This month in training: December 2022
Posted by Matt Sadler
Siblings Hugh, Hope and Hamlet have been shopping, puppy Summer has made a fab start to her training, Izzy has explored a busy city, and there's wonderful news for River and Otter.
1. Hugh, Hope and Hamlet go shopping
Hugh (left), Hope (top right) and Hamlet have all been on their first visits to shops, and not even a 50p potato could distract Hugh during his trip to a supermarket.
Our clever siblings all showed lovely focus on their volunteer trainers, and they will continue to build on experiences like this over the next few months.
It's incredibly important our dogs are comfortable and relaxed in the many different places they visit with their deaf partner, and Hugh, Hope and Hamlet were absolute stars.
2. Izzy has been to a busy city
Miniature poodle Izzy has been into Newcastle city centre for the first time, and she did brilliantly in a busy environment.
Izzy has experienced many public places during her training and has slowly been introduced to busier locations, from villages to towns and now to cities.
3. Summer is such a clever cookie
Summer has made a great start to her hearing dog training and here she is practising her wait, which is already so impressive for such a young pup.
Learning basic cues like 'wait' and 'sit' is incredibly important for any puppy, and these skills will be vital throughout Summer's training as she grows into a life-changing hearing dog.
4. Orlando, Oslo and Georgia are the perfect passengers
They went on their first train journey together last month, and brothers Oslo and Orlando have been back for another trip...
This time Labrador Georgia came along as well!
It’s important our pups experience travelling on public transport before they become a hearing dog and Oslo, Orlando and Georgia all did brilliantly.
5. Bracken has been learning how to alert to danger sounds
Hearing dogs alert to most sounds by nudging their partner with their nose before leading them to the source.
However, if they hear a danger sound like a smoke alarm, then they will lie down rather than lead their partner towards a potentially hazardous situation.
Here is Bracken learning how to alert to a danger sound.
6. River has passed the first stage of her training
River has been ticking off a lot of new experiences, and she can now add passing the first stage of her training to that list.
River has been working on her basic cues like sit and wait, as well as investigating lots of new objects, including cardboard boxes and even skateboards!
She has also been on her first walk outside, conquered stair mountain and now has her very own 'grown up' bed.
7. Otter is going to be a life-changing hearing dog
Some wonderful news to bring you as cocker spaniel Otter has passed his final assessment to be a life-changing hearing dog!
Otter has been a joy to train and he has had a wonderful team behind him every step of the way. You will see some very cute photos and a video of Otter with his brother Ollie.
Congratulations Otter.
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