Puppy Two Star

Once a hearing dog puppy has completed their Puppy One Star, they move on to the next stage of their training.

A young black labrador sat on grass next to a training certificate that says ‘Cooper has successfully passed Puppy 2 Star’

For our pups, the Puppy Two Star begins at around four months of age, and we aim for them to finish when they are about eight months old.

During this period of a young dog's life, we teach them everything they need to know about the world around them, good behaviour, and social interactions.

It is important to us that our dogs are comfortable, relaxed, and able to portray good self-control during this stage, too.

A young Spaniel sat well behaved and looking happy on some grass in a garden

We also want them to learn how to make the right choices with our guidance – which is crucial for a well-behaved hearing dog. Find out more about what a puppy learns in their Puppy Two Star below.

 

What does a puppy learn?

There are several different areas of training that we focus on in this important stage of a young dog's training.

 

Basic cues

These cues will be practiced throughout a their life – from the early age of three weeks old.

We are building on the amazing training they received in their Puppy One Star here – and introducing a few new aspects of each cue like:

  1. Learning their name – and it is used only for praise and not when they are up to mischief!
  2. Sit – this is now practised in new environments and when it is unexpected
  3. Down/Stand – the same as a ‘sit’.
A spaniel puppy sat focussing intently on its volunteer trainer while it does a good sit

These cues are all key to a hearing dog’s training as there will be lots of occasions when each cue is required. From out on public transport, to waiting at a restaurant to be seated, our clever canines need to be on their best behaviour. This comes from the crucial training they learn in their Puppy Stars.

 

Walking behaviour and recall

Our hearing dogs also spend a lot of their time on a lead when they are assisting a deaf person. So, we make sure a puppy feels comfortable on a lead in lots of busy and new environments.

We do not want to overwhelm them by taking them into a busy city straight away, so this training starts off in the family garden during their Puppy One Star. The next step is to walk around a local residential area on lead.

Our Volunteer Dog Trainers will also practise walking a puppy off lead in this stage, ensuring they learn to walk by their side in what we call heelwork. We usually practise this somewhere a bit quieter, such as the pup’s favourite park, to make sure they stay safe and feel relaxed.