Vacuuming may not be your favorite task, and it can become all the more grueling if you need to deal with a nervous or terrified dog every time you do it. If the vacuum sends your pet into a tailspin, don’t worry, you are not alone. There are several reasons for the animosity dogs have towards vacuum cleaners. Noise aversion, a dislike for unanticipated loud noises, is common among dogs, which also explains why so many of them hate fireworks and thunderstorms.
Vacuums can seem even scarier to some dogs than fireworks or other loud noises because it's so closeby. Moreover, the vacuum cleaner drifts along the floor erratically, and your dog might not even realize that you’re actually controlling the machine.
“The sudden onset of loud noise and strong vibration will startle most dogs and scare them. Their instinct is to get away from it before it eats them,” veterinarian Dr. Diane Levitan told Reader’s Digest. “It also moves around in a ‘threatening way’ and is often near their beloved pet owner, whom they want to protect.”
No one wants to scare or upset their dog, but of course, to stop using vacuum cleaners altogether isn’t a viable option either. So how can this problem be solved? Here are a few steps you can take to train your dog and stop them from panicking every time you turn the vacuum on.
When the vacuum isn’t in use, place it where the dog can easily see it, rather than a cupboard. Being around the vacuum while it is not making noise should help your pet view the cleaner as something other than a threat.
An important thing to remember is to never place the vacuum where your dog likes to sleep or eat. This can scare them off from those areas, causing further problems.
Move the machine to where your dog is sitting while it’s turned off and allow the dog to take a closer look and smell it. The scent is crucial to animals, and when they are accustomed to the smell of the vacuum, they will naturally relax.
To make the scent more familiar and comforting for the dog, you can rub the dog with a towel and then rub the same towel up, down, and around the vacuum cleaner. If your dog smells himself on the vacuum cleaner, he will be less likely to run from it.
If your dog’s vacuum phobia is so severe that they get tense when you move the machine towards them, you can make them associate the sight of the machine with treats. It has been proven that dogs can be taught to make lasting and valuable habits through associations.
While you slowly roll the machine towards your pet, have a family member or a friend reward him with treats and encouraging words. It might take longer for some dogs to get comfortable with the machine, so it’s important to be consistent and have patience.
Related: Got an Old Dog? Here's How You Can Properly Care For It!
In order to make your four-legged friend comfortable with the noise of the vacuum cleaner, you need to introduce it slowly in conjunction with a reward. This step might require two people, so recruit another family member or a friend.
Start by running the vacuum behind a closed or slightly cracked door that separates your dog from the vacuum. While your friend starts to vacuum, immediately reward your furry pal with a treat and a compliment.
Continue this process occasionally for a few weeks. Once your dog gets comfortable with the muffled sound of the vacuum cleaner, open the door wider and wider, exposing more and more of the vacuum’s full sound each day.
By simultaneously feeding your dog and running the vacuum, you will teach your dog to think of food when he hears the sound of the vacuum. This will reduce his vacuum cleaner fear. Eventually, your dog will get used to the sound.
Share these tips with the dog owners you know
These Record-Breaking Dogs Will Amaze You!
From a dog that's over 3 and a half feet tall to a dog that can ride a scooter at an incredible speed, everything you're about to see is sure to amaze you!
Captured in Motion: The Flight of the...Dog
These photographs are so intense, the dogs in them seem to look you straight in the eye!
Why We Cope With Stress by Avoiding and How to Stop
Do you prefer to spend time on your own or tend to avoid social situations? Here is how to recognize and overcome avoidance behavior.
If You Want Advice, Go to the Animals!
These animals have consented to lend us some of their wisdom. Here are some tips to help you get by...
13 Times Dogs Didn't Know What the Heck was Going On!!
These dogs are so confused it's simply hilarious!
These Round Fluffy Pets Are Just ADORABLE
Every pet is cute in its own way, but you can’t deny that those cats, dogs, and bunnies who are extra round and fluffy are just irresistibly adorable...
Can't Stop Overthinking? This Insightful Guide Is For You
Do you overthink? This guide will help you manage your thoughts better.
Do You Know All 22 Unique Ways to Use Baking Soda?
Baking soda is amazing - Baking soda can help clean grease off floors, freshen your breath, and even relieve insect bites!
7 Proven Techniques for Testing & Fixing Christmas Lights
Test your holiday lights with these easy fixes.
The Smart Weight-Loss Tips No One Ever Told You
These simple daily changes can bring an avalanche of goodness to your body. I'm sure you've never heard at least half of these tips, but each and every one of them will have a small and meaningful effect on your weight loss.
Guide: How to Make a Tasty Fruit Salad In No Time at All...
This video will show you how to quickly chop fruit for those delicious and fresh fruit salads.
Learn to Replace a Bathroom Faucet: Step by Step Tutorial
after watching this step by step video tutorial, you’ll know how to replace a bathroom faucet like a real pro...
Guide: 10 Stunning Hairdos You Can Do Yourself at Home
These simple yet impressive hairstyles will leave you feeling confident and stylish for any occasion.
23 Hacks to Declutter Your Living Space
Before you get rid of items you might regret later, check out these 23 cool organizing hacks for a tidier space.
How to Clean Your Dishwasher's Filter so It's Like New
Learn not only hot to check your dishwasher's filter, but also how to clean it like new!
If You’re Taking Apple Cider Vinegar, You Must Know This
There is a right and wrong way to take apple cider vinegar, and doing so incorrectly may not just be ineffective, it could be harmful to your health.
5 Non-Toxic Ways to Rid Your Home of Mold and Mildew
Mildew and mold are pesky household invaders. Discover 5 easy ways to get rid of them using natural ingredients.
10 Things You SHOULDN'T Store on Top of Your Refrigerator
Learn why these items shouldn't be stored on the top of your fridge.
How to Become Wiser in 6 Simple Steps
Intelligence is something, some say, we are born with. On the other hand, wisdom, which is far more useful, is definitely something one can accumulate over a lifetime. Many search for ways to become wise, but few feel they have really achieved it. Ch
9 Uncommon Ways to Use Oatmeal in Your Home
Oats are so useful outside the kitchen too!
Going Gray? Add These 7 Foods to Your Shopping List!
Adds these foods to your weekly shopping list to prevent your hair from turning gray.
9 Facts You Didn’t Know About In-Flight Food And Drinks
Airplane food is notorious, but since we don't have any other options, the following 9 tips will make the culinary experience that much more enjoyable.
All 11 of These Ordinary Items Have Clever Hidden Features
Not only is it fun to find out the purpose of these secret features, but it’s also quite useful to know them!
Gordon Ramsay Teaches Us How to Cook the Perfect Steak!
One of the world's most famous chefs is going to show you how to cook a steak to utter, mouth-watering perfection.
The Right Way to Fold a Sweater and Keep it Lasting Longer
This guide will teach you exactly how to fold your sweaters.
Choose the SAFE Way to Remove Mold From Your Home
Mold is not only unsightly, it can also be a health risk. Learn how to recognize it and get rid of it with ease.
12 Things Car Thieves Don't Want You to Know...
Every 43 seconds, a car is being stolen in the United States, which is close to one million vehicles a year. These tips could prevent you becoming a victim.
Increase Your Home's Value with These Genius Tricks
Thinking of selling your home? Here's how to increase it's value.
8 Surprising Ways Vinegar Can Help With Pet Care
From being a natural flea remedy to cleaning the aquarium, vinegar proves to be an excellent option for taking care of your pets.
How to Make Sure No Spider Enters Your Home
Tired of 8 legged monstrosities roaming your house? It's time to put a stop to it, the natural way.
14 Little Known Ways to Save on Gas While Driving!
If you take heed of these 14 easy pieces of advice, you will end up saving hundreds of dollars each year on gas.
7 Basic Winter Travel Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
These are the missteps you want to avoid when traveling in the winter.
Stop Wasting Avocados By Learning This Simple Trick
This excellent video will show you the simple way of freezing the quick-decaying avocados so you can enjoy them later.
These Potatoes Will Definitely Make Your Dish Stand Out
Every great dish needs a great side dish to complement it. These Baked-twice potatoes are such a side dish.
Do You Power Nap? If Not, Here's Why You Should!
Nothing beats a good night's sleep, but there are many benefits that arise from taking a short power nap. Here are 6 of them.
Pears Aren't Just Yummy, They're Incredibly Healthy Too
No wonder the ancient Greeks believed pears were a gift from the Gods! There are loads of health benefits contained in these juicy wonders...
Eye Wrinkles Can Be Smoothed. Just Use These Methods...
Although they are often called "laugh lines," eye-wrinkles don't make us smile or laugh. With these 10 natural remedies, you can easily eliminate them.
14 Creative Uses For Old Wire Coat Hangers
Coat Hangers are not just useful for hanging your favorite clothes in the closet, they are handy in so many other ways too!
DIY: 12 Ways to Give Your Plastic Bottles New Life
Recycling is good but did you know there are lots of other things you can do with plastic bottles? Here are 12 ideas for do-it-yourself projects to create masterpieces out of junk.
GUIDE: How to Turn a Towel into a Monkey, Swan or Snake!
If you think you know how to fold towels, you're wrong! This is how you do it. Now you'll see what an art form it really is. These towel animals are ace!
Say Goodbye to Neck and Back Pain with These Super Tips
These top tips from chiropractors will enable you to put back and neck pain firmly in the rearview mirror.
How Observant Are You? Can You Spot What's Wrong Here?
So how's your observational skills and eye for detail? Can you identify what's wrong with this picture? See if you can spot all 21 mistakes.
How to Develop a Green Thumb For Home Plants
The following houseplant cheat sheet summarizes the essentials you need to know about growing your own houseplants.
Are They LIARS? 7 Signs to Look For
A regular person lies to prevent hurting someone's feelings or to protect themselves, but that's not the case when it comes to a compulsive liar...
How to Remove Chocolate Stains from Your Favorite Material
A chocolate stain can be one of the trickiest stains to remove as it’s known as a combination stain. Thankfully, these tips will help!
32 Tips and Tricks for Beginners to Sewing
In the following video, we've carefully curated 32 essential tips and tricks to ease your entry into the world of sewing.
The Psychology of Decision Fatigue and How to Avoid It
Follow these tips to start making smart decisions quickly.