One unusually relaxed puppy managed to ignore the noise and respond only to the important thing: snacks.
Noise sensitivity varies wildly from puppy to puppy, which is one reason early exposure and thoughtful observation matter so much.
One summer, during a string of distant fireworks, we kept a careful eye on a litter to see who startled, who recovered, and who needed extra reassurance. Most noticed the sound. A few paused. One puppy, however, slept through the whole thing like a tiny landlord.
What finally woke him was not noise. It was the unmistakable crinkle of a cheese wrapper. He opened one eye, sat up with total conviction, and looked around as if to ask whether anyone intended to share.
The story is funny, but it also says something useful about temperament. Some puppies have naturally easier recovery around sound. Others need more patient confidence-building. Neither type is wrong. The job is to notice, respond appropriately, and avoid pushing puppies past what they can handle.
A laid-back puppy is lovely. A supported sensitive puppy is lovely too. The goal is not sameness. The goal is helping each dog build trust in the world in the way that suits them best.
One summer, during a string of distant fireworks, we kept a careful eye on a litter to see who startled, who recovered, and who needed extra reassurance. Most noticed the sound. A few paused. One puppy, however, slept through the whole thing like a tiny landlord.
What finally woke him was not noise. It was the unmistakable crinkle of a cheese wrapper. He opened one eye, sat up with total conviction, and looked around as if to ask whether anyone intended to share.
The story is funny, but it also says something useful about temperament. Some puppies have naturally easier recovery around sound. Others need more patient confidence-building. Neither type is wrong. The job is to notice, respond appropriately, and avoid pushing puppies past what they can handle.
A laid-back puppy is lovely. A supported sensitive puppy is lovely too. The goal is not sameness. The goal is helping each dog build trust in the world in the way that suits them best.