This month in training: May 2024

This month has seen a lot of 'firsts' for our clever hearing dogs in training. Nutmeg and Nyla have worn their training jackets for the first time, River has been on her first trip to a town centre, and Zoey has had her first experience of a garden centre.

1. Ruby is the perfect passenger

The very clever Ruby has been busy learning all about trains.

There's lots of visits to stations and trips on public transport when you're in the third stage of hearing dog training - the Puppy 3 Star.

Ruby has been getting in lots of practise to make sure she is comfortable and relaxed, in case her future deaf partner travels by train or bus.

2. Nutmeg and Nyla are looking super smart

Siblings Nutmeg (golden cocker spaniel) and Nyla have been trying on their burgundy training jackets as part of the second stage of their hearing dog training.

Once they have passed the second stage, Nutmeg and Nyla will start to train in public places like shops and cafés, and this is where they will wear their jackets - so it's important they feel comfortable and relaxed in them.

You look very smart, Nutmeg and Nyla.

3. River did such a great job on her trip into town

Cocker spaniel River did so well on her first visit to a town centre.

There are many potential distractions when our dogs accompany their deaf partners on shopping trips, such as interesting items on shelves and lots of people around.

River wasn't fazed by any of her new surroundings and kept her focus brilliantly. Well done, River!

4. Zoey reached an important milestone in her early training

It's Zoey's first visit to the garden centre!

Zoey is the second stage of her training, the Puppy 2 Star, and is just starting to explore new spaces.

Quiet garden centres are the perfect introduction to public places for our younger pups and always the first stop in their training.

5. Fabulous Flossy is such a clever girl!

Cockapoo Flossy is in the final stage of her training and she is being introduced to the skills she'll need to alert her future deaf partner to life-changing, and potentially life-saving, sounds!

You'll see Flossy nudging her trainer with her nose to get her attention before leading her to the timer and the doorbell.

You'll also watch Flossy learning the danger signal for the fire siren - this is where she lies down instead of leading her trainer to the source of the sound to keep them safe.

6. River is a very popular name this month, and our wonderful Labrador is going to change her deaf partner's life!

From a playful eight-week-old pup, to an incredibly clever girl who has just passed her assessment - this is River's journey through hearing dog training.

You see River grow into such a gorgeous girl and also watch her alert to a doorbell and a smoke alarm. The smoke alarm alert sees River lie down as this indicates it is a danger sound.

Huge congratulations to River and her amazing team!