Helping Cavoodle Stay Calm During Fireworks & Storms

Xmas and New Year is the perfect time to get in lots of extra cavoodle cuddles as many of us take a well deserved break. I love getting quality time with my girls Bambi & Daisy but come storm season or New Year’s Eve, your happy-go-lucky cavoodle might suddenly transform into a trembling, anxious mess. Loud noises like fireworks and thunderstorms are a common fear so understanding why they react this way, what signs to look for, and how to help them cope can make these noisy nights a lot easier for both of you.

Why Cavoodles Get Scared of Fireworks and Storms

Cavoodles are naturally sensitive and people-oriented dogs. This makes them wonderful companions but also more prone to anxiety.

This is why they might react strongly to fireworks and storms:

• Noise sensitivity: Fireworks and thunder produce loud, unpredictable sounds that can feel overwhelming to a dog’s sensitive hearing.
  

• Vibration sensitivity: Thunder and fireworks produce low-frequency vibrations that dogs can feel through the ground, adding to their fear.
  

• Lack of control: Dogs don’t understand where the noise is coming from or why it’s happening, so it can feel like a threat they can’t escape.
  

• Past experiences: If a Cavoodle has had a scary encounter with fireworks or a storm in the past, they may develop a learned fear that resurfaces every time.
  
  

Signs Your Cavoodle Is Scared or Anxious

Cavoodles can be very expressive, so watch for these common signs of fear:

• Shaking or trembling
  

• Panting excessively even though they’re not hot
  

• Pacing or restlessness
  

• Hiding under furniture or in closets
  

• Clinging to you or following you closely
  

• Whining, barking, or howling
  

• Accidents inside even if they’re normally house-trained
  

• Dilated pupils or wide eyes
  
  

Knowing the signs early can help you act quickly to calm them down before their fear escalates

How to Help Your Cavoodle Through Fireworks and Storms

Luckily, there are many ways you can support your Cavoodle when the sky lights up or the thunder rolls. Most just involved a little bit of care and preparation and we all want our precious oodles to be calm and happy so try these ideas.

• Create a Safe Space: Set up a cozy den where they can retreat during storms or fireworks. This could be a crate with a soft bed, a quiet room, or even a bathroom where the noise is muffled. Covering the crate with a blanket can help them feel secure.
  

• Drown Out the Noise: Play calming music, white noise, or even the TV to help mask the scary sounds. Classical music or special “dog-calming” playlists can work wonders.
  

• Stay Calm Yourself: Dogs look to their owners for reassurance. If you act stressed or anxious, they’ll pick up on it. Speak to them in a calm, gentle voice and avoid over-comforting as this can accidentally reinforce their fear.
  

• Use Anxiety Aids: Consider products like Thundershirts (snug-fitting jackets that provide a calming effect), pheromone diffusers, or natural supplements designed for canine anxiety. Speak to your vet before starting anything new.
  

• Practice Desensitisation: For long-term help, you can gradually desensitise your Cavoodle to loud noises by playing firework or thunder recordings at a low volume while rewarding calm behaviour. Slowly increase the volume over time. This process works best when done well before storm season or events like New Year’s Eve.
  

• Exercise Beforehand: A tired dog is a calmer dog. If you know fireworks are coming, give your Cavoodle a good walk or play session earlier in the day so they’re more relaxed at night.
  

• Talk to Your Vet: For dogs with severe anxiety, your vet may recommend short-term anxiety medication for big events like fireworks nights.
  
  

Cavoodles may be small, but their fears during fireworks and storms can feel very big. By recognising the signs of anxiety early and taking proactive steps to help, you can turn a scary night into a manageable one.