Scout is so well-behaved

Scout is brilliant. Just watch this...

There's so much to admire in that video (which, please note, was taken before the latest lockdown restrictions).

At around 1:08 Scout stops to have a sniff of something, and the volunteer allows her to. This is actually deliberate – we allow our dogs to stop and sniff things when they’re out and about, because that's their way of exploring and learning about the world. It's really important in making sure we have well-adjusted dogs who feel comfortable in different situations. And Scout is clearly a well-adjusted dog who feels extremely comfortable in this situation!

This is even more impressive given that she's walking along the pavement in a high street. You can hear voices, and cars, and probably all sorts happening off-camera, but Scout is just happy to walk along nicely, with the lead not too tight or too loose. When her trainer stops, she stops. When her trainer walks, she walks. And so they continue down the high street together, with Scout giving quick little checks every now and then to make sure the person with her is OK.

It's brilliant heelwork, and Scout should be very proud! We all are.

Also notice how prominent her burgundy 'I'm learning to be a hearing dog' coat is. This will tell people that her eventual deaf partner has a hearing loss. It's a powerful signal, and can have an astonishing effect, transforming attitudes and making people very attentive and going out of their way to help.

Here's more of fabulous Scout visiting the florists, again taken before the latest lockdown...

This is a very different situation, but again, it's no problem whatsoever for Scout - and she is no problem whatsoever for anyone in the shop! She's happy to have a little sniff-around, and her trainer is happy to let her. She's happy to stop and start again whenever her trainer does. We're happy that they're happy. One day, she'll make her deaf partner happy too. It's a happy situation all round!

It's not all work, work, work though. Scout does enjoy a bit of downtime with a toy or three.

Scount also gets to 'chillax' with her best pal, Parker. You've already met Parker in your previous Pupdates. He's also a hearing dog in training, and he loves running around with Scout.

And finally, Scout also managed to stay still sometimes! Especially when it's a great photo-opportunity in front of some flowers.

She knows she's a pretty little dog, don't you think? And she'll be such a superstar hearing dog one day, helping her eventual deaf partner to leave loneliness behind and embrace the life they deserve.

When this happens, it will be through your kindness, your generosity. So, once again, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People... thank you for sponsoring Scout!