Star is a cool customer

Star is still loving life with Volunteer Puppy Trainer Grace!

She has plenty of toys to play with...

... or snooze among...

... and she also still likes to snooze with Coco, although that bed does seem to be getting smaller, as Star gets bigger!

With Grace's help, Star has also been showing what a cool, calm, collected customer she can be.

We want all our amazing hearing dogs to be well behaved, and happy with it. It's so important: if they're to accompany their deaf partners wherever they want to go, it means they'll also find themselves in lots of different places. This could bother some dogs if they hadn't experienced them before, or not been taught that new experiences can be fun. But hearing dogs enjoy it, especially Star!

This is because Grace has introduced her, very gently, at her own pace, to new places and faces, all the time giving her treats and telling her what a good girl she is. So, Star is confident and happy - a great foundation for life, for any dog, animal, or even human!

We thought you'd like an insight into how this works, so here's a class in which we tested Star with various unusual situations.

First, who's for a spot of footie?

Or perhaps game of tennis?

Star is being taught that, if she resists the impulse to chase the tennis ball or join in the football game, she's being a very well-behaved puppy. From now on, in the park, near the playing fields, or even in the street, she'll know that she shouldn't just rush off and find out what's going on. In other words, her future deaf partner will know that they'll be the focus of her attention.

So, she just takes it easy and watches it all happen!

Talking of focus...

That is Star showing off amazing heelwork. This is what we call a dog's ability to walk alongside someone. Notice how the lead isn't too tight or loose, and all the while Star is looking at Grace. What a faithful furry friend she's going to be!

Now, some more things she might come across in 'real life' as an assistance dog.

Electric scooters can be a bit scary. They're big for a little dog, and can make a strange noise.

Star is just inquisitive! Not scared at all. Grace is there all the time, helping her confidence, and everyone seems to be having fun.

Wheelchairs are up next. Again, for a dog, these could be intimidating, all wheels and spokes and shiny bits. Star's tail tells it all though - a healthy, happy wag.

Finally, walking frames? No problem!

She just takes it all in her stride.

Again, this is such a vital part of her training. Heelwork is all very well and good when walking alongside someone. But imagine if Star is paired with someone who actually does use a scooter, wheelchair or frame? They all need very different techniques, and Star will learn them all. First things first though: she's made their acquaintance, and it all went very well indeed. She is a star by name after all, and star by nature!

Aren't you Star?

She has such an affectionate nature, and is doing really well because she's so smart. This is also because you've helped her get this far along her training journey, for which we are all so very grateful.

So, until your next update, as always, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People... thank you for sponsoring Star!