Buddy is a settling superstar

Buddy's been practising his settling skils - and he's a settling supremo, it would seem.

'Settling' is the name we give to a dog's ability just to relax in a public place, such as a restaurant, library or shop, and be no bother to anyone. All our hearing dogs are trained to do this, so that their deaf partners can go anywhere with them, confident in the knowledge that they'll be very proud of their furry friends. Indeed, we're often told how fellow passengers on a train, or shoppers in a queue, compliment their dogs because they're so well behaved.

Buddy's been busily perfecting his settle - as well as busily growing up!

He started in the garden.

Look at how attentive he is. That's very probably because he's waiting for a treat. It's how we train our dogs, using 'reward based' training. The 'right' thing is rewarded with a fuss and a treat. The 'wrong' thing is just ignored. So, Buddy has learned that, if he settles nicely, he'll get a reward. He's very clever, so he often gets it right, so that means lots of treats for Buddy! Yaaaay!

Also, notice what we said about him growing! All puppies put on a spurt at some time, Labradors especially. He's going to be a magnificent, glossy black Lab some day. But still cute, in our eyes.

Once he'd got the hang of that, there was no stopping him.

He could settle in the garden centre, both indoors...

... and outdoors on the tiles.

He could settle in a shop...

... and on a wooden floor, especially when he was wearing his 'I'm learning to be a hearing dog' burgundy coat.

"Am I doing it right?" 

"Yes Buddy, you're doing it perfectly!"

Buddy looks great in his coat, don't you think? A hearing dog's coat is important too: it's how Buddy will signal to people that his partner is deaf. This 'invisible disability' can cause difficult situations for people, because most people assume someone can hear. So, we've had incidents where deaf people have had shopping trolleys shoved into them, because they couldn't hear the person behind them asking to pass through.

With Buddy by their side, resplendent in his burgundy coat, they'll understand. This can completely turn things around. Instead of being angry, people become very accommodating and helpful. It's just another way Buddy will change his future deaf partner's life, every day, in so many ways.

Anyway, that's enough of settling, how about a bit of fun with a toy?

And after burning off all that energy, how about a bit of a snooze?

We all adore Buddy, and we hope you do too. He's growing up to be a wonderful hearing dog, and this is through your kindness.

He's even getting quite a boopable nose!

Thank you for sponsoring Buddy!