Let's catch up with Alfie!

Welcome back to The Puppy Pen! It's time to find out how Alfie, your handsome sponsor puppy, is getting on.

Alfie would like to start this episode by showing everyone his favourite new ball...

In other very exciting news, Alfie has started attending puppy classes!

Puppy classes are run by our wonderful and highly skilled hearing dog trainers, who are always thinking of fun and interesting ways for our puppies to learn the skills they'll need to become a well-rounded hearing dog.

At one recent puppy class, Alfie's trainer, Emma, put on quite a musical performance for her puppy pupils...

It looks like Alfie is a fan of the trumpet!

Socialising Alfie to unusual sounds is part of his training to feel relaxed with different noises he may hear while 'out and about' with his future deaf partner. After hearing the trumpet, Alfie is rewarded with lots of treats, praise and cuddles. Through this style of reward-based training, Alfie is learning to associate this as a positive experience.

There is also plenty of time for play at puppy class. Here is Alfie exploring the tunnel...

Peekaboo!

Believe it or not, playtime is all part of Alfie's training too! As well as being a fantastic source of mental enrichment, playtime also encourages Alfie to socialise and interact nicely with other puppies.

Back home now and it is time for a snooze. But Alfie just can't decide which position is the most comfy...

Bottom out

Head out

Nope, still not quite right!

Maybe Alfie just needs to switch blankets and be joined by his snuggling buddies...

Alfie snoozing with Shadow (black Labrador) and Winston (his cuddly toy)

That's better. In the words of Goldilocks, "this bed is just right!"

Sweet dreams, Alfie. See you again soon!

Until next time, from everyone at Hearing Dogs, thank you so much for sponsoring Alfie.