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All dogs accepted into the Dog Ears program are either trained on site at the Dog Ears Training Center located on the grounds of Anne's Country Club for Pets, 4200 E. Britton Road in Oklahoma City. Or they may be trained in the applicant's home with help from a hearing assistant and brought to the center for weekly training.
All of the dogs are  extensively trained in obedience and are screened to verify a willingness to respond to sounds and alert a person to the sounds on a consistent basis. Complete training consists of obedience training, sound training, socialization training, and home training.
Because Hearing Dogs are Service Dogs, they are accorded the same rights and privileges as other Service Dogs, so it is imperative that they have good social manners and acceptable behavior in public places.
The training normally takes from six to 12 months, depending on the individual dog. The final phase of training is with the dog's new owner. Training the new owner is an important part of a successful matching of dog and master. When the owner and dog leave the Center, the owner has continuing responsibilities towards the dog. These responsibilities include keeping the dog sharp and focused through a continuation of daily training exercises, keeping the dog well groomed and clean, making sure it behaves properly in public.
- Basic Dog Psychology: Dogs are pack animals who need an authority figure to follow and trust. A dog who has passed the dominance/submission tests should be willing to accept a person as head of his "pack." As the head of the "pack," the owner must provide for the dog's safety, see that he is fed, bathed and groomed regularly, and keep him in good health and physical condition. The dog must not be allowed to run free. When outside, he should be in a fenced yard, when inside he should be supervised or crated. Dogs learn by repetition. Anything good OR bad, they are allowed to do several times, will become a habit. They respond well to consistency and praise. Each dog has certain individual or breed characteristics and instincts which will influence the methods used in their training.
- Obedience Training: The basis of all dog training is obedience. The commands they learn include "Heel," "Sit," "Down," Stay" and "Come." They also learn commands such as "Wait," "Stand," "Settle," "Under" and many mor
 e. By the time the training is complete, most dogs know 50-100 words.
- Home Training: If the dog was a pet before being accepted into the Hearing Dog program, chances are good that this phase of his training has been completed. If not, it is necessary to teach him the skills and manners it takes to be a pleasant house pet. These skills include: being reliably housebroken, staying out of the trash and off the counters, respecting the person's space and possessions, remaining quiet and still when company comes and refraining from inappropriate barking.
- Socializing: This is a major area of training for the Fully Certified Hearing Dog and is a benefit to the Home Companion Dog as well. The dog must be able to go into public places and behave properly, walking close beside his person, not jumping on people, not barking, not sniffing at tables while in restaurants, moving easily through crowds and in general, being a well -mannered, trustworthy companion.
- Sound Training: Throughout his training period, the dog is taught how to respond to sounds. At first, he is taught to go to a particular sound, receiving a treat when he gets there. Later, he will be taught he must take his person with him to the sound to receive his reward. Later the treats will be phased out. This part of the dog's education is a lot of fun for the dogs and the trainers. The dog must thoroughly enjoy his work if he is to have a long career as a Hearing Dog.
 Training Site: Anne's Pet Country Club,4200 E. Britton Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73131. You can call us at: (405) 478-2303. Please make sure you have filled out all paperwork and have received an appointment before bringing your dog or coming yourself, unless otherwise arranged.
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