fireworks..?

[Anita11811]

my 5 month old GSD is very socialized and is training to go into the "good citizens test" So he has to be around loud noises. From a puppy he has never been scared of thunder storms and even slept through them if he was out side. I was planning on taking him to the fireworks, but i want to hear some opinions on this. Whether it be that its too loud, Its not good, Or that you do it too, i want to know a little more and see if the loud noise can potentially harm him.

[Tbarrios333]

When I got my first puppy it was around the 4th of July as well. I was debating wether or not to take her to the beach to go watch them. The fireworks are way louder than thunder so it may startle them a bit.
My pup was slightly overwhelmed. She wasn't scarred though, but it does hurt the ears if you sit really close. I figure if it hurts mine, I can't imagine what it does to them.

[RazinKain]

very small font causes strain to my aging eyes. Try popping a few small ones at your house beforehand, to see if your dog reacts negatively to them. It would make for a short disappointing show if your dog reacted to them and you had to leave because of it.

[Mom2Shaman]

I don't think I would choose fireworks. They really are scary, loud, bright. If you do, have a leash on a collar, leash on a harness, and 75 forms of ID on the dog. The Fourth is the biggest intake of animals in shelters. We even have local groups patrolling and having a special holding area to help find those spooked by fireworks.

[gsdraven]

Originally Posted by RazinKain

Try popping a few small ones at your house beforehand, to see if your dog reacts negatively to them.

I did this with Raven as a pup and she can now be right up front and just watches them.

If you are going to take your pup. I'd stay as far away as you can and not start off right up front. Remember that their is hearing is much better than ours so the fireworks are much louder to them and may hurt their ears more.

[Lucy Dog]

I say, why not. As long as your pup isn't afraid, it's just another way of socializing. Go for it.

On Fathers day weekend I had some family over and a bunch of extra fireworks just laying around. Lucy definitely enjoyed the show... fireworks don't phase her at all.

[doggiedad]

i thinking you shouldn't take him to the fire works
and if you do stay far away from them. what's the
good citizens test and what loud noise do they have to be exposed to????

[doggiedad]

i do say Watson, what does this mean???

Originally Posted by Tbarrios333

When I got my first puppy it was around the 4th of July as well. I was debating wether or not to take her to the beach to go watch them. The fireworks are way louder than thunder so it may startle them a bit.

>>>>>My pup was slightly overwhelmed. She wasn't scarred though,<<<<<

but it does hurt the ears if you sit really close. I figure if it hurts mine, I can't imagine what it does to them.

[onyx'girl]

I remember we were camping and of course had Stomper with us on the 4th holiday.
We went to the fireworks display on Lake Michigan(just down the beach from where we camped) and it was packed with people. He was about 6 months old.
A storm came in fast over the lake causing a huge surge of people running for cover in the middle of the display.
Stomper handled it better than I did, but I vowed not to put him thru that again. He was never afraid of storms, but you get the crowd mentality with the party atmosphere and never know what may arise. All I could think of was the "what ifs" ...what if he got out of his collar or slipped from my grasp. It was scary for me, not so much him!

I guess you need to know your dogs threshold for situations with lots of people and noise in the dark. Of course you'll also have children wanting to pet, and that can be overwhelming, too for some dogs.

[RazinKain]

Originally Posted by onyx'girl

I remember we were camping and of course had Stomper with us on the 4th holiday.
We went to the fireworks display on Lake Michigan(just down the beach from where we camped) and it was packed with people. He was about 6 months old.
A storm came in fast over the lake causing a huge surge of people running for cover in the middle of the display.
Stomper handled it better than I did, but I vowed not to put him thru that again. He was never afraid of storms, but you get the crowd mentality with the party atmosphere and never know what may arise. All I could think of was the "what ifs" ...what if he got out of his collar or slipped from my grasp. It was scary for me, not so much him!

I guess you need to know your dogs threshold for situations with lots of people and noise in the dark. Of course you'll also have children wanting to pet, and that can be overwhelming, too for some dogs.

This will definately happen.