A professional trainer delivers the Hearing Dog to its new home and works with the team

for five days. During this time, the recipient is taught how to maintain the dog’s training

to ensure a good working relationship and proper care.

After placement and successful completion of a 90-day trial period, the dog is certified as

a Hearing Dog and receives its orange collar, leash, and official I.D. card. Hearing Dogs

have legal access to all public places while accompanied by their owner.

Once selected, each dog receives a thorough medical examination to ensure a long healthy life before training begins. This includes blood work, vaccinations and spay or neuter if necessary.

During daily training sessions, the dogs learn to respond to many sounds in the home, such as the doorbell or knock, telephone, alarm clock, smoke alarm, or a baby’s cries. General obedience and socialization rounds out their 4-8 months of custom training.

International Hearing Dog, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Henderson, Colorado. We specialize in the training and placement of Hearing Dogs at no cost to the recipient. IHDI has trained more than 1,100 professionally certified hearing dogs since 1979. All of the dogs selected for this special training come from local animal shelters. The dogs are generally mixed breeds, six months to a year in age, in good health, with aim-to-please, energetic personalities.

IHDI also trains dogs to assist Deaf/Blind individuals (in the home only) by guiding slowly to the source of the sound. Each dog is selected with the needs and lifestyle of its new master in mind.

Home | About Us | Events | Get Involved | Recipients & Applicants | Contact Us | Demos & Tours