This month in training: December 2024

Miniature poodle Kristo has been on a big adventure, Piper's the perfect supermarket customer, Cockapoo Olive is celebrating some amazing news, and more. Find out what our clever hearing dogs in training have been learning.

1. Miniature poodle Kristo's big adventure

Clever Kristo always shows such lovely focus on his volunteer trainer and he did so well on his recent adventure, where he even met some celebrities!

Kristo waited very patiently at a station and was then the perfect passenger on his train journey, despite all those unusual movements and new sights and sounds.

Our clever miniature poodle then played it very cool when meeting Strictly Come Dancing's Tasha and Aljaž at a cafe, before showing off his super settle.

Next up was a trip to a supermarket, and again Kristo was so focused on his trainer despite the many potential distractions. Keep up the super work 'Team Kristo'.

2. Marvellous Marlon

A super settle from black Labrador Marlon, who visited a local hospital for some practise in a new environment.

A key part of hearing dog training is making sure our clever dogs are comfortable in the environments they may visit with their future deaf partner, and Marlon was certainly that.

Well done, Marlon!

3. Piper's done the weekly food shop

Piper's hearing dog training took her to a supermarket and our clever cocker spaniel kept her focus brilliantly in a busy shop environment.

There are lots of potential distractions in supermarkets, such as tasty items on shelves, shopping trolleys and a large number of people, so it's important our dogs keep their attention on the person they are with.

Well done perfect Piper, we are very proud of you.

4. Congratulations to Olive!

Amazing news to bring you as the wonderful Olive has passed her final training assessment to be a life-changing hearing dog.

Olive has been a joy to train and we know our very clever cockapoo is going to make the world of difference to her deaf partner.

Congratulations to Olive and her amazing team, who have made all this possible.

5. Poppy's first visit to the garden centre

It's a festive day out for Poppy.

Poppy is in the second stage of her hearing dog training and has been exploring dog friendly public places with her very first trip to a garden centre.

She did really well on her first visit and even got to choose herself a festive toy to take home!

We're so excited to see where Poppy will be heading next.

6. Raven has started learning how to alert her future deaf partner to sounds

Miniature poodle Raven is learning how to alert her future deaf partner to important life-saving sounds, and here she is alerting to a doorbell.

Raven nudges her trainer with her nose, before leading them to the front door. She then waits patiently on her mat as her trainer opens the door.

During her training, Raven will also learn how to alert to a host of other sounds, including an alarm clock, a cooker timer and a smoke alarm.