The Training Blog – Chance and Tom

Meet hearing dog puppy Chance and his trainer Tom

Chance and Tom’s Training Blog – Week 13: Chance meets his potential recipient

This week Chance has been settling in an office, been filmed working to the phone, and he has been to meet his potential new recipient!

Chance and Tom’s Training Blog – Week 12: Off to school

This week Chance has started to learn the fire siren and fire bell, seen to the vet, and has been to visit a primary school.

Chance and Tom’s Training Blog – Week 11: Visiting a deaf club

This week Chance has been to a deaf club and unfortunately been feeling a little under the weather.

Chance in week 10 of his training to become a life-changing hearing dog

Chance and Tom’s Training Blog – Week 10: Chance’s Foundation Assessment

This week Chance has had his Foundation Assessment (FA) and has been working around other animals.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 9: Learning danger sounds

This week Chance has been ‘de-flead’, met a baby and has been learning danger sounds.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 8: Chance goes to London

This week Chance and I have been to London, and I have been checking Chance out in a variety of different scenarios so I can see if he is suitable for the deaf applicants I am thinking of matching him with.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 7: Chance goes to Oxford

This week Chance and I have been to Oxford city centre, he has been progressing with his soundwork training to the phone and his weekend socialisers have been continuing his obedience training with him.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – More from week 6: Chance having a clip

Here are some more photos from Chance's week 6 haircut.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 6: Chance's first assessment

This week Chance has had his week six assessment, had his coat clipped and I’ve started looking at potential deaf recipients to match him with.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 5: Putting together the full alert sequence

Things are a little different for Chance this week as his usual trainer Tom is on holiday, so while he is away Chance is being trained by Tom’s colleague Claire Fisher who gives us this week’s update:

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 4: Starting to wear his uniform

Chance has been progressing well with his training this week. He has started to be trained to wear his Hearing Dogs for Deaf People uniform, met some children, been to a busier town and he has been on a bus and a train too.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 3: Off to town

In week 3 of his training to become a hearing dog Chance has been on a trip into town and started to learn his first sound, the alarm clock.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 2: First off-site walk and starting to learn his 'alert'.

In week 2 of his training to become a hearing dog Chance has been learning to recognise the clicker, starting to learn his ‘alert’ and he’s been on his first off-site walk with his trainer Tom.

Chance and Tom's Training Blog – Week 1: Settling in.

Today sees the start of a new series on The Dog Blog. We'll be following Chance and his trainer Tom for the next few months so you can see how our puppies learn the sound work skills they need to become hearing dogs of the future.

Sponsor a puppy

If you'd like to sponsor a dog like Chance through their training program to become a life-changing hearing dog puppy we have two gorgeous pups available for you to sponsor right now. You'll receive a welcome pack with pictures of your chosen puppy plus lots of goodies, then you’ll receive regular updates as they progress through training.

Sponsor Marley

This lively little Cocker Spaniel is Marley, one of the hearing dog trainees available to sponsor today.

Marley is a sociable pup and loves playing in the garden with other dogs, and with his favourite toy, a black and white teddy. Marley enjoys his training and loves learning new commands, especially when he’s rewarded with a fuss and a cuddle.

Sponsor Nellie

This beautiful black Labrador is Nellie, one of the hearing dog trainees available to sponsor today.

Nellie is a cheeky puppy who’s great fun to be with and loves playing with people and other dogs. She’s already progressing really well with her training and enjoys being rewarded with a tasty treat.