When Sandie met Oshi

Time for more Sandie!

For her first few weeks with Volunteer Puppy Trainers Alec and Catherine, they were also looking after Oshi, an older hearing dog in training who has since been partnered with a deaf person.

They loved each other!

Alec tells us: "Sandie would follow Oshi everywhere and became great buddies."

Catherine agrees: "If Oshi would let her she would snuggle up to him all day!"

Catherine continues: "Sandie learnt from Oshi the Master of Socks. If any were left lying around the chase was on!"

Back to Alec: "She now sees Hearing Dog Cookie, who was also a sponsor puppy, a couple of times a week for short walks."

Here they all are - Sandie, Cookie and Oshi. Friends together! Or, at least, friends looking to get treats together.

Sandie has also been doing really well with her training. This is partly because she copied Oshi so much! 

She's been learning how to walk nicely on her lead, which we call 'heelwork'. Here she is giving a great demonstration.

Heelwork is important because it means her eventual deaf partner will be able to walk anywhere with her, from busy high streets to crowded train platforms. Right now however, it's a nice little walk along a quiet pavement, with plenty of treats along the way.

She's also been learning to come back when called, by name or using a whistle, called 'recall'. As you can see, this is something she's really good at! Maybe that's because Oshi's in the background, encouraging her?

Recall is also vital. It means that, whenever her eventual deaf partner wants her back, she'll respond, immediately. They'll never need to worry about being left on their own, because Sandie will come running.

But it's not all about training. Let's go back to the cute stuff!

How about... tickle-tums...?

If that's not cute enough, how about a Sandie-in-a-box?

Still not sure? How about Sandie subtly telling Alec and Catherine it's dinner time?

Surely you think that's cute!

We think Sandie is cute, and clever. She's doing really well, thanks to your support. So again, from all of us, thank you for sponsoring Sandie.