Sounds
Introduce new sounds at a quiet level, such as running the vacuum in another room with the door closed or playing the sounds of thunder or fireworks at a very low volume while your puppy eats a meal. Gradually increase the sound level as your puppy's comfort with the noise increases.
- Vacuum cleaner
- Dishwasher or washing machine
- Thunder
- Gunshots
- Animal sounds
- Traffic noises
- Sirens
- Music
- Household tool use (kitchen mixer, blow dryer)
- Construction noise
Handling
- Baths
- All body parts touched and examined, including sensitive areas like paws, nails, ears, tail, tummy, eyes and mouth
- Being comfortable with various items they may wear, such as clothes, harness, head halter and collar
- Grooming, including being brushed, clipped or having the nails trimmed
- Being held in a variety of manners, including while standing or sitting
- Being loomed over, being given eye contact, being petted in ways that may happen later in life, such as being hugged or patted
Situations
- Veterinary office
- Being crated
- Being left alone for short amounts of time
- Car rides
- Groomer
- Dog class or dog group
- Getting a picture taken
- Playing with a variety of toys
- Walks both in the neighborhood and on busier streets with a variety of people
- Joggers and bicyclists passing
- Being taken to rural areas, such as the mountains or a field
- Shopping carts, strollers, motorcycles or other objects that move
- Going outside in different weather conditions, including rain or wind
- City situations, such as automatic doors, outdoor cafes and airports
- Visitors at the house
- Walking on various surfaces, including grass, cement, tile, sand, mud, snow, ice and stairs
