Become a Volunteer Dog Trainer

We are looking for volunteers to help us care for and train our gorgeous puppies and dogs in their own home.

Two laughing women both wearing burgundy hearing dogs volunteer uniform, the woman on the left has a Spaniel with her and the woman on the right has a Cockapoo

Our hearing dogs are specially trained to alert deaf people to important sounds, like a smoke alarm or a baby's cry. They’re also companions. Their love and emotional support help many deaf people feel less isolated and alone.

A hearing dog can be life-changing, but their training can't be done without our amazing volunteers. Could you help us train our young dogs?

Apply now

Why become a dog trainer?

You’ll provide a home for one of our adorable dogs and get to watch them grow into clever hearing dogs. Thanks to your training they’ll go on to become a loving friend and support for a deaf person, helping them reconnect with life. 

You’ll also get to meet lots of likeminded people and make new friends by attending our fun dog training classes. Your local Dog Training Instructor will help you become an expert dog trainer and you’ll be able to share advice and get support from other volunteers in your local group.

Golden spaniel standing in grass

What's it like to train our life-changing hearing dogs?

Find out first hand from our lovely volunteer Julie what it's like to care for and train a life-changing hearing dog. 

This video requires marketing cookies to be viewed. Please accept cookies to view this video content.

What’s involved in training a hearing dog?

Volunteer dog training involves looking after and caring for one of our puppies or young dogs on a full-time basis, in your own home. The puppy will be with you for between 6 to 18 months before they move on to the next phase of their training, or to their new match.

You don’t need any previous experience to apply, you’ll have the full support of a local Hearing Dogs Training Instructor, and access to Hearing Dogs 40+ years of experience training dogs.

You’ll take part in group training classes and you’ll keep up the training at home with the help and support from a dedicated team of dog trainers, canine healthcare specialists and an online portal packed with guidance and information.

All food, bedding, toys and equipment will be provided. Medical expenses, treatments, grooming and insurance are also covered by Hearing Dogs. All you need to provide is a safe home, a secure garden and lots of time and love.

Apply now

Locations

Volunteer trainers must live within our catchment areas.

We are currently looking for volunteers within the following areas in England:

  • Buckinghamshire
  • Bedfordshire (and Northampton)
  • Peterborough & Stamford
  • Greater Manchester (South)
  • Cheshire East
  • Devon
  • Hampshire
  • Hertfordshire
  • North East
  • South Oxon
  • West Berkshire (and Reading)
  • Yorkshire


We are also looking for volunteers in Scotland in:

  • Edinburgh
  • Midlothian