Episode 3

Gatsby goes to puppy class!

Posted by Elizabeth Murphy
 

Welcome back to Gatsby’s Puppy Pen!

Your little sponsor pup has started attending hearing dog training school, and he has been having lots of fun in class with his new friends.

Gatsby has been learning his basic cues and has already mastered the perfect ‘sit’.

Yellow Labrador puppy sitting at puppy class with trainer

Clever boy!

Puppy classes are run by our fantastic hearing dog training staff, and they are full of fun activities to help Gatsby learn in a fun and exciting way. Training is all based around rewards, so when Gatsby does something correctly, he is given lots of praise, treats or a toy. This encourages him to repeat good behaviour and will help him to associate learning as a fun and positive experience.

Yellow Labrador puppy sniffing toys at puppy class
Gatsby picking out his favourite toy at puppy class

Puppy classes are also a wonderful opportunity for Gatsby to form a strong bond with his trainers, whilst also learning to listen carefully and follow instructions.

In the video below, Gatsby is practising responding to his name. If he runs to his trainer when she calls him, he receives a tasty treat. This fun game is a brilliant way of building Gatsby’s focus and attention, which are important skills that he’ll need throughout his hearing dog training journey.