Sound Desensitisation for Puppies – Starting Early Matters

One of the most valuable lessons we can give our puppies in the first weeks of life is the ability to stay calm around everyday (and not-so-everyday) noises. Fireworks, thunderstorms, vacuum cleaners, traffic, children playing – these are all sounds that many dogs can find stressful if they haven’t been gently introduced to them early on.

This process is called sound desensitisation. The idea is simple: we expose puppies to different sounds in a controlled, positive, and safe environment, while they are relaxed, nursing, playing, or even sleeping. By doing this during their critical socialisation period (roughly 3–12 weeks of age), we help them grow into confident, well-adjusted adults who are far less likely to develop sound sensitivities or phobias later in life.

Today, I played a recording of fireworks while my 5-week-old puppies were resting. As you can see in the video, they remained calm – some even drifted off to sleep! This is exactly the kind of reaction we want: the sound becomes “background noise” rather than something frightening or alarming.

⚡️ Tips for sound desensitisation with puppies:

• Start with low volume and gradually increase over time.

• Pair the sound with something positive (cuddling, feeding, playing).

• Keep sessions short and relaxed.

• Never force or scare the puppies – the goal is calm exposure, not overwhelm.

By building this foundation early, we give our puppies the best chance at living stress-free, happy lives in our noisy human world.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1C5o624EGM/?mibextid=wwXIfr