I have always taken my puppies out of their own environment to experience new things and sounds. We live on a main road, so one thing I do is to take them with us when we go north and go to the gravel pits to sight in the hunting rifles (no flames please). I keep them a safe distance away, out of harms way, and let my husband go to work at sighting in his guns. The dogs at first are startled but then relax and by the time the second day has rolled around of this they are comfortable with the sound. The main reason for this is we have a lot of trucks that go by and at least once a day we have blow outs that occur, which obviously sound like a gun going off. I had one dog I did not do this with and he freaked every time this would happen, so I make it common practice now to get them used to this noise. I take them everywhere with me to get them accustomed to strange people and surroundings, noises they will eventually hear in life and to make sure they are well adjusted all the way around.
I take them shopping when I go to get dog shampoos, treats, toys and just for plain fun. I used to walk into our local drug store with Dillon (they did allow me this courtesy) and pick up one of his diarrhea meds. There are many places my dogs have been allowed into without problem and the socialization has been great for them. I start this a day or two after they come home, usually at 8 weeks of age or so. Also going to an obedience class with other dogs helps as well. It does help to get them out into the world to experience all of these things, what you will find is that after putting so much effort into socializing your puppy, you will generally have a well adjusted dog. Just things I have experienced with my dogs. By the way Hope loves to go hunting with dad and doesn't mind the sound of the rifles at all. Matter of fact when she hears it, she is at the door waiting to go with dad into the woods. Kelly Weir and Hope (who said berner's couldn't hunt!) http://home.twmi.rr.com/skylinebmd/index.html/hopeindex.htm
