# Is ape sign language completely dead?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ape-sign-language-completely-dead/1027824>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 19, 2026, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ape-sign-language-completely-dead/1027824 "2026-02-19T18:57:12Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 8

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**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2026, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ape-sign-language-completely-dead/1027824/141 "2026-06-04T20:03:20Z")

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When kiddo was youngish and our kitchen was being remodeled, we got Burger King a lot, Our standard poodle learned those words quickly even though we weren’t speaking them to her. She also quickly picked up on BK which we switched to. She didn’t get “beta kappa” in the short time we used that before the work was finished.

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**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2026, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ape-sign-language-completely-dead/1027824/142 "2026-06-04T22:20:18Z")

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> [@TruCelt](#):
>
> With CeltDog we have to use “arboreal rodents” to keep him from freaking out about squirrels. . .

My dad used to have a cocktail (or 2) every night after work. As part of cocktail hour, his dog would get a treat. He ended up having to call them “c oh c’s” because the dog would start barking at the mention of cocktails.

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**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ape-sign-language-completely-dead/1027824/143 "2026-06-04T22:39:23Z")

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Bayliss plays a joke on beck.

He walks by the corner of my bed and grabs the corner of my duvet. Pulls it to the floor and walks to the buttons and pushes _“treat”._

He either walks out of the room, snickering or has a lie down on the comforter. Long enough to peeve me.

That dog!

He thinks he’s so funny!

🤣

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**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2026, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-ape-sign-language-completely-dead/1027824/144 "2026-08-21T14:32:12Z")

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> [@Beckdawrek](#):
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> I’ve worked with the Chihuahuas. They think any training is punishment.

> [@Lumpy](#):
>
> Heck, I tend to think that way.

> [@Beckdawrek](#):
>
> But, but…I give the goodest ever liver treats!!

Now _THAT_ is punishment. 😉

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