Getting used to noises

Since day one of having Bertie, I have taken him out and about on my mobility scooter, through town etc, getting him used to the various goings on outdoors.

Today, I wanted to tire him out for the evening so decided we would do our usual walk through the park and I would then take him down to the beach for a little while.

Well, turns out, there was a big halloween do going on through Bournemouth Gardens with lots of costumes, monsters, marching band, etc etc and a fairground at the pier.

He took it all in his stride and was happy to say hello to all the people and monsters that were lurking. We got to the pier area where the fairground was, lots of colourful lights, engines running the rides, screams from people on them and loud music being played.

He did really well, we drove through slowly (he was sat on the foot plate by then for security for him) and arrived at the promenade.

Bless him, even through all that noise he didn't freak out, he was a little nervous of that much noise but nothing too bad.

So, I decided, as he was so good, we would go down onto the sand to see how he liked it.

Oh boy, did he love it, he was charging round in circles all over the place, non stop fun for him, there was all seaweed washed up and he kept grabbing bits to play with! lol! We met up with a couple and their 3 year old boy and he was so busy playing in the sand that he wasn't interested in the people or the boy which is a first for Bertie! lol!

All too soon, good things come to an end and it was time to leave, Bertie objected to this, he wanted to stay and play more but I needed to get home and get something to eat.

So we got back on the scooter and headed off back through all the commotion of the fairground, people, marching band, monsters etc etc and he was as good as gold.

I'm so glad he's getting used to loud noises. My first dog who I got at 10 weeks old, well, I lived so close to the park that we never went onto the main roads at all. Then of course, one day I moved and we had no choice but to walk along roads. BIG mistake not taking her when she was young, she was petrified of traffic, particularly buses, she never tolerated fireworks or thunder storms either and would run as fast as she could if the Salvation Army marching band was playing. It was a nightmare sometimes because she was so scared of anything noisy.

It was through that mistake that I made sure not to do things the same with Bertie and so far it's paying off.

I guess the real test will be Nov 5th and the few days surrounding it, hopefully I have got him accustomed to enough noise to be able to just take it all in his stride.

Sorry for no pics on the beach but it was dark and I wasn't sure how he would behave so wanted to keep my eyes on him at all times. Next time, I will go while it's still light and definitely get some pics.

Apologies for any typos too, my eyes aren't focusing very well tonight, even with my glasses on so I can't really see any mistakes.

Anyway, just thought I would share.

Bye for now
Alison

i enjoyed your story, it was almost like being there. It sounds like you live in a lovely place for walks. I'm jealous about the the beach--i live in a beach town and am within walking distance, but dogs aren't allowed on the beaches. zack has never been. it will be great to see a photo essay of your next trip.

judy said:

i live in a beach town and am within walking distance, but dogs aren't allowed on the beaches. zack has never been. it will be great to see a photo essay of your next trip.

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During the summer, there is a dog ban on the main beaches but further down the coastline is an all year round dog friendly beach so can't really lose here. I have to say, I think where I live is a lovely place, never really appreciated it til I moved away for a year, hated where I moved to and then finally managed to get back home again.

Will defintely get some pics next time, they might be a blur though cos he didn't stay still for a second tonight! lol!

Alison

Sounds like a fun walk or should I say "ride". We seem to get fireworks going off all year where I live. People have money to throw away. Shouldn't it be law to only have them for two nights a year, fireworks night and new years eve perhaps? :swear:

:lol: sounds like you guys had an excellent time! Glad Bertie had fun! what did he think of the water???

yep definitely get pics next time! cant wait to see :flwr:

That sounds like a really fun time! I would love to live in a place like that. We have to get in the car and drive if we want to walk the dogs anywhere interesting.

Bet Bertie had a better time than you did Alison :lol: We got Maxx used to crowds and noises as early as we could but I don't think Charlie was well socialised until he came to us. everytime we take him anywhere, he drools and slobbers and panics

I hope Bertie is OK with the fireworks, Maxx is still terrified of them

Nisha said:

:lol: sounds like you guys had an excellent time! Glad Bertie had fun! what did he think of the water???

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He ran away from it every time it got too close! lol!

Alison

haha cute..that's what my two did when they were young

Getting puppies used to a range of noises while small is an excellent approach! And sounds like it was lots of fun, too.

One thing that is important is not to react yourself to loud noises like fireworks -- especially not to start comforting the dog when they go off, by cuddling or talking baby talk or whatever. Just ignore the noise and go on doing what you were doing. You will notice that when dogs hear a loud noise like thunder or fireworks -- they will look to you -- they do this because they are asking you how they are supposed to react. If you make a big deal out of it, it teaches the puppy or dog that this is something out of which a big deal has to be made. If the dog is clearly frightened of the noises, then don't subject it to the noise if you have an option -- eg if a loud band goes by and the dog is terrified then simply calmly walk in another direction but don;t make a big deal out of it.

If at home and it is fireworks this time of year, and the dog 'checks in' with you when it hears a scary noise, just cheerfully acknowledge s/he has looked to you with a 'good dog!' and then look away and go on with what you were doing. If the dog is cowering, try turning on a radio to block the outside noise, or a TV/stereo, but do NOT start saying 'oh poor sweetie, come here' and cuddle and hold the dog, etc or even keep looking to the dog. All you do is reinforce the fear as appropriate behaviour and the correct reaction. Worth noting this at this time of year. DAP hormones can be very helpful too for dogs that get scared -- most vets sell them.

Sounds like you guys have a great day full of adventures!!

Neither of mine is very reactive to noises. They were both raised from birth in the middle of my breeder's kitchen. Kids coming and going and pots and pans rattling to get them used to noises right off the bat. It worked!

I think it's fantastic that he was exposed to so much and took it all in stride. Brave boy!