[Mary Beth]

Yes, it will help, if you can take Hondo to meet the workers and he can observe them. When Sting was nearly a year old, the house needed a new roof. Fortunately it was only 3 days, I was able to use vacation days so I was at home with him. But all the same, I took him on his leash to meet the roofers and he watched them. I then walked him to the end of the yard and played fetch with him so he could understand that it was all right for the roofers to be there and his routine (playtime,etc.) would be the same. I also took him out longer to the dam for his morning walks. Inside the house, to block the noise I put fans on and also music. So, it would help if you could Hondo in the bedroom with the TV on. When you are home, when the noise is loud, if you yawn (this is a calming signal) it will help Hondo to get the message that it's okay. This helped Sting. As was suggested, if you can take him somewhere else to give him a breather, that would be helpful. He's been to obedience classes, perhaps, the trainer could "dog sit" or would know of someone. If it isn't too hot, maybe you could move his kennel out to the barn. Poor Hondo- this isn't much fun for him :-(