Luca in videos

Luca is a four-star superstar!

That's right - he's passed his Puppy Four Star! This means he's now a hearing dog!

However, his journey hasn't ended yet. All he needs now is a deaf person to help - and we think we might have great news on that score, but it's early days yet. When we know more, we'll tell you when we next send you an update. Exciting times!

So, how did he achieve this?

Well, in your previous Pupdate we showed you some of his training. Below, you can see more. Let's start with a recall.

Did you see that? Immediate response. And back he comes, with his ears all up and down, just like a proper Cocker Spaniel.

The recall is really important. The last thing a deaf person needs is for their furry friend to disappear into the woods or find something more interesting to sniff in the fields. So, as well as staying nearby, Luca has been taught that coming back - that is, recall - is a good thing to do. He can do this with voice calls, or a whistle. And when he does it, he gets a fuss and a treat! Lucky Luca!

With the recall in the bag, Luca also had to learn possibly the most important alert of all: the danger alert.

Before we continue, here's a perfect example:

A lot of deaf people tell us that not being able to hear a smoke alarm or fire siren is one of their greatest fears. Sometimes it's particularly difficult for them at night, because darkness and deafness conspire to make them feel particularly vulnerable. Other times it can be in public spaces: we have plenty of stories where deaf people have been left alone in a workspace or supermarket, without realising the alarms are sounding until a hand on their shoulder urges them to leave the building.

So the danger alert can save deaf people's lives, and has on several occasions that we know of.

As you can see, Luca has been taught to give an insistent nudge with his nose, and then, when asked 'What is it?', he lies down. This tells his deaf partner 'There's danger nearby but I'm not going to lead you to it.' It's really clever, and amazing to watch when it's done perfectly. Here's another great example:

The amazing thing about that one is that Luca was already very nicely settled (another part of his training - settling in a café or restaurant and keeping himself to himself). So, he got up to nose nudge, then lay down again to give the alert! Incredible.

Although the danger alert is a serious matter, we did actually have a very funny moment at our training centre once. We had lots of dogs and their volunteers visiting, and the smoke alarm accidentally sounded. All the dogs immediately hit the deck, as one! 

As well as soundwork, Luca has, with the help of his trainers and volunteers, continued to find out about the world. Here he is finding out about goats.

He seems to quite like them? Not a problem for Luca.

His volunteers have also helped keep him entertained during lockdowns and social distancing. Even the most well-behaved puppies can get a bit frustrated if they not stimulated (don't we all?), so here's a great way of making mealtimes a bit more fun.

Talking of fun - here's Luca in what is decidedly down time, having great fun with his pal Rosie the Rotteiler.

So there you have Luca. Training, entertaining, it's all good. He's lovely and adorable, and brilliant with it. It really couldn't be any more positive.

He's come this far thanks to your support, your kindness. So, once again, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thank you for sponsoring Luca.