Puppy Socialisers Urgently Needed

 

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© Hemera

The Charity recruits puppies and young dogs from between the ages of eight weeks and three years, but all of them need a period of time with a volunteer socialiser. It may be a few weeks, or it may be a few months, but however long or short, the time the puppies spend with their socialisers is essential to help shape the young dogs' personalities and increase their confidence, and absolutely vital to the continuation of the Charity's work.

The puppy socialiser plays an extremely important role in the initial training of a hearing dog, introducing the young dog to different experiences and environments as well as teaching him basic obedience and manners that will stand him in good stead for the next stage of advanced soundwork training. Puppy socialising is very rewarding, and socialisers get the added bonus of knowing they are playing a part in helping a deaf person to enjoy the benefits of confidence, security and independence that a hearing dog will bring them. The Charity will provide everything that the new recruit will need from food to toys and bedding. Trainers will also be on hand to give telephone support, and socialisers will be required to bring their puppies to puppy class at the Hearing Dog centre in Buckinghamshire on a regular basis.

One socialiser explains why she chose to look after these young dogs: "It is a good feeling knowing that we have played a part in a rescue puppy's success as a working companion. But the best thing is learning about the important partnerships between puppies you have nurtured and their new deaf owners.”

Jenny Moir, Hearing Dogs' Head of PR, explains the importance of puppy socialisers to the Charity's future: "A hearing dog puppy's socialisation period is one of the most important parts of the young trainee's life. As a charity we simply could not continue our operation without the goodwill, time and commitment that volunteer puppy socialisers give in guiding their charges through their puppyhood. It is fair to say that if we cannot find more socialisers, we will be unable to meet the demands for fully trained hearing dogs.”

For more information about becoming a puppy socialiser, please contact the Charity on 01844 348105.

- For more information on the charity go to: www.hearing-dogs.co.uk

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