Puppy socialising
Hearing Dogs recruits puppies and young dogs from between the ages of eight weeks and three years, but all of them need a period of time with a volunteer socialiser. It may be a few weeks, or it may be a few months, but however long or short, the time the puppies spend with their socialisers is essential to help shape the young dogs’ personalities and increase their confidence.
Puppy socialisers also play a vital role in the early training of a hearing dog, introducing the young dog to different experiences and environments as well as teaching him basic obedience and manners that will stand him in good stead for the next stage of advanced sound work training. Puppy socialising is very rewarding, and socialisers get the added bonus of knowing they are playing a part in helping a deaf person to enjoy the benefits of confidence, security and independence that a hearing dog will bring them.
Contact the puppy socialising team on 01844 348129 or by email
Read more about different types of socialising below...
“Volunteers who foster and socialise our rescue puppies for us are the lifeblood of the Charity. Without their involvement in helping these unwanted dogs overcome their unfortunate beginnings, Hearing Dogs would not be able to train them to help our deaf clients. Many, many trained hearing dogs that are currently making such a difference to their profoundly deaf owners began their lives as strays. It is lovely to know that, with the help of members of the public, puppies that once had a bleak future can look forward to a life as an invaluable and much-loved companion.”
Jenny Moir, Hearing Dogs
Could you spare a little time and a lot of care? If so, you could play a valuable role in the making of a hearing dog. We urgently need more volunteer socialisers to give a short or long term home and basic training to hearing dog recruits.
This could be:
Full time:Taking a puppy or young dog into your home for up to eight months.
Short term:
Covering holidays, last-minute emergencies and taking home recruits that need only a very short time – a maximum of three weeks - in a home environment to continue their training.
Bed & Breakfast:
Some of our recruits undertaking their soundwork training like to go to a cosy home overnight rather than staying in kennels. B&B socialisers collect their charge from our training centre (Buckinghamshire or Yorkshire) around 5pm and return them the following day before 9am.
“Liffey was a joy to have around. It was amazing to have a hand in her development and to help her find out about public transport, other animals, and new people. With Hearing Dogs’ support my family were able to teach her the basics of good doggy manners and introduce her to all sorts of situations in readiness for her career!“
Lindsey Coulson, puppy socialiser
I can’t thank the Coulson family enough for their role in Liffey’s training.
“As a rescue dog from the Republic of Ireland she didn’t know much about love, long walks or good behaviour. With the Coulsons she learned all about this and through their efforts she entered her soundwork training a different dog.
“Now she is a model hearing dog for me and has brought me a sense of independence and freedom that I have not felt for years.”
Lyn Kolsteren, Liffey’s recipient
“It’s a great feeling knowing we’ve played a part in a rescue puppy’s success as a working companion. But the best thing is learning about the special partnerships between puppies you have nurtured and their new deaf owners.”
Bettina Meller (socialiser)
left: family picture and lovely Liffey at Hearing Dogs
