Our two pups did just fine - they were both settled in their crates starting about 7:30PM because I knew that all the neighbors would be shooting off the really big stuff as soon as it was dark and it would last until at least 11PM.

I turned on the radio on top of Nickie's crate and that helped to muffle some of the big "booms". Not even once did either one of them bark or even bat an eyelash! I was really pleased! Back on New Year's Day when Nickie was only 4 months old, I was walking him in our neighborhood and some fool was shooting a gun close by (about 8 shots real close together). Nickie just turned his head to the direction of the shots and kept walking!

I wasn't too sure how Roxie would react since we don't know too much about her background. She gets very nervous out in our backyard if the dogs on either side of our property are out (she can't see them because of the block wall but if they bark or if she detects their scent in the air, she gets very aggressive). However, she was perfectly content in her crate last night while it sounded like a war zone outside!

My female, CeeCee, actually came out of her normal "loud noise hidey-hole" and laid next to my feet or my husband's feet. She trembled and panted, but she came out in the open to do it. That's very good for her. She's been terrified of thunderstorms, fireworks and gunfire since forever. Little Harley, our male could care less about fireworks. He completely ignored them. Of course, they were down the road from us and not right next door. But he's not spooked by loud noises in general.

All of Riverside County has outlawed fireworks (even safe-n-sane), it sucks

Starbuck did fine, but we didn't have too much "action" close to the house. She ran around the back yard while we sat outside for about 45 minutes watching a display in the valley.

I feel for you Alex. My last shepherd sat right next to us for several years while we set off fireworks in the street. She was not bothered by them at all. When she was about 8 years old all of a sudden she could not stand them any more. Some kid would light off a bottle rocket down the street and she was ready to come through the sliding glass door. Anything that had a whistle and a pop (Bottle Rockets or Piccolo Peets) drove her nuts. She never got over that fear, so for New Years and the 4th of July I would just make sure she was inside with the TV on loud.

Thanks Natalya!

She IS a good pup. I remember reading about the fear stage. That could be it. Although, I once came accross an article or a podcast that Ed has where *I think* he says, fear stages don't really exist??? I haven't been able to find the info again, but what do you guys think of that? Should I try to desensitize her more by slowly introducing similar sounds? The person I got her from said, the sire is terrified of fireworks & thunder. Do you think that has anything to do with her fear?

Thanks for the post Keith. This is my first dog, so this is new for me as well. Did you try to work with your GSD? I wonder what could've caused that change in behavior?

Edited by Alex Corral (07/06/2007 11:37 AM)
Edit reason: Extra comment

It didn't happen enough for me to worry about it.