Winnie training and entertaining

Winnie continues to grow in stature and in character with the help of her fab volunteer family!

She may be a bit bigger, but she's still a puppy at heart. Here she is having a bit of a run-around with a family friend - all while adhering to government guidelines on social distancing, and taken outside of lockdown restrictions.

Why run around the goal netting when you can simply run through it?

We've already shown you how fabulous Winnie is at recall - that is, coming back when whistled or called. Well, she's still great at it, and she can even make her ears flap in unison now. Not that it's essential, but she does score points for artistic impression.

She's such a recall superstar. Her eventual deaf partner will feel so confident out and about with her, because they'll know that, whatever she's doing, wherever they are, she'll come running. That's what hearing dogs are about: helping deaf people learn to love life again, by helping them practically in so many ways, while also being a faithful friend.

She's not just a recall superstar however. Her heelwork is exemplary too. Below, you can see how Liza, her Volunteer Puppy Trainer, is 'encouraging' her...

That's right - it's all about the treats! The way to a Labrador's heart is through her stomach. Our puppies are brought up to make choices for themselves. If they make the 'right' choice - walking nicely on the lead, coming back when called - they get a bit of a fuss and a treat. 'Wrong' decisions are just ignored. So they learn that life is almost a bit of a game, one in which they can 'win' and get tasty tid-bits! It's not such a bad way to grow up, now is it?

Of course, Winnie also needs to learn about domestic life too. That also has its fair share of challenges. How about... the hoover?

Does Winnie look like she loves the hoover? Not especially. Is she scared of it? Not at all. She's unsure of it, but she isn't cowering, or hiding, or crying. This is because she's been brought up to be confident, and to understand that new experiences are not something to be afraid of. So, she stands her ground, and from now on, the more Liza hoovers, the less it will bother Winnie. Another training box ticked!

She's doing so very well. We all adore her. As she's growing, she's starting to get that magnificent, proud Labrador look, and this is especially the case with our Winnie because of that adorable ridge along her nose.

She certainly knows how to relax after so much activity.

And she can also be a bit, well, daft from time to time, and that's also why we adore her!

One day she'll entertain a deaf person with antics like this, while looking and listening out for them. She's such a good girl, and this thanks to your kindness in supporting her. So, once again, from all of us, thank you for sponsoring Winnie!