Some 'firsts' for Vesper

Vesper has performed some 'firsts' in her training!

While she's living with her volunteer puppy trainer Debbie, she's being trained not just to cope with public environments, but to positively enjoy them. This is because she'll need to accompany a deaf person wherever they want to go, and we want to ensure puppy and human alike are happy together anywhere and everywhere.

So, we're very pleased to tell you that Vesper has already been on a train journey!

Here she is waiting at the station. The dog in front is... Flash! You've already met him on several Vesper Pupdates. Yes, it's true, Vesper and Flash are the best of pals and go everywhere together.

The train's arrived. Come on Flash!

And now, on the train, Vesper is such a good girl.

She's doing exactly what we would want of her: just to settle down and watch the world go by. Our hearing dogs know that they don't need to bother people for fusses or treats. If they just 'zone out', there will be lots of cuddles and nibbles aftewards.

Vesper has also been visiting local malls. These can be busy, noisy places, but nevertheless her eventual deaf partner will almost certainly need to visit them, or places very like them, at some point. So, again, Debbie has taken Vesper for her first experience of this environment.

It starts with a go in the lift...

Not a problem. And Vesper looks so very smart in her burgundy coat! This tells people that she's an assistance dog in training, and means that legally she's entitled to enter shops. When she eventually wears her full Hearing Dogs coat, that will also tell people that her partner is deaf. This can make a huge difference to how they're treated, and can turn ignorance or even rudeness into support and politeness.

So, off Debbie and Vesper go, to look for a place to visit...

To the left is Heather, the trainer. She helps Debbie with some training, especially significant 'first steps' such as this. She just keeps a watchful eye and makes sure Debbie and Vesper are both happy and relaxed.

Now, Vesper walks around the shop, and again, it's not a problem!

Clever Vesper.

She also shows off more of her skills at just settling down and keeping herself to herself...

Nearly finished! But not quite.

Vesper still has to show she's happy and confident around stairs. So, up we go...

... and back down!

That was easy!

So easy in fact, that Vesper has already achieved her Puppy Two Star. These are awards that help us track how a puppy's doing, and it's a major milestone in her development.

We think she looks very proud! This is because you have supported her this far, so from Vesper and Debbie, Heather, and all of us at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, thank you for sponsoring Vesper.