This month in training: February 2023
Posted by Matt Sadler
Wanda enjoyed her first puppy training class, Wilbur and Noel have been shopping and Cocker Spaniel Lyra has some wonderful news to tell you. It’s time to go behind the scenes and find out what our clever pups have been learning.
1. Say hello to Elvis
This is eight-week-old cocker spaniel puppy Elvis, who we can't help falling in love with.
Elvis is at the very start of his hearing dog training and he has already mastered the perfect sit.
Have lots of fun Elvis.
2. Wonderful Wanda and her waggy tail
Wanda is a few weeks older than Elvis and she showed off her lovely sit and very waggy tail at her first ever puppy class.
Wanda also practised some loose-lead walking and keeping her focus around a number of distractions.
3. One star, two star - Monty is a star
Well done to cockapoo Monty, who has raced through the second stage of his training.
Two areas Monty has been working on are his impulse control and learning how to settle nicely. These are key skills for the next stage of Monty's training, as he will now practise more in public places and on public transport.
4. Wilbur was the paw-fect customer
Wonderful Wilbur has been busy training in shops and he did brilliantly on his visit to a new town.
As hearing dogs accompany their deaf partner to lots of public places, it is incredibly important they are comfortable in these environments, and Wilbur was a superstar.
Wilbur showed lovely focus on his volunteer trainer despite being in a new environment with lots of potential distractions.
Then it was off to a café to practise settling, and we think Wilbur may have spotted a treat.
5. Noel waited very patiently at a supermarket
Noel has also been training in a shop environment and he did brilliantly on his visit to a busy supermarket. Noel kept his focus on his volunteer trainer despite all those interesting items on the shelves, and then waited very patiently.
Well done Noel!
6. Olive showed off her impressive impulse control
Olive's impulse control is far better than ours ever could be, and she did so well resisting her treat!
Impulse control is important for any happy and relaxed dog, and Olive thoroughly enjoyed her tasty rewards for waiting so patiently.
7. Lyra is going to be a life-changing hearing dog!
Wonderful news to bring you as lovely Lyra is going to be a life-changing hearing dog after passing her final assessment!
Our clever cocker spaniel is such a sweetheart who loves her cuddly toys, and she has been an absolute joy to train.
In this video, Lyra alerts to an alarm clock and doorbell, as well as to a smoke alarm.
Our dogs alert to most sounds by leading their partner to the source of it. However, the danger signal sees Lyra lie down, so she doesn't take anyone into a potentially hazardous situation.
Sponsor a puppy and change a deaf person's life
These cute puppies are training to become life-changers. Sponsor them from £5 a month and follow their journey as they learn how to help a deaf person.
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