Teaching your puppy not to be scared of noises
Proof your puppy against everyday scary noises such as thunder, fireworks and vacuum cleaners.
Sounds for Life
The Sounds for Life Soundtrack includes
Car and traffic noises- Lorry air-brakes
- Trains
- Thunderstorm
- Gunshot
- Bird scarer
- Artillery fire
- Fireworks
- Aeroplanes
- Hot air balloon
- Helicopters
- Lawn mower
- Music
- Children playing
- Babies crying
- Party sounds
- Telephone ringing
- Kitchen sounds
- Washing machines
- Vacuum cleaner
- Hair dryers
- Aerosol cans
- Doorbell/knocker
- Letterboxes
Sounds for Life soundtrack
How to use
Start quietlyStart 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 puppyIf 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 associationsPlay games and feed tasty treats frequently during sounds to ensure a positive association with the noises.
- Short training sessionsThe 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 attitudeYour 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 louderDuring successive plays, gradually increase the volume, never going higher than the puppy can easily cope with.
- Practice regularlyPlay 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
How can your Puppy School Tutor help?
The topic of training to be comfortable around noises is not specifically taught on the Puppy School syllabus. But if you would like some additional advice, please speak to your tutor to find out how they can help you further.
In some cases they may recommend a home visit to provide additional 121 support and guidance for you, your family and your puppy.
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. Your tutor will be able to help you find an Animal Behaviour and Training Council (ABTC) registered Clinical Animal Behaviourist when further advice and support is needed.
Testimonials
What Clients say
about Puppy School
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“Hayley and Peter were extremely knowledgeable, friendly and patient with Maple. The classes were very engaging and it was an absolute joy to watch Maple learn and grow! ”— Sherry
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“Caroline was lovely, clearly knowledgeable, very approachable and patient.”— Sarah
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“Absolutely loved it, learnt so much and Crunchie loved it too. Will miss it so will hopefully book on to the next stage”— Laura
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“The whole family really enjoyed the puppy course. Elin was a brilliant instructor, extremely knowledgeable, helpful, welcoming and easy to understand. We have learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the course. Thank you!”— Sam
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“We are very grateful to Pen for helping us through a testing period with Zef, our boisterous 5-month-old labradoodle puppy, who was mouthy and jumpy and had difficulty settling.”— Wendy