How long does it take for your puppy to settle city life?

[Snwong]

My 3 month old sheltie is really sensitive to all the noise in the city.

I try to walk him on a quite time (for example 5:30 am...) to get him use to it. Today when we were walking, my neightbour sudden turn on his lawn machine!! My sheltie start peeing while he is running away~

I feel soo sorry for him and I feel like i'm such a bad mom~~

I just wanna know how long does it take your sheltie to settle down all this noise, I just need some mental support....

 

[Chris]

You might try walking with him in your arms as well as letting him walk. I did that with Layla when she was little -- it really helps.

You're not a bad Mom -- honest! Just scoop him up and keep walking as if there's nothing big going on. When he relaxes, put him back down. No fuss, just matter of fact.

 

[jerros]

Carrying your pup around is definately a good idea. They also make CD's with sounds on them that you can use to help socialize your pup.

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB748

The idea with these is to get a CD player and begin playing the cd at low volumes at first then play with your pup and feed him. Gradually over time turn the volume up and repeat the play/feed process. It should help desensitize your dog to some of the more common sounds like thunder, sirens, leaf blowers ect.

My pup got a fright while walking the otherday when a police officer turned his siren on right in front of him. He took off like a bat out of....well you know to the safest location and away from the sound.

 

[Diana]

My Sheltie is still getting used to the city and she's almost 11 months old. She is loads better than she was at 3 months though.

I think that by nature many Shelties are noise-sensitive. As herding dogs I imagine that was an advantage. I did what Chris suggests and scooped her up occasionally. That is one way to tour the city. She was a bit more comfortable being introduced to my sounds and sights if she was in my arms.

I also walked her at quiet times like you mentioned. Sometimes we would just sit on a bench and watch the world go by. I talk to her when she's scared, and sometimes I pet her, hold her in my lap, or keep her by me. I don't fuss over her and try to keep calm.

The key is to keep her threshold low. My Sheltie is an old pro if it's early in the morning, a quiet to moderate afternoon, or a regular summer evening. She can handle each noise individually (busses, trucks, trains, car horns, motorcycles, garbage trucks, crowds of people, flags) but put 3 or more together and she does get scared. Also, wind freaks her out for some reason.

Your puppy is in a fear stage right now so some of this will get better. However, you want to (a) keep it at a bearable level for now so he doesn't get traumutized and (b) expose him at that level regularly. After a lot of exposure I have noticed a huge difference in Buffy's tolerance level and reactivity. It does take work but I'm sure he will be fine. Good luck!