This month in training: May 2023
Posted by Matt Sadler
MJ has been learning all about public transport, Presley and Flossy did brilliantly on their trips to supermarkets and Ebony is excelling in her soundwork. Find out what our clever pups have been learning in their training.
1. MJ is the perfect passenger
The very clever MJ has reached two big milestones in her hearing dog training, as she has been on her first train and bus journeys.
MJ did brilliantly on both trips and wasn't fazed at all by all those unusual sounds and movements. She will now build on these experiences with longer journeys, and we know she is going to take these in her stride.
If MJ's future deaf partner uses public transport, then we want to make sure she is comfortable and relaxed with the experience.
2. Presley showed his amazing focus
A spot of shopping was on the agenda for cocker spaniel Presley, and he did brilliantly on his visit to a supermarket.
Presley ignored all those tasty items on the shelves, experienced being around trolleys and large numbers of people, and then waited very patiently at the self-checkout.
3. Flossy and her happy tail
Fabulous Flossy has also been to a supermarket, and just look at that happy tail.
Our clever cockapoo is in the third stage of her hearing dog training, which means she is focusing on practising in public places and on public transport.
Great job, Flossy!
4. Kipling's exceedingly good settle
Hearing dog in training Kipling showed off his exceedingly good settle during his visit to a café.
Kipling's settle was made even more impressive as a pigeon flew in, but our clever Labrador wasn't fussed at all.
Well done, Kipling.
5. Farrell is a very playful puppy
An important part of early hearing dog training is encouraging our puppies to investigate lots of new objects...
Cockapoo Farrell is already a big fan of running through (and chewing) his play tunnel.
Farrell will also be learning his basic cues like 'sit' and 'wait', and of course, having as much fun as possible!
6. Ebony's excellent soundwork
Cocker spaniel Ebony has been learning all about the sounds she will alert her deaf partner to.
You will see Ebony alerting to a doorbell and timer, which is where she leads her volunteer trainer to where the sound is coming from.
You will also watch Ebony performing the danger signal to a smoke alarm and fire siren, and also to the smoke alarm when her volunteer trainer is in bed.
Ebony's alert is different to a danger sound as she immediately lies down. This is because we wouldn't want her to lead her future deaf partner towards a potentially hazardous situation.
7. Verity is going to be a life-changing hearing dog!
Perfect news to end this month's blog, as the wonderful Verity has passed her hearing dog assessment.
You'll see Verity grow into such a clever and beautiful girl, and even watch some of her soundwork, as she alerts to a doorbell and performs the danger signal to a smoke alarm.
Congratulations to Verity and thank you so much to her incredible team.
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.
Share this post with your friends
Psst! Don’t miss all the latest Hearing Dogs news…
Would you like to know more about us, our dogs and our amazing community? We have a free monthly e-newsletter that we send out to 30,000 of our fantastic friends. It would be great if you joined, too.
You’ll get:
- Updates on how we train our dogs and how they change deaf people’s lives.
- A monthly dose of our adorable puppies!
- Behind-the-scenes stories and photos.
- News of upcoming events and ways you can help us create more hearing dogs.
About the author
