Hearing dog facts for kids
A hearing dog is a special kind of working dog. These amazing dogs are trained to help people who are deaf or have trouble hearing. Their main job is to let their owner know when they hear important sounds.
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Training Hearing Dogs
Hearing dogs need to be calm and friendly. They must be comfortable around many different people and places. They are trained to listen for specific sounds and then tell their owner about them.
What Sounds Do They Learn?
Hearing dogs learn to recognize many important sounds. These can include:
Outside the home, they might learn to hear sirens or forklifts. They can also be trained to respond when someone calls their owner's name.
How Do They Respond to Sounds?
When a hearing dog hears a sound, they usually go to their owner and touch them. Then, they lead their owner to the source of the sound. For example, if the doorbell rings, the dog will alert their owner and then lead them to the door.
However, for dangerous sounds like a fire alarm, the dog will not lead the owner towards the danger. Instead, they might lie down on the floor to show their owner that something serious is happening, guiding them to safety.
How Long Does Training Take?
Training a hearing dog can take up to a year. Most hearing dogs are trained by special organizations. Sometimes, people choose to train their own hearing dog.
Accessibility for Hearing Dogs
In most countries, laws allow hearing dogs to go almost anywhere the public can go. This means they can go to stores, restaurants, and other public places with their owners.
How to Identify a Hearing Dog
Hearing dogs often wear special gear to show they are working. They might wear:
In the United Kingdom, hearing dogs wear burgundy (a deep red) jackets. These jackets have the logo of the charity that trained and paid for the dog. In Australia, hearing dogs wear bright orange leashes, collars, and harnesses. They also carry an official ID card.
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