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Puppy Advice

Teaching your puppy not to be scared of noises

Proof your puppy against everyday scary noises such as thunder, fireworks and vacuum cleaners.

Worried Jack Russell

Sounds for Life

The aim of this soundtrack is to help prepare your puppy for life in the modern world. Noise phobias in dogs are common, and these noises will help prevent your puppy becoming afraid in later life. Regular use of these noises will also ensure that your puppy will be more confident in noisy situations and when having encounters with noisy objects for the first time.
  • Collie worried by vacuum

The Sounds for Life Soundtrack includes

  • Car and traffic noises
    Car and traffic noises
  • Lorry air-brakes
    Lorry air-brakes
  • Trains
    Trains
  • Thunderstorm
    Thunderstorm
  • Gunshot
    Gunshot
  • Bird scarer
    Bird scarer
  • Artillery fire
    Artillery fire
  • Fireworks
    Fireworks
  • Aeroplanes
    Aeroplanes
  • Hot air balloon
    Hot air balloon
  • Helicopters
    Helicopters
  • Lawn mower
    Lawn mower
  • Music
    Music
  • Children playing
    Children playing
  • Babies crying
    Babies crying
  • Party sounds
    Party sounds
  • Telephone ringing
    Telephone ringing
  • Kitchen sounds
    Kitchen sounds
  • Washing machines
    Washing machines
  • Vacuum cleaner
    Vacuum cleaner
  • Hair dryers
    Hair dryers
  • Aerosol cans
    Aerosol cans
  • Doorbell/knocker
    Doorbell/knocker
  • Letterboxes
    Letterboxes

Sounds for Life soundtrack

How to use

  • pup with elephant toy
  • Start quietly
    Start quietly
    Start at a very low volume and check that your puppy is behaving normally and happily with the soundtrack playing quietly in the background.
  • Watch your puppy
    Watch your puppy
    If your puppy shows any signs of noticing the noises, or, worse, being afraid, turn the volume down – remember that dogs hearing is more acute than ours so they will hear at a volume below our normal hearing range. Do not leave the puppy alone while the noises are playing
  • Create positive associations
    Create positive associations
    Play games and feed tasty treats frequently during sounds to ensure a positive association with the noises.
  • Short training sessions
    Short training sessions
    The full soundtrack is 25 minutes long so break it up into sections and play for just 5 minutes at intervals during the day at first.
  • Positive attitude
    Positive attitude
    Your attitude is important. Stay positive and happy, using the volume to reduce noises if there is any concern, rather than being overly sympathetic or showing concern yourself. In this way, your puppy will see that you are not worried and can relax.
  • Gradually get louder
    Gradually get louder
    During successive plays, gradually increase the volume, never going higher than the puppy can easily cope with.
  • Practice regularly
    Practice regularly
    Play these sounds every day until your puppy is happy to accept the noises played at a volume comfortable for humans. Then continue to play once a week until your puppy is 1 year old.

Preparing for Fireworks Night

The following video contains some additional tips to help prepare your puppy for fireworks night.
  • Tutors in class before puppies arrive for training

How can a Puppy School Tutor help?

If you would like some additional advice on helping your puppy be comfortable with certain noises, please get in touch with your local Puppy School tutor to find out how they can help you further. 

As well as training classes, many of our tutors offer home visits to provide additional 121 support and guidance for you, your family and your puppy. 

Find your local Puppy School tutor

If none of our Puppy School tutors are local to you, we recommend contacting an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Animal Training Instructor for further help and advice.

Find an ABTC registered Training Instructor

  • Golden Retriever puppy looking worried and needing reassurance

Need more help?

If your puppy is already showing significant worries around certain noises or if they are generally very sensitive and spook easily, additional support may be required outside the remit of a puppy trainer. 

In these cases it is best to seek professional help fast.  We recommend contacting an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist when further advice and support is needed.

Find an ABTC registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist

Find your nearest Puppy School

Find your nearest Puppy School here and begin your journey with us!

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