CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Behaviour & Training => Topic started by: JeffD on August 21, 2012, 12:50:20 PM
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Hi to all I am Jeff a new member to this forum who is anticipating the arrival of our new puppy at the end of this week.
I have trained dogs to the gun in the past when we lived in north east Scotland with no problem gradually introducing noise and bangs over a few months when my dogs were puppies.
My problem is I now live in North West London and we are fast approaching firework season which tends to go on every night for 2 months in this area.
Although I will try to shield as much noise from her as possible there are going to be some very loud bangs my worry is our new puppy will be gun shy before I can even start her training.
Any advice will be welcomed.
Thanks
jeff
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I think you can buy a CD to help get them used to it - sure there must be something on Ebay.
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Hi Jeff,
Congratulations on your new pup. We got "Clix Noises & sounds CD' off Amazon. It has a whole host of noises and you play it quietly in the background when a young pup, gradually increasing the volume over time. It supposedly socialises them to the noises e.g. fireworks, guns etc. I have to say it worked for us (well I think it has as Florence has no worry about fireworks, thunder, guns etc etc) which are all on the CD but she didn't hear for real until she was a few months old. My dog trainer said that they can become habituated to the specific sounds on the CD's so she actually just plays clips from Youtube of fireworks displays etc. as these are more randomised (and obviously is free!)
Good luck with your new pup :luv:
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there are many many threads on fireworks - here's one for you to go on with ;)
http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=77824.0 (http://www.cockersonline.co.uk/discuss/index.php?topic=77824.0)
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To be honest I had completely forgotten about fireworks until two went off last night. I just have so little time to get the pup used to bangs; chances are they will be the odd ones every night from now until the end of November.
I will do the normal loud telly, radio and being as noisy as I can without scaring her when feeding and hope she will be a bit more accustomed to noise before October when it starts to get really bad.
I just hate to rush this stage as it can take an age to correct once a pup has been scared.
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Obviously my (mutt n) Jeff isn't affected by fireworks at all, and Annie has never really noticed them much either. I just assumed that as she is a gun dog breed it's sort of in-built not to be scared of bangs :dunno:
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South West London Here - Yes Diwali kicks off here pretty early too, my two have never been bothered by fireworks - even take them to the local display on the common and they don't bat an eyelid. Have taken them on a clay pidgeon shoot too - more interested in the hog roast to be honest, but perhaps we were just lucky ;)
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We purchased this (see link below) and played daily to willow starting off quietly and increasing the noise.
http://www.thepuppyschool.co.uk/acatalog/Sounds_for_Life_CD.html
We always played it when she was busy playing and she was fine. When the fireworks started she often looked up but didnt appear to fret. Although we did play it over a few months and I know you dont have this long!! I would get one and play it daily in any case. :D
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Thanks for all of your suggestions this is a great forum, The pup is comming from a long line of working dogs so I will keep my fingers crossed and some tasty treats ready to take her mind off the bangs.
We had to have our old Cocker PTS 10 months ago and it broke our hearts, I must be getting really soft in my old age.
I am so looking forward to the new pup. The house is just not the same without a dog. My wife retired from work last week so we are now able to get a pup
I might change my mind when I have to start the middle of the night pee's and poo's though lol
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Jeff D all the sleepless nights and pee's and poops in the night will all be worth it in the end ;)