When Star met Coco

It's Star time again! Hurray!

Let's kick this Puppy Pen off with a brilliant video showing what a good girl she is.

That video is a perfect example of everything we would want in Star's training. As you can see, she's really focused and attentive, quite apart from being great at her cues. And why is this? Treats, of course! Volunteer Puppy Trainer Grace is doing a fantastic job of giving Star lots of positive feedback - lots of 'Good girl' encouragement - and pops her a little treat every time she gets it right.

So, Star has learned, right from the get-go, that if she does her 'sit' and 'wait' properly, she's doing the 'right' thing and will get a reward. It's actually called reward-based training for this reason, and it's a very positive way to train a puppy, for Star and Grace alike. It also means that this is how Star will behave from now on: a good girl, happy to oblige, and a pleasure to be around.

And what do bright, clever Stars get? Star awards, of course!

These are 'milestones' that we use to track a puppy's progress, and the One Star is proof that she's learned her basic cues well, and can play nicely with other people and puppies. Star by name, star by nature!

What's this...?

Ooh, a rosette too! Don't mind if I do, thank you!

There now. Do you think it suits me?

Smells good too.

Really good!

Don't worry, Star didn't eat the rosette. She was too full of treats!

The title of this Puppy Pen mentioned Coco, so here she is, with Star.

Grace explains: "Coco is a hearing dog in training who we got as a puppy. Now she is the big sister! She has been fantastic with Star."

They had tons of fun in the puppy playground.

They nosed around together in the ball pond...

... had a bit of a splish-splosh in the pool...

... writhed around in the sand pit (hang on, that's not Coco! We have an imposter in our midst...! Oh well, share and share alike...)

... and after that we had a thoroughly happy but slightly wet and sandy Star.

Again though, this shows what a good girl she is. She's happy just to settle in a cafe, not be any bother to anyone. She has such a lovely, gentle nature.

Star also has a 'gang' of friends. Coco is right behind Star and honestly, we don't know who the other two furry friends are, but it doesn't matter because they all look so happy together! All different shapes, sizes and colours, but one thing unites them: they are very happy, healthy dogs, well looked after and loving life.

Wth Grace's help, Coco did really well with her training, and passed all her exams. Today she very proudly wears her Hearing Dogs burgundy coat.

This is so inspirational for Star. One day she too will look very proud and smart in her burgundy coat, and will help a deaf person to leave loneliness behind. This will be through Grace's care, time and hard work - and, of course, your support.

We are so very grateful for your kindness. We hope you enjoyed this latest peek into Star's life. Until next time, thank you for sponsoring Star!