Welcome back to Alfie’s Puppy Pen!
In your last training update, you may remember we told you that Alfie likes to carry around his empty food bowl, to subtly hint that he is hungry (which for Labradors, is all the time!) Adorably, Alfie’s Volunteer Dog Trainers caught this cute ‘Alfie-ism’ on camera…
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Oh Alfie! We are sure it wasn't long until he was rewarded with a tasty treat for being such a good boy.
Alfie is now living with Jan and Mike, his new Volunteer Dog Trainers, and they are supporting him as he continues to learn the skills he’ll need to become a life-changing hearing dog. Recently, Alfie visited the supermarket with Jan, to practise staying focused in busy public places.
As a hearing dog, Alfie is likely to accompany his deaf partner to the supermarket on a regular basis, so it is important that he feels comfortable with the experience, e.g. walking alongside a shopping trolley.
Supermarkets are full of distractions, but Alfie is learning that he will be rewarded if he can keep his focus and ignore all the yummy and interesting items on the shelves.
It’s now time for a bathroom break! As a hearing dog, Alfie will go everywhere his deaf partner goes. Therefore, it is important Alfie is introduced to loud noises that he may hear in public, such as the hand dryer in a public toilet.
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Through gentle and positive reward-based training, Alfie is learning to associate the sound of a hand dryer as a normal everyday sound. As a result, he is completely unfazed and calmly settles on the bathroom floor. Well done, Alfie!
That’s all for today. Alfie is well on his way to becoming an incredible hearing dog, who will be able to confidently accompany his deaf partner to many public places. This would not be possible without your amazing support.
So, until next time, thank you so much for sponsoring Alfie.
Hello, I’m Elizabeth and I work in the puppy sponsorship team. I am very lucky to get to know lots of the adorable pups who are training to be life-changing hearing dogs – they really are amazing!
Registered charity in England and Wales no. 293358 and in Scotland no. SC040486. Royal Patron HRH The Princess Royal.