“It has been over seven weeks since Ruby arrived with us, and she’s shaping-up to be a very confident and alert puppy - quick to learn and even quicker to seek out new experiences.

The first time we saw Ruby was at the Dogs for the Disabled training centre, where, along with five other Puppy Socialisers, we excitedly waited in the main reception area while the puppies took their first official photo-call out on the main lawn.

Paparazzi session successfully completed, the seven-week-old puppies were each matched to their respective Socialisers and we very quickly discovered that Ruby was by far the most vocal of the group – an attribute that she still takes it upon herself to remind us of every now and again!

As always with a new puppy, the first week at home was very much a settling-in period and an opportunity to start to build a strong bond. From day one, I gradually introduced Ruby to basic commands such as ‘sit’, ‘down’ and practised recall using the technique of positive reinforcement and small treats. She responded really positively and has easily progressed to ‘stand’ and ‘sit-stay’, as well as performing ‘toilet on command’.

A key part of the Puppy Socialiser role is to introduce Ruby to a wide variety of different experiences, so in these first few weeks we have regularly taken her with us to town, supermarkets, a selection of banks and shops, fetes, cricket and polo matches, and visits to friends and neighbours. She has also attended a village meeting, causing some hilarity by yawning during one of the less exciting discussions and then animatedly responding when a vote was taken!

As well as a monthly Puppy Class at the training centre, we also have visits from our experienced Dogs for the Disabled Puppy Co-ordinator, Claire Lush, for a one-to-one discussion on Ruby’s progress. We receive excellent support, covering everything from training queries to any medical concerns, as well as setting achievable targets for the month ahead, such as working on ‘down-stay’ and a little more work to walk steadily on lead.

During these first weeks it has been great fun getting to know Ruby, and she has certainly kept us entertained! We quickly discovered that she loves water, happily gambolling beneath the spray from the garden hosepipe. She has also rapidly progressed when it comes to car travel – where, previously, she loudly objected to every journey, she now rushes to the car and sits, sphinx-like, waiting to be placed into her protective travel cage. She proceeds to settle down almost immediately and gently snores her way to our destination, where she emerges, re-energised, and ready to take the next steps in her journey.”