These once homeless canines go through months of comprehensive training at The SF/SPCA Hearing Dog Training Center. Using positive reinforcement, the trainers teach the dogs a technique called "sound keying." A dog runs from the trainer to the source of the sound (doorknock or telephone for example), then back to the trainer to make body contact to alert her to the sound.

In response to a smoke alarm or alarm clock, Hearing Dogs are taught to jump onto a bed or couch to wake up a sleeping person using physical contact or a nose nudge. The dogs are also given obedience training and taught to understand both voice and sign language commands.

Hearing Dogs have legal access with their owners into all places of public accommodation, including public transportation. For the convenience of our graduates, Hearing Dogs are issued an orange vest with our logo and ���"Hearing Dog" printed on each side. Each dog also wears an orange collar with ID and their orange leash has the words, "Hearing Dog" printed near the snap.

Dogs are trained to these typical sounds: Doorknock/bell Telephone/TDD Smoke Alarm Digital Timer/Beeper Alarm Clock Calling Person's Name