• Kyle@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    6
    arrow-down
    2
    ·
    1 year ago

    It should be said, if you have a puppy or are getting a puppy. Socialize and habituate them to the sounds. Start with recordings of fireworks playing in another room, treat them when they react to the sounds. When they start wagging their tails and come to you when they hear it, make it more intense by increasing the volume or bringing then into the room. Keep practicing and proofing multiple days per week for months until your puppy happily comes to you when they hear loud bangs.

    My puppy now wags his tail and joyfully comes to me when lightning strikes because he thinks it’s a fun treat game. Absolutely way better than the alternative. It takes a few weeks with puppies, could take years for traumatized rescues and adults.

    • Demuniac@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 year ago

      This is good advice. Sadly it doesn’t work for every cat or dog but In most cases this is great.

    • Entropywins@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      1 year ago

      This is why I haven’t invited a dog into my life yet… I still have sooo much to learn about how to help a pup live a happy and healthy life, can’t wait though!!!

      • Kyle@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        We take our puppy to a group training class that socialises our pup to other puppies and drip feeds/reminds us of how to raise him, as well as training. I did a tonne of reading before hand but realised I could have winged it with all the great info at puppy class.

        But I waited a decade for me to be in the right place to raise him right. I have prioritised his raising above all else these first 2 months and get to slow down next month as his foundation is quite strong now. It’s all been so worth it!