Introducing Puppies to Sights and Sounds
Early Sensitization Leads to Stable Adult Dogs
Nov 27, 2009 Jennifer A. Walker
Dog owners are often frustrated by their dogs’ fear of sounds, objects, or strange people. Thunderstorm and fireworks phobias are common, and many dogs are afraid of strange sights such as banners flapping in the breeze, helium balloons floating about, or men in hats or hoods. Breeders can take some steps while the puppies are in the litter to introduce a wide variety of sights and sounds, which can help to prevent fears in the adult dogs.
From birth to two weeks, puppies cannot see or hear; touch, taste and smell are the most important senses during this period. The eyes and ears open at around 10-14 days of age, but sight and hearing are not sharply defined for another week or so. Initial stimuli should be mild, so as not to overwhelm the developing senses.
Sight
Puppies can be exposed to visual stimuli while still in the whelping box. Vivid colors and patterns can be used for bedding; fabric stores often have fleece on sale, which is durable, warm, and comes in a variety of styles. Brightly-colored toys (which are used in the whelping box for tactile stimulation) can also have a visual effect.
As the puppies get older, toys that roll, shake, and bounce can develop tracking and acuity. Once the puppies move into a puppy pen, toys can be hung from the ceiling or top of the pen, to teach the puppies to look up as well as around. Puppies should also be encouraged to spend time outside when they’re old enough, to chase bugs, falling leaves, dandelion seeds, and each other.
Sound
Exposure to normal household sounds should be done early and often. During the first week or so that hearing is developing, sounds should be low or at a distance. Puppies should be accustomed to noises from the washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum cleaner, television, radio, dogs barking, birds singing, lawnmowers, telephones, and the rattling of pots and pans. CDs are available with thunderstorm and fireworks noises (and dog show noises, for show litters); these can be played at a low level when the puppies are eating, nursing, and sleeping. The volume can be gradually increased at the puppies’ comfort level.
Background music in the puppy area can be provided by a radio, at a low volume and set to a different station every day. This provides gentle exposure to a variety of instrument sounds, rhythms, and ranges. A soft wind-chime can be hung from the puppy pen, to make noise when the puppies bump into or brush by the pen walls. Noisy toys provide stimulation in many areas; there are toys that squeak, squawk, rattle, grunt, giggle, and make realistic animal noises. Every so often puppies should be startled by a sharp, sudden, loud noise, such as a metal food bowl or baking pan or a heavy book dropped from about waist height. Observing the puppies’ reactions and recovery times can help breeders evaluate stability of temperament.
Properly socializing and sensitizing a litter of puppies to sights and sounds takes some planning. It also requires a time commitment from the breeder, but pays off in the long run. Exposure to a wide variety of visual and oral stimuli as puppies can prevent fears in adult dogs.
A Radio Provides a Variety of Background Noise
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Vivid Colors and Patterns Provide Visual Stimuli
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