Pre Assessment

Hearing Dog Training Pre-Assessment Session

Purpose:

To assess whether the dog is suitable for hearing alert training and to provide an overview of the course.

Session Structure (approx. 60–90 minutes):

Introduction & Discussion

• Explain the goals of hearing dog training.

• Discuss what the course involves, time commitment, and expected outcomes.

• Answer any owner questions.

Dog Assessment

• Temperament: Observe friendliness, confidence, and emotional stability.

• Focus & Trainability: Test basic obedience (sit, stay, come) and responsiveness to handler.

• Sound Awareness: Introduce a few common household sounds (doorbell, phone, alarm) and note the dog’s reaction.

• Social & Environmental Adaptability: Assess behavior around distractions, other dogs, and strangers.

• Motivation & Reward Response: Evaluate the dog’s drive to work for treats, toys, or praise.

Observation & Notes

• Record strengths, potential challenges, and suitability indicators.

• Discuss how the dog responded to sounds, focus, and new environments.

Feedback & Next Steps

• Share assessment results with the owner.

• Discuss whether the dog is ready for the course, or if preliminary work (obedience, socialization, confidence building) is needed.

• Outline the first steps if the dog is suitable for training.