Dog partnerships

Our involvement with a dog partnership never ends. We will always be on hand to help, support and advise the partnership throughout the dog’s working life.

Mid shot of a smiling woman sat next to a black labrador with her arm around it, the dog is wearing a hearing dogs jacket

How a deaf person and a hearing dog become a partnership

Before they begin their new life together, we perform a handover known as a Placement Course. The trainer will have good understanding of the dog’s personality and training progress, as well as the deaf partner’s needs, before bringing both together. 

 

Bringing the partnership together

After a hearing dog passes its final training assessment, the hearing dog and deaf partner begin a Placement Course which is a modular programme to support bringing the new partnership together.

During the first few weeks, the new partnership will receive ongoing support from our expert team. This will help the partnership to continue to settle into routines and explore their local area together.

At the end of the Placement Course, the newly-formed partnership attends one of our training centres to complete the programme. 

Find out more about our Puppy Star Awards

Learn more about how we train our hearing dogs to the highest international standards. Visit our Dog Training Standards page.

Find out more

Centre-based training week

A woman is sat in a lounge with a man dressed in hearing dogs staff uniform meeting a brown spaniel

Working with our Partnership Trainers, this week is very relaxed, enjoyable and progresses at the dog and recipient’s own pace.

It is a chance for the new partnership to meet other deaf partners and hearing dogs at the same stage of their journey.

They will spend their time developing further skills, through advice and peer support group work to build confidence, practicing sound work, as well as strengthening their relationship and bond with their dog.

 

Ongoing support for dog partnerships

Depending on the dog partnership, our team may visit the deaf person and their dog in their own home, or at regular community-based sessions.

These sessions are a wonderful way to see how they are getting on and answer any questions they may have, as well as allowing them to meet other partnerships locally.

 

Local support

The partnership will also connect with their local contact who will be closer to them in case they need immediate support.

This is also beneficial as we hold regular Community Days for all our hearing dog partners and applicants – where they can share stories, offer advice to one another, and develop friendships. 

Ongoing training

Two women sat in a lounge, the one is hearing dogs uniform is showing the other how to use a training timer

The training of a hearing dog technically never ends. We are always working with our hearing dogs and their deaf partners to ensure they do not forget any part of their training. If necessary, this includes help with top up training if required.

Our team can also help with any new training a hearing dog may require. This can include if a deaf person is expecting a baby. We will help them train their hearing dog to alert them to the sound of their baby monitor.

 

A dog’s retirement  

After a long, happy, and rewarding life, we think a hearing dog deserves a well-earned rest. They usually retire at around 11 years old and can remain living with the deaf partner who they have helped so much throughout their working life.