03/06/2026
Why I Spent My Drive to Work Listening to Barking Dogs
(And Ten Things I've Been Reminded Of Since Getting a Puppy)
This morning I listened to barking dogs for 20 minutes while driving to my first client.
They weren't my dogs. I could control the volume without saying a word. The barks were varied, but they weren't communicating anything to me.
What was I doing and why?
The answer is number one in my Top Ten Puppy Training Reminders-
1. Pay Attention to What Your Puppy Pays Attention To
Neeva has heard blenders, machinery, blacksmith forges and so much more without a care in the world.
But this morning she heard a dog bark while she was in her crate in the car and barked herself. I paid attention.
Pulled over, opened the Soundproof Puppy Training app. Voila- barking dogs for the next 20 minutes. Tomorrow? Sirens and smoke alarms.
2. Focus on What's Important
And it's not sit or heel.
It's establishing communication by conditioning your puppy's name and markers, socialisation, crate training, greeting people appropriately (or ignoring them) and starting short separations.
It's stopping the rehearsal of behaviours we don't want.
The other stuff can wait.
3. Permissive Older Dogs Aren't Babysitters
They need your help to manage puppy behaviour so they don't get bullied, frightened or hurt, even if it's unintentional.
4. Use Your Meals
If you're not using at least two meals a day in training instead of giving free food in a bowl, you're probably not doing enough repetitions of the things that are important (see Point 2).
5. Socialise With People Who Are in a Hurry
People who are on their way to catch a train, pick up their kids or get to the football are less likely to stop, so your puppy gets the benefit of seeing lots of people without interacting with them.
6. Play
Play with your puppy.
Play with toys. Play tug. Run and Move (if you can). Play a safe version of fetch (short, straight throws on a surface with good grip).
7. Your Children Can Be Your Allies
Teach them exactly how they can interact with the puppy and reward them when they do it. Focus on what they can do- food throwing games are an ideal start.
8. Integrate Training Into Daily Life
Put treats in your pocket.
Train while you're cleaning your teeth.
Train while you're reading books to your kids.
Train while you're making dinner.
9. A Puppy Is Never Too Young to Learn That Boundaries Exist
I love starting with crate doors and baby gates.
Four paws on the floor = door opens.
Jump or bark = door closes or stays closed.
10. Play. Just in Case You Missed This One.
I can't emphasise this enough.
Play doesn't just drain energy. It isn't just for fun, even though it is incredibly fun.
Play is going to help you teach your puppy how to think when they're aroused.
Without this, you're going to lose control of your pup whenever they're aroused.
And you can't keep a puppy calm forever.
Which puppy raising tip do you think is most important?
