It's all good for Elton

Let's start this Pupdate with possibly the best video we've ever seen of impulse control...

So, what was that all about?

Our puppies need to learn that their very first impulse isn't necessarily the best. They might see a doggy friend across the road and dash off to say hello - not realising a car is heading their way. They might follow some interesting smells in the forest - and leave their deaf partner stranded.

So, David and Sally, Elton's Volunteer Puppy Trainers, have taught him that, if he's a good Elton, and bides his time, patiently waiting until his cue, he'll get lots of treats and a fuss. The way to a puppy's mind is through its stomach! Especially when said puppy is a Labrador.

This called reward-based training, and it is such a brilliant way to train puppies. It's not about asking them to resist treats: it's about rewarding them for doing the right thing, so that they grow to be quiet, calm, confident, well-behaved companions for their deaf partners. This is why Elton will always have presence of mind, as long as there are treats, fusses, tummy-rubs and 'Good boy' comments!

And David's video is just brilliant. You can see Elton's thoughts as they happen! "Ok, I'll sit. What's going on then? What's this on my paw? And the other paw. Now there's two! Yum! Three! OK, I get it. Can I have them now? Plllllllease...? Om-nom-nom..."

Here's another great shot - Elton showing how well he can settle in a shop.

That was taken at The Grange restaurant, based at our Southern Training Centre. People can have a tasty meal and browse plenty of quality (and often doggy-themed) gifts in the shop. Meanwhile, as you can see, their doggy friends can just relax. Elton is doing exactly the right thing: just plonking himself down while Sally has a wander around. No bother, no fuss. That's our Elton!

Of course, it's not all work, work, work. Elton has plenty of time for fun, fun fun! Such as playing with a cardboard box.

Or a football...

(It didn't last very long...)

There's also plenty of sleepy-time with his monkey toy...

And making friends with Polly (David and Sally's own dog) after a slight disagreement over who owns the Kong.

(That photo reminds us a bit of the Creation of Adam by Michelangelo!)

So, impulse control, cardboard boxes, footballs (burst or otherwise), monkey toys and Kongs... it's all good for Elton. He's doing so well with his training, and having a fab time with his volunteer family. It really couldn't be any more positive. We're so pleased and proud, and you should be too! Your kindness helped Elton get this far. So, once more, from all of us, to you, thank you for sponsoring Elton!