Vixen’s Old-fashioned Black and Tan English Shepherd puppies began to spend daytime hours outside yesterday. That was a big step, so we didn’t throw much more than that at them. Today, when we went back outside, we started exposing them to the rural sounds of the farm. At first, these sounds are introduced from a distance. These sounds include a running diesel engine, live rifle fire, lawn mower, and other gas-powered farm maintenance equipment. The pups will receive daily exposure to these and other sounds, moving gradually closer and louder as the days and weeks go by. By the time they go home, our future farm dogs will be ready to work, with confidence and a quick startle recovery reflex.
