Sound Therapy

Sound Therapy in Puppies

Sound therapy, also known as sound socialisation, is a training technique that helps dogs remain calm when exposed to a variety of sounds. By gradually introducing our puppies to different noises it can help can prevent fear based reactions and unwanted behaviours, such as excessive barking. This process is particularly important during a puppy’s socialisation period, which occurs between three and 16 weeks of age.

We hold shaping well-rounded, confident puppies to a very high importance. Sound training begins once they can hear, we encourage our puppy owners to continue this process after bringing their puppy home to give them the best start in life.

We live in a world full of sounds both subtle and loud that our dogs encounter daily. From household noises like vacuum cleaners and dishwashers to outdoor sounds such as traffic, thunderstorms or fireworks, the variety of auditory experiences can be overwhelming for unprepared dogs so sound therapy is important to desensitise them to common sounds they will encounter during their lives. 

Dogs that are exposed to diverse sounds during their early weeks are generally better equipped to handle startling or sustained noises, such as a car door slamming or traffic. Early sound socialisation helps reduce stress, fosters a sense of security and can prevent behaviours like fear based barking or destructive tendencies.

Puppies are born with their eyes and ears sealed shut, experiencing the world through touch and smell during their first two weeks. As their eyes and ears open around week three, they enter a critical developmental stage, making it the perfect time to introduce sound conditioning.

We use a sound playlist to expose our puppies to a variety of noises they may encounter in their lifetime. These sounds include:

Everyday household noises (e.g., vacuum cleaners, hair dryers).

Outdoor sounds (e.g., traffic, thunderstorms).

Other animals (e.g., barking dogs, farm animals).

Human environments (e.g., babies crying, children playing).

This early training helps puppies associate these sounds with positive, non-threatening experiences helping them grow into balanced and confident dogs.

Once your puppy joins your family, I encourage everyone to maintain and build upon their sound conditioning. Gradually introduce them to new sounds at a low volume, rewarding calm behaviour to reinforce their positive response. As they grow more comfortable, you can increase the volume and vary the types of sounds to expand their tolerance and confidence.