's some achievement for a dog that is being taught by sign language after being born completely deaf.

Now the managers of a West dogs' sanctuary are trying to find the four- month-old Jack Russell a home after her previous owners were unable to cope with her affliction. As the winsome, tail-wagging pup displayed her new tricks yesterday, Leslie Carley of the Dogs Trust Salisbury said: "She's a smashing little dog – an absolute delight.

"In three weeks she's learnt so much from sign language. Now we're looking for a new home for Snowy, with a sensible owner who will be happy to continue her specialised training."

A miniature terrier who only weighs 3kg, Snowy was born to a local family in October and – like the rest of the litter – was soon found a home. But, after weeks of confusion arising from Snowy not responding to her owners in the way a normal dog would, it was discovered she was deaf.

Shortly before Christmasshe was taken to the trust's re-homing centre at Newton Tony, near Salisbury, and has since been working enthusiastically with the centre's training adviser Annie Salmon.

Mrs Carley said: "Snowy has been so receptive. She can't hear so she has been learning to take her cues visually rather than aurally. For example, she has learnt to sit down at the command of a simple raised arm.

"That's pretty universal. They look up and their bums go down."

The thumbs-up means that she is being told she has done well and is a good girl. And she has learnt the command of "stop" from the raising of an open hand.

"She's really learning sign language well. Signs always form part of a dog's training anyway."

Mrs Carley said it was unusual but not totally rare to come across a deaf dog.

She said Snowy, however, seemed to be especially intelligent. "She is a very bright little dog. She's very lively and keen to learn. There's no stopping her.

"The sort of owner we are looking for is someone who can work with our training and behaviour adviser to help build upon the basics Snowy has already learnt to ensure that she is a happy and well behaved dog."

The centre's re-homing manager Alison Rodger said: "When Snowy was first brought in the staff were immediately smitten with her and are really enjoying teaching the smallest dog at the centre all her new tricks.

"Snowy is a brilliant little student and with this positive training using sign language has a lot of potential.

"Snowy gets on with other dogs and could live with a family with older children – she'll make a brilliant pet."

Anyone who feels they can give Snowy a home for life can contact the centre on 01980 629634.