This month in training: January 2026

Matt Sadler

Kenny has started his early hearing dog training, Maggie has been on her first visit to a shop, Barney has reached a major milestone, and much more. Find out what our clever dogs have been learning.

1. Stop whatever you are doing as little Kenny has popped by to say hello

Kenny has just started his early hearing dog training and is already picking up his basic cues like this lovely sit and wait so quickly.

As he goes through training, Kenny will practise these all-important cues in new environments with different distractions to build his confidence and focus.
He's such a clever pup!

A very cute black and white cocker spaniel puppy sitting on a tile floor looking up

2. Marvellous Maggie

Cocker Spaniel Maggie was a superstar on her first visit to a shop.

She wasn't fazed by any of the festive fuss and did really well keeping her focus and showing off her 'Sit' in a new environment.

After a job well done, a new toy was on the cards for Maggie who waited very patiently at the checkout to complete her shopping experience.

Well done, Maggie!

collage of three photos showing a brown cocker spaniel sitting patiently on a wooden floor. A training jacket can be seen worn in 2 of the photos.

3. All aboard

It's a milestone moment for Cockapoo Koko, who was the perfect passenger on her first train journey.

All hearing dogs experience travelling on trains and buses during their training and it's important Koko feels comfortable with all those unusual sounds and movements in case her future deaf partner uses public transport.

A collage of three photos of Koko, a light coloured fur cockapoo sitting and lying down on a train carriage. She is wearing a hearing dogs training jacket.

4. Shopping, settling, and snoozing

Koko’s sister, Kayla has been busy gaining experience in the environments she will visit with her future deaf partner, and she has done so well on recent trips to a shopping centre.

Kayla did a great job walking around the shops and showed how comfortable she was with some super settles.

Not only was Kayla the perfect customer, but she was also a very relaxed passenger on her bus journey home - even having a little nap.

Collage of four photos of Kayla, a light coloured cockapoo sitting and settling in a shopping centre. She is wearing her burgundy training jacket in all photos.

5. Amazing April

April has a big year ahead of her as she is starting 2026 by entering the next stage of her hearing dog training - the Puppy 3 Star.

April will focus on practising in the public places she will visit with her future deaf partner, such as supermarkets and cafés - all while wearing her new burgundy training jacket.

This is also the part of training where April will travel on public transport for the first time.

Collage of four photos of April, a white labrador at various ages, from tiny pup to older dog. She can be seen posing with her 2 star certificate in the lower left photo

6. Brilliant Barney

Barney is celebrating passing his assessment to be a life-changing hearing dog!

Barney has grown into such a clever, happy and loving boy, and we are incredibly proud of him. We know he is going to make the world of difference to his deaf partner.

Passing his assessment means that Barney now has a new burgundy jacket, which he is proudly showing off in the last photo.

A huge thank you must go to Barney's wonderful team - none of this would have been possible without them.

Collage of three photos of Barney, a black and white cocker spaniel from tiny pup to full grown. The last photo shows barney lying on grass wearing his full hearing dog jacket.

About the author

Hi everyone, I'm Matt and I look after the charity's social media, blog and e-newsletter.

I spend a lot of my day talking about our hearing dog superstars - it's a hard life!