NEW VIDEO: Brittany Pups Reactions to Sound Effects

Using the Library of Sounds collection CD (Columbia Rivers 2001) our Brittany pups listen to 101 various, brief sound effects. The original intent for this is to lay a positive foundation for gundog training and to prevent any chance of being gunshy. It also builds confidence in normal day to day experiences. In the beginning a young puppy will react to a loud noise with a startle response and most often return to whatever activity they were enjoying after they initial reaction. As a puppy begins to mature the timing of these noises and new experiences can be very critical based upon the various periods of normal fearfulness. It's really important not to coddle a puppy who does have a negative reaction though, to do so will reinforce the fearful behavior and may cause problems earlier. You want a puppy to be used to all kinds of sounds so that's why we have used this particular sound effect tape. We begin playing it quietly at 3 weeks of age, as pups drift off to sleep. Then we play it during meal time coinciding with banging pans etc. Eventually we play it randomly throughout the day. When it comes time for the Puppy Aptitude Tests they are almost oblivious to the deliberate noises made. Interstingly enough though we have noticed they are much more receptive to our voices. Anyhow! All of this is fun for us and for the pups, just giving us one more reason to love and enjoy them madly! They turn 7 weeks old tomorrow - UNBELIEVABLE to think that they will go to their new homes for the first day of the rest of their lives next week.

If you haven't heard from us it's because we have been crazy busy in a wonderful and enjoyable way and it looks like more of the same. Email and Facebook usually get a response sooner than the telphone (as many of you know!). Don't give up on us, and we hope to have a few more visits for those of you waiting for future puppies while Treasure and Gibson's pups are still here. In the meantime we are just so blessed by the interest in All Things Brittany and appreciate everyone who follows this blog because I do enjoy writing it. Please take care and God Bless you always, John, Ann and our Brittany crew.