How we train our dogs

For our hearing dogs, training starts when they are just a few weeks old. Find out more about the techniques we use to build their skills and grow them into confident companions.

Woman sat outside on a bench giving a treat to a black and white Spaniel where a training jacket

With the help of our wonderful Volunteer Dog Trainers and lots of love and praise, they will grow up into fully trained hearing dogs and make a difference to the lives of those they are matched with.

 

A puppy is born

Let us start at the very beginning. Find out what happens when a hearing dog puppy is born and what they learn during the first eight weeks of their life. Visit our webpages which look at how we provide a lifetime of care for our wonderful hearing dogs. 

 

Puppy training stages

From eight weeks of age until around 18 months old, our hearing dogs stay with one of our fantastic Volunteer Dog Trainers.

With the help of our Dog Training Instructors, they attend regular training sessions and work on the life skills they need to grow into confident and fun-loving hearing dogs.

At various stages of their training, our puppies must pass Hearing Dogs Awards called Puppy Stars! 

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

Reward based training 

A female Hearing Dogs trainer in a burgundy branded hooded top is sat against a tree on some grass in sunshine looking at a yellow Labrador sat calmly beside her

Reward-based training is a method of dog training that encourages the behaviours we want by rewarding a dog when they get something right.  

A reward will be anything from a tasty treat and verbal praise to fuss and cuddles, depending on what the dog enjoys the most. When a dog gets something, it wants for an action it has carried out, it is more likely to carry out that action in the future. This is known as positive reinforcement, and it really works.  

If a dog performs an ‘unwanted’ behaviour it is simply ignored. The dog does not get any attention or treats which means they’re less likely to repeat that behaviour again.

 

Why we never punish a dog for an unwanted behaviour

Something that makes our partnerships between hearing dogs and deaf people so unique is the unbreakable bond between the pair. They become each other’s best friends and as they grow to depend on one another. To create and strengthen this bond throughout the dog’s life, there must be a mutual trust between dog and human.

Training methods that use punishment or negative reinforcements can undermine this relationship, have been linked with behavioural problems, such as avoidance of tasks over the fear of doing wrong, and sometimes even aggression as an act of self-defence.

We want to make sure all our life-changing dogs feel safe, relaxed and totally trust humans around them. They do an amazing job by changing lives – it’s the least we can do in return!

By using positive reinforcement and reward-based training, our dogs aim to please. They feel more confident, safe and loved and that is incredibly important.

 

The benefits of reward-based training

There are many reasons why reward-based training works, especially when training hearing dogs. Here are a few examples:

It creates the all-important bond between dog and human

Our hearing dogs will be surrounded by humans their entire lives, from their Volunteer Dog Trainer, to dog trainer, to the deaf person whom they will spend their life with. Establishing a bond with each of these helps to create life-changing partnerships.

It creates calm and happy hearing dogs

By using reward based training and positive reinforcement, we help our dogs feel calm, relaxed and unafraid. This makes for some very happy dogs indeed, which is the best mindset for learning important new skills!

We all have lots of fun during training

Lots of toys, tasty treats and cuddles – what’s not to love for both dog and human? When you see a hearing dog in training, they are totally focused, tail wagging and show positive body language throughout the session. Our trainers are calm, smiling and patient. It’s lovely to watch – you can see for yourself here.

It works

We have been using this training method since we launched Hearing Dogs in 1982 and have trained thousands of dogs without punishing them.

Whilst our dogs are known for how they alert deaf people to important sounds like the fire alarm; they also have impeccable obedience and manners when out in public so they can access places with their deaf partner where pet dogs aren’t allowed to go. We have seen first-hand that reward-based training works and creates intelligent, happy, confident and trusting hearing dogs.