Juno shows off some skills

We might have some exciting news: we may have found a suitable deaf partner for Juno!

It's very early days right now, and we want to be absolutely sure everything is going well for everyone - and every dog - involved. So, we'll tell you all about it when the dust has settled. Meanwhile, we thought you might like to see some of the skills Juno picked up along her journey. These are all skills that she's judged against to pass her final exams, after which she becomes a fully qualified hearing dog.

Let's watch a video first. This shows how beautifully Juno walks on the lead.

We call this 'heelwork' and it's especially important for well-behaved assistance dogs. Their recipients need to know that they can walk down streets without the dog being distracted or over-excited. This can often involve busy roads, with crowded pavements. If the dog isn't happy doing this, it will show. Fortunately, Juno is over the moon about, well, anything and everything really!

Notice how she's so careful to walk alongside Tunja, her Volunteer Dog Trainer. The lead is also just right, not too tight or too loose. Well done Juno.

Here's another aspect of her training: getting used to the sights, sounds (and smells!) of public transport...

Tunja and her daughter Tamsin have done such a great job with Juno. She's just watching the bus with interest. No fuss, no bother.

Next up: settling. This is also crucial. Our hearing dogs have special, legally-protected access to public places that other dogs do not, such as supermarkets and libraries. So, they need to be extra well-behaved in these places. There's nothing worse than having dog jumping everywhere in a cafe. It would be unfair on other people, and terribly upsetting for the deaf recipient.

Fortunately, Juno is also brilliant at this!

As you know, Juno has also been learning to recognise important sounds. For most of them, she alerts by giving a gentle, insistent nudge with her nose, which is her way of saying 'I can hear something you should know about', such as the doorbell or text alert. Then, she'll happily lead her deaf partner to the source of the sound.

However, there's one alert that is totally different: the danger alert. If she hears a danger sound, such as the fire or smoke alarm, Juno has been taught to lie down. This means 'There is an alarm going, but I'm not going to lead you into danger."

Juno is just brilliant at this too. Here's the proof!

And then all this training culminates in Juno garnering awards! As well as the Puppy Star awards, she also recently won a Kennel Club Citizens award, which complements our training with wider aspects of good behaviour such as controlled walking off-lead and focusing even when the partner isn't nearby.

Doesn't she look proud, sticking out her chest with the rosette?

You see, a big part of why Juno's done so well is that she has fun while training. Remember how she loved playing with tennis balls?

Even this sort of playtime is important, because it helps establish a bond between Juno and her partner. We want our dogs and their partners to be happy and alert, but relaxed. We definitely think Juno is happy and alert...

... and relaxed!

So, that's all for now. Keep your fingers crossed that everything works out with her match. As soon as we can tell you about it, we will. Until then, thank you for sponsoring Juno!