Hearing Dog Training - The Essentials: No. 1. The Nudge

How hearing dogs are trained to change lives – one nudge at a time

Over time, the dog learns to independently respond to a specific sound.
© Holly Dwyer

For people who are deaf or have hearing loss, missing crucial sounds like smoke and fire alarms, doorbells, or even a baby’s cry can cause significant anxiety and leave them feeling extremely vulnerable. While technology offers some solutions, one of the most life-changing forms of support doesn’t come from a device – it comes on four paws.

Hearing dogs not only provide companionship and emotional support, but also play a crucial role in alerting their partners to important and potentially life-saving sounds. But how does a dog learn to recognise the sound of a smoke alarm, or wake someone up when their alarm clock goes off? Audiology News UK spoke to Hearing Dogs trainers Jemma and Michelle to uncover the impressive training journey behind every nudge.

More than a nose for treats

Alerting To The Doorbell
© Paul Wilkinson

Although dogs are known for their remarkable sense of smell, hearing dogs use their nose for more than just sniffing out tasty treats. When the dog hears a specific sound, they nudge their partner to signal that something needs their attention.

While the action seems simple, the process behind it is anything but. The training is deeply rooted in positive reinforcement.

“Our dogs are trained to understand that nudging leads to something positive,” says Jemma. “And that reward-based system keeps them motivated, focused, and happy throughout the training process.”

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People primarily works with four breeds – Labradors, Cocker Spaniels, Miniature Poodles, and Cockapoos – all chosen because they are eager to learn, respond well to sound, and love being around people.

Step One: Learning to Nudge

Nudge nudge, wink wink – a dog nudge is as good as a shout to a deaf person.

To teach the nudge, Hearing Dogs trainers often use a combination of two techniques: targeting and luring, both of which tap into a dog’s natural curiosity.

In luring, a trainer hides a treat behind their knee while sitting, encouraging the dog to seek out the treat with their nose. This removes the initial need for decision-making, and helps build the dog’s confidence in using its nose to push against things for a reward.

The other technique, known as targeting, involves placing a small marker – like a Post-it note or tape – on random household items such as an empty water bottle. When the dog sniffs and nudges the object, they are immediately rewarded.

“At first, nudging may not be something that comes naturally to them,” Michelle explains. “We’re asking them to proactively make a choice, rather than just respond to a cue like sit or down.”

A sense of fun and reward in training is key to developing confident and happy hearing dogs. What’s more, different dogs learn in different ways and find different things engaging. So, their trainers have many different techniques up their sleeve to ensure the dog’s tail keeps wagging.

Once they’ve got a nose for the nudge…

© Paul Wilkinson

It’s all very well knowing how to nudge, but hearing dogs need to get the attention of their deaf partner even when they’re doing the washing up, vacuuming or are fast asleep. To achieve this, the trainers gradually introduce heavier objects for the dogs to nudge over – this could be as simple as putting some water in a plastic bottle. In time, the trainers move the Post-it or tape to their leg and begin asking the dog to nudge them instead.

Connecting the nudge to a sound

© Paul Wilkinson

The real magic begins when dogs start linking the nudge with sound. But rather than jumping straight to smoke alarms or doorbells, trainers begin with a simple squeaker.

“When the dog nudges to get a treat, we squeak,” says Jemma. “Then, when they hear that squeak again, they associate it with the reward and begin to nudge in anticipation. In time, we only reward them for nudging in response to the squeaker.”

Eventually, the squeaker is replaced with real-life sounds, such as a doorbell or alarm clock. The same pattern follows: the sound is made, the dog nudges, and is rewarded. Over time, the dog learns to independently respond to that specific sound, no matter what else is happening around them.

From nudging to leading

Smoke alarm training.
© Paul Wilkinson

Once a dog is reliably alerting to a variety of sounds, they are taught to lead their partner to the source of the sound – whether it’s the doorbell or the cooker timer. The dog’s ability to nudge on hearing a sound, combined with leading them to the source of the sound, forms the soundwork sequence.

The final step in the sequence is the most critical: learning to respond differently to danger sounds. “When a dog hears a smoke alarm, they don’t lead their deaf partner to the sound,” Michelle explains. “Instead, they nudge, then lie down to indicate danger. This ensures their partner doesn’t walk into a potentially dangerous situation.”

Intelligent support that changes lives

The journey from puppy to fully qualified hearing dog requires time, patience, and a deep understanding of how a dog learns. Each stage builds on the last, and every success – from the first nudge to responding to a real alarm – brings the dog one step closer to wearing their burgundy Hearing Dogs jacket.

“Seeing a hearing dog complete the full soundwork sequence for the first time is not something you forget,” says Jemma. “It’s a testament to how clever these dogs are. And it all starts with a simple nudge.”

To learn more about the work of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk