Teddy loves Peter

So, how do you help a little puppy try on a collar for the first time...?

The answer: very gently, and slowly, and with a lot of care and attention, just like Volunteer Puppy Trainer Peter does!

As you can see, it all starts with Teddy executing a perfect 'sit' (that's when Peter lifts his finger and Teddy duly obliges).

Then, Teddy is more amused and interested than anything. He's so relaxed, and the whole thing passes with no problems whatsoever. That's because he's already growing in confidence, and learning that new experiences can be fun - vital for a hearing dog puppy who, when he's paired with a deaf partner, could have new experiences every day.

Oh, and Peter's video production values are top notch too!

Teddy is being very well looked after by Peter (and wife Hazel, who was on photo duty at the time). They've been training him to be a patient boy, which we call 'impulse control'. 

If he's a good boy and resists the treat...

... and continues to resist the treat...

... then he'll get the treat and a lot of fuss and perhaps a cuddle - oh, wait, he wants a cuddle off Hazel it would seem!

Impulse control is important. Teddy is learning not just to obey his immediate instincts: he knows that all good things come to patient puppies. Again, it's part of a foundation that we're building upon, because from now on, Teddy can walk around supermarkets and not get over-excited at the meat counter, or stop to sniff interesting smells while on public transport. He's happy being a well-behaved puppy.

More training below (don't worry, we're getting to the fun bits).

This is Teddy learning to 'settle' - that is, keep himself to himself in a cafe or restaurant. Peter just sits down and gazes into the distance, waits for Teddy to do that thing he's been taught... and he just does it. Sits down, zones out. No problem, no fuss. Just a bit wet from a play in a puddle. That's our Teddy!

Of course, it doesn't always quite go to plan where puppies are concerned.

And sometimes you just have to accept that they're still very young and full of life.

Then, having been full of energy, they completely zonk out.

But really, how could you resist?

We mean, really...?

Well, Peter doesn't! He adores Teddy, who adores him right back.

We hope you adore Teddy too, because he's a really lovely boy, full of affection and inquisitiveness. A bit cheeky, but in a very good way. This is all made possible through your kindness, of course. So, again, from all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thank you for sponsoring Teddy!