This month in training: April 2023
Posted by Matt Sadler
Alfie has been shopping at a supermarket, Nessa has visited a busy city, clever Rose has been mastering her soundwork, and much more. Go behind the scenes and find out what our clever pups have been learning.
1. Where's Waldo?
Cocker Spaniel puppy Waldo has been on his first visit to a garden centre. Garden centres are the perfect place for our dogs to visit in their early training, as they are relaxed environments with lots of interesting new sights, smells and sounds.
Waldo had a lovely walk around before showing off a very impressive settle in the café. Waldo did such a great job that even got to choose a new toy to take home.
2. MJ's super settle
Hearing dog in training MJ has been practising her super settle in a café.
As a hearing dog accompanies their deaf partner to lots of public places every day, it is important our pups are happy and relaxed in these environments.
Great job MJ.
3. Alfie does the weekly food shop
Cocker Spaniel Alfie has been to a supermarket as part of his training.
Alfie has been learning to ignore all the interesting and tasty items on the shelves, as well as getting used to trolleys and being around large numbers of people.
4. Georgia is the perfect passenger
Georgia was all smiles as she waited for her bus journey.
If a deaf person uses public transport then we want their hearing dog to be comfortable and relaxed with the experience, and Georgia was the perfect passenger
5. Nessa is off on an adventure
Nessa has also been using public transport as she went on a train journey into London to practise in a busier environment.
We slowly introduce our dogs to busier locations, from villages to towns and then to cities, ensuring they are happy throughout.
Great job, Nessa.
6. Bravo, Billy!
Cockapoo Billy has grown into an amazing boy and we are so proud to let you know that he has passed his final assessment to be a life-changing hearing dog.
Billy has been a joy to train and we know he is going to make the world of difference to his deaf partner.
Congratulations to the very clever Billy, and thank you so much to his wonderful team, who have made all this possible.
7. Clever Rose is mastering her soundwork
Cocker Spaniel Rose is in the final stage of training and she is learning all the sounds she will alert her future deaf partner to.
You will see Rose alert to a doorbell, timer, smoke alarm and fire siren, and you will also see how she will wake her partner to an alarm clock.
Hearing dogs alert to most sounds by nudging their partner with their nose before leading them to the noise.
However, if they hear a danger sound like a smoke alarm or fire siren, they will lie down rather than lead their partner into a potentially dangerous situation.
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