Guide dog pups learn new tricks at aquarium

Five puppies have been learning to make a splash in the world as they train to become guide dogs.

The trainees - Elkie, Odin, Mitch, Shannon and Cooper - have been testing their resolve at The Deep aquarium in Hull as they learn how to navigate dark tunnels, adapt and respond to various social settings including unfamiliar creatures.

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association charity said the aquarium "school trip" for the pups was part of their training to make them more resilient to different environments.

Mandy Hodgson, who raised Elkie, said: "We know that this puppy is going to go on and give somebody a better quality of life."

Ms Hodgson added: "It's tremendously rewarding, although it's sad when they go, but we know that they are going to do some good for somebody."

The charity is appealing for volunteers who can either help raise the puppies or train them.

Puppy raisers look after the pups for the first 12 months of their life before the animals start their formal training at a guide dogs’ centre where they are trained by a handler.

Elise Finney, a puppy development advisor at the charity, said: “As our pups grow and develop, it’s really important that they are exposed to different sights and sounds, so they grow up to become confident guide dogs.

“To help support this, we try to organise days out for them, similar to school trips, where they can experience new places and learn how to behave well in these settings.

“The Deep has provided a fantastic, sensory environment for our puppies to explore, and our pups and volunteers have had a great day.”

Katy Duke, chief executive officer at The Deep, said staff were "delighted to watch the puppies developing their skills as they navigate the aquarium, discovering a multitude of different sensory experiences along the way".

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