How do we train our puppies?

We make training fun for our dogs

This means we base it around games, treats and fuss - it's called reward based training. A hearing dog puppy sees their training as a fun and exciting activity, rather than a chore.

Watch this video about a hearing dog's training

Training a hearing dog starts when a puppy is just a few weeks old. And although it’s hard to believe these adorable puppies are capable of changing lives – with a bit of help (and a lot of praise and cuddles) they really do make a monumental difference to deaf people. Read all about the amazing journey a puppy goes through to become a fully trained hearing dog.

Here’s a quick introductory video to how we train our puppies:

A puppy is born

Let’s start at the very beginning. Find out what happens when a hearing dog puppy is born, what they learn during the first eight weeks of their life and when they leave their mum and siblings to continue their journey.

A hearing dog's pregnancy

Wonder where our hearing dog puppies come from? Find out more by following a hearing dog’s pregnancy.

A pup's first eight weeks

Discover the changes a hearing dog puppy experiences during their first eight weeks of life.

The first step into training

When a pup is eight weeks old, they will take a major step on their journey to becoming a hearing dog.

Puppy training

From eight weeks of age to around 16 months old, our hearing dog pups stay with one of our volunteer puppy trainers. Our pups receive most of their obedience training from their puppy training volunteer and attend regular training sessions at one of our training centres. At different stages of their training, our puppies must pass Hearing Dogs awards called Puppy Stars! Find out what they’re tested on in each stage below.

Puppy One Star

Training a puppy starts at an early age – but it's lots of fun! Find out more about the Puppy One Star here.

Puppy Two Star

At this stage of training, pups will learn about the world around them, good behaviour and social interactions.

Puppy Three Star

Our clever pups will build on their training in this Puppy Star, and will get more responsibility to make decisions.

Final matching and training

Once these clever canines have passed the first three Puppy Stars, they move into advanced training and meet the deaf person whose life they will change. Take a look at what happens during a hearing dog puppy’s final months of training.

Puppy Four Star

Our dog trainers help to fine-tune a dog’s training to make sure they're ready for their final assessment.

A hearing dog's placement

This is where a hearing dog will spend time with the deaf person whose life they are going to change.

Our continued support

A hearing dog's journey does not end here – we support a partnership throughout a dog's lifetime.

How do hearing dogs help deaf people?

Ever wondered how much difference a hearing dog could make to the life of a deaf person? Click here to learn more about the sounds a hearing dog responds to and how they help reduce a deaf person's isolation and loneliness.