Some sound effects (thunder, gunshots, fireworks and all kinds of other intersting sounds),
http://www.therecordist.com/pages/downloads.html

A very close strike can stress even the most stable of nerves. When you just hear a hiss, see a flash then a sharp bang, you know you just got missed.

It's hard for a recording to match the real thing though. A gunshot, explosion or similar sound goes through sharp sound pressure peaks that even the most sophisticated stereo and speakers are hard-pressed to match. They also throw off sounds beyond our hearing range (but not the dog's).

I just kinda figure they have enough sense to get out of weather that could potentially kill or maim them/you. My brother was struck by lightening many years ago. He was okay but was left with an irregular heartbeat. Made a believer out of me.

I, too, think it is more than the noise. One of mine isn't afraid of fireworks or gunshot, but starts hunting a hole when severe thunderstorms are 20 miles away.

I have also thought that perhaps way back in the day when our working dogs lived and worked with farmers "Ole Sally" was probably a pretty good dog when she "warned" farmer Jones that bad weather was coming....gave him time to attend to things that needed to be put away. So when Sally had puppies the one that was a good weather forecaster was considered a keeper. JMHO

I do agree with you Howard....I wouldn't want my PSD to have noise issues of any kind. When you've got a job to do, you've got a job to do and as a PSD handler I wouldn't want to be dealing with scared dog, for many reasons.

Glad the pup made it home safe and sound.

Just a question...kinda off topic...
if a dog is in the outside kennel, and there is lightning, does the kennel pose a hazard to the dog? Should it be grounded and how do you ground a kennel?

Back to the topic...

 Quote: Jo Harker

Just a question...kinda off topic...
if a dog is in the outside kennel, and there is lightning, does the kennel pose a hazard to the dog? Should it be grounded and how do you ground a kennel?

Back to the topic...

Good question, I really have never given it much thought. I've been around dogs in kennels for more years than I care to think about, and it's never been a problem. Still a good question.

Just for the record, I agree with Howard as well when it comes to a PSD. I figure if it's a drug dog, I'm not going to work in a thunderstorm anyway, ha ha.

DFrost

I've seen 3 dogs in my K9 unit afraid of thunder . All 3 were very strong dogs other then that . No issues with gunfire . All could overcome their fear of thunder when called upon to do PSD work . Their drive to work overcame their fear .

My first PSD , VERY STRONG K9 was afraid of fireworks . He once dove through my screen door and hid in my basement while some bottle rockets went off in the neighborhood . When I worked him on the street he had no problems at all . I had many successful tracks through crowded urban neighborhoods some ending in the dog having to engage the a violent suspect , where it looked like WWIII was going down from all the fireworks .

From my experiance a K9 can be tolerant to gunfire yet have issues with fireworks and/or thunder . Plus PSD's when at home relaxing can have issues with noises they wouldn't have while on the job .

I don't know what dogs hear but to even my poor old rock and roll shot ears there's a distinct difference in the sound of fireworks, thunder, backfires, etc and gun fire.

Thunder storms though is a different thing all together. It's been speculated that dogs are much more sensitive to the flow of electrons and the inbalance that results. Thats why so many seek the 'shelter' of the bathtub. The grounded fixture helps drain away the extras the body is carrying. A sort of balancing act you might say so thats where they 'feel' comfortable.
I don't think dogs fear thunder storms so much as they just feel uncomfortable then you get all these loud noises that go with them. Whats a poor dog to do?

Randy