Bertie: Uptime, downtime

It's Bertie time again!

We always try to show a mix of how he's doing in training, as well as a bit of 'downtime'. The great thing is, Bertie's good at both!

Here he is showing off some of his training: how to be groomed.

Why is this training? Because, when Bertie's matched with a deaf partner, he needs to be very well-behaved in all sorts of situations. This includes regular health checks and grooming. Notice how gentle his Volunteer Puppy Trainer Natalie is with him, and makes sure he gets a reward for being a good boy. Our volunteers do an amazing job.

More training now - public transport!

Natalie is helping Bertie to become accustomed to everything he will experience when he becomes a hearing dog, including the sights, sounds (and , for a dog, interesting smells!) of busy places like stations and moving trains.

He's naturally curious, so to begin with he wanted to take everything in, but after a while, well, been there, done that...!

Did Bertie enjoy that, do you think?

That's exactly what we want Bertie to do - just settle, and be happy in his own little world. We actually call it 'settling', and it's a skill that will stand Bertie in good stead in other places too, such as restaurants, libraries, shop queues and so on.

So we've had Bertie standing, and lying down. How about running, very fast?

Again, this is important training. Bertie knows that, if he comes back when called, he's doing 'the right thing' because he gets a treat. So, from now on, his deaf partner knows that, even out in woodland, which puppies find so fascinating, Bertie will always be close by, and will come running. Just call his name!

And here is said treat, in magnificent slow motion...

But we did say there's downtime for Bertie. That mostly involves cuddles...

... and snoozes.

Truth be told, we weren't entirely sure which way up that photo was supposed to be at first! It would appear Bertie likes sleeping upside down.

He deserves it though. He's doing so well, learning all his cues, and generally being a fantastic all-round winner. We love him to bits, and we hope you do too! 

So, until next time, thank you so much for sponsoring Bertie, and see you again in the Puppy Pen soon!