Feather is a settling superstar

'Settling' is the name we give to a dog's ability just to be patient and not bother anyone. It turns out, Feather is a settling superstar!

This is a really important skill for a hearing dog to learn. We want our deaf partners to feel confident everywhere they go, safe in the knowledge that their furry friend will make them proud, and not be a bother to anyone. 

We also, of course, want to make sure our dogs are happy in these situations - and content just to settle. 

This sounds easy, but it takes a lot of patience and dedication from our volunteers. There are so many different places where a good settle is vital. They all have different sights, sounds and smells which can be so distracting for any puppy.

So, let's take a look at some of Feather's settles!

The supermarket is a perfect example. Meat counters, banging trolleys, people chatting, the list of distractions is very long. So, it's wonderful to see how well Feather can just plonk herself down at the checkout.

We think it's probably safe to say she's under 25.

Next up, the physiotherapists.

Physiotherapy, which can involve quite long sessions, are the last place you'd want a dog bothering or pestering anyone. Instead, you want a good, patient girl who will just zone out, knowing that she's doing the 'right' thing because she'll get a fuss and maybe even a treat afterwards. In other words: you want Feather!

How about the opticians?

Again, a perfect settle. Now, Feather's eventual deaf partner will know that she's fine in waiting rooms, which could also be anywhere else such as the doctor, dentist, hospital... so many other places that clever Feather can now transfer this skill.

We don't think any of the glasses would really suit her though. None of them complement her face shape.

As well as waiting rooms, there is another 'set' of settles that Feather needs to learn: in a café, coffee shop, or restaurant.

While these places will have less hubbub around, they will still have very tempting smells for a little puppy. And, as with the physiotherapist, it's essential that she knows not to bother people, but let them just get on with things.

So, here you have Feather just curling up and going to sleep! And at the M&S café too! There's posh.

Her settling skills don't end there. She can settle herself down very nicely indeed at the hairdressers. Feather cut, anyone?

Feather's volunteers have done such a great job of introducing her to all these places. That's a huge part of Feather's training: learning to perfect these skills in as many different environments as possible. It's how she not only learns these skills, but also learns to transfer them to new, unfamiliar places. As she grows in stature, so she grows in confidence. It's amazing to see.

Talking of unfamiliar places...

No, we don't know either, but it doesn't seem to bother Feather!

Finally, rest assured Feather has plenty of 'down time' too. Even though she thinks her training is all a game, one in which she always 'wins' and gets a treat for doing so, she does just revel in life. Here she is having plenty of fun in the grass, just as a puppy should do.

See what we mean? How great is that video?

That's all for now. Feather is doing so very well as you can see, and this is because of your kindness. So, once more, thank you so much for sponsoring Feather!