This month in training: October 2025

Spooky season is right around the corner and clever Kasper is ready!

The shops can be busy and distracting places featuring lots of unusual items and smells, but in the third stage of his training, Kasper took the strange and ghoulish in his stride.

What a spooktacular job.

The biggest thank you to Arriva, who have helped our pups in training experience being on public transport for the very first time.

Arriva arranged for us to have access to a stationary bus, so our clever dogs could practise getting on and off, before exploring without any potential distractions and then choosing the perfect spot to sit nicely.

The driver then turned on the engine to give our pups the opportunity to get used to the new noises and vibrations. Feeling relaxed on public transport is a key part of hearing dog training, as our clever dogs may use buses and trains when with their future deaf partners.

This was the perfect introduction for our younger dogs, who will go on their first journey later on in their training.

Cocker Spaniel Pickles has also been getting used to the new sights and sounds of public transport, as he visited a train station.

Pickles will soon go on his first adventure on the train, but making sure he is relaxed with all those new sounds is a very important first step.

In the final stages of his hearing dog training, Shadow has been exploring lots of different public places he might visit with his future deaf partner.

There are often distractions when out in public such as tempting smells, lots of people, and potential toys to take home, but Shadow's Dog Training Instructor, Laura, shares just what a good boy he was on his recent trip:

"Shadow was absolutely incredible and showed everyone how cool, calm and confident he can be out in public in his burgundy jacket. We went to numerous shops and he did us all so proud - my face hurts from smiling so much.

"He is the perfect example of what I would love to provide somebody with, as a hearing dog.

"Smashing lad, Shadow."

Richie has grown from a little pup who loved a snooze in his toy box, to a very clever boy who is doing brilliantly in his hearing dog training.

Richie is celebrating passing the second stage of training - the Puppy 2 Star - and this means he is now the proud owner of a burgundy training jacket.

Our clever cocker spaniel will wear his jacket when practising in public places like supermarkets and cafes, as well as when gaining experience on public transport.

The biggest round of applause for Jules, who is going to be a life-changing hearing dog after passing his final training assessment!

Jules has grown from a very cute puppy into such a clever boy, and a huge thank you must go to his wonderful team.

We know Jules is going to make the world of difference to his deaf partner and we are so proud of him.