Bertie is all mouth (and manners)

Welcome to your next Bertie Pupdate!

First up, fun times with carrots!

Who'd have thought carrots could be so entertaining?

Actually, it's a brilliant idea from Bertie's Volunteer Puppy Trainer Natalie. It helps him expend some energy, and makes meal times more fun for, well, everyone involved, especially Bertie.

So, is he happy? What do you think, judging from this photo supplied by trainer Jay?

We think so!

Bertie loves the carrots because he seems to really like having things in his mouth. It's something we've noticed as Natalie's shared more photos with us.

We've told you he likes shoes before. Well, that's still the case, even if they're quite expensive shoes.

We're not sure whether he's putting the shoe down or picking it up...

So that's carrots, shoes, and... light sabres?

O-Bertie-Wan-Kenobi?

Anyway, back to reality. As we've also said before, Bertie is great at training as well as entertaining. Here he is showing us how it's done at a supermarket.

See how well he walks? The lead is just right, not too loose or tight. Exactly how nice 'heelwork' should be, especially in a shop.

Yes, thank you for that Bertie, you couldn't resist a bit of entertainment by sticking your tongue out, could you?

After the busy shops, it's time to settle at a cafe.

It's exactly what we want Bertie to do - just sit down, be no bother to anyone, maybe take a bit of time to get to know his fellow hearing dog in training. "And what do you do...?"

More shops now. There are plenty of distractions around but Bertie, looking very handsome in his burgundy 'I'm learning to be a hearing dog' coat, is totally focused on Natalie. Brilliant.

Even back at home, Bertie is still learning about the world. For example, he's become acquainted with Natalie's cat, called Mister. So, from now on, if he is partnered with a deaf person who has a cat, it won't be a problem at all.

"Bertie LOVES our cat Mister," Natalie tells us. "He can stay calm around him most of the time! Sometimes he forgets that Mister isn’t a dog and wants to play with him but Mister will gently remind him of this."

They both seem quite content in each other's company...

And if there's one thing cuter than Bertie with Mister, it's Bertie when he's feeling sleepy... Bertieeee... Beeeeeertttiiieeeeeee....

Awwwww! It's OK to say 'Awwwwww'. Go on! We don't mind!

Finally, Bertie has also made time to pay celebrity visits to cake stalls raising funds for Hearing Dogs.

Look at how magnificent his ears have become!

Did we say finally?

Not quite. Again, do you think Bertie is happy?

Yes!

He's happy because he's being so well trained and looked after by Natalie and everyone around him. He's also happy because he knows you're supporting him throughout his training journey.

That's all for now. As always, thank you so much for sponsoring Bertie!