The Dogs…Training

The training is conducted over an eight month period depending on the individual dog’s ability. This specialised positive reinforcement training includes these essential features.

1. Dog Psychology: -

   Dogs are pack animals who need an authority figure to follow and trust. Dogs respond to consistency and praise.

   When a dog has completed its Dominance/Submission training it is willing to accept a person as the leader of its "pack".

   As the head of the pack, the owner must provide for the dog’s safety, see that it is fed, and keep it in good health and physical condition and supervise the following requirements.

   The dog must not be allowed to run free. When outside, it should be in a fenced yard and when inside it should be supervised and working.

   Anything good or bad, they are allowed to do several times becomes a habit.

   Each dog has certain individual and breed characteristics and animal instincts, which will influence their training method.

2. Training: -

   The basis of all dog training is obedience. All dogs go through a special Obedience Training program where they learn the commands to Sit, Heel, Stay, Down and other commands.

3. House Training: -

   Designed to teach the dog the skills and manners it takes to be a good house pet. These skills include being basically housebroken, staying out of the garbage and off kitchen work surfaces, respecting their partners space and possessions remaining quiet and still when visitors come and refraining from inappropriate barking.

4. Socialising: -

   This training is designed to enable the Lions Hearing Dog to go into public places and behave properly. For example, the dog must walk closely beside its partner. It is forbidden to jump onto other people, bark, or sniff for food. The dog must be able to move easily through crowds and be a well behaved trustworthy companion.

5. Sound Awareness Training: -

Throughout this training period the Lions Hearing Dog is taught to respond to a variety of sounds that will influence the dog during its working life. There are several phases of this training, which firstly identifies the sound, then draws the attention of their owner to the sound and finally does all of the above.