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
SAFETY TIPS: What To Do When You Encounter A Wolf
In this important video, an expert breaks down wolf behavior and explains what you should do in the event of a wolf encounter in the wild.
How to Support a Healthy Range of Motion: 3 Easy Exercises
Is sitting down and reaching up getting harder? Your range of motion may be declining. Here is how you can improve it and why doing so is essential.
You Already Know - Pets are the Best Comedians!
If you own a pet, you'll probably agree with us in this one - there's nothing quite as effortlessly funny as cats and dogs!
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.
30 Tips That Make Training Your Dog Easier Than Ever
It takes a lot of effort to train your pet. Here are all the secrets you need to know about dog training using positive reinforcement!
Psst! Here Are Some Clothes' Tips Few Know About
These tips will allow you to keep your clothes in as good a condition as new!
50 Ways to Unwind Without Spending a Cent
Here are 50 different ways to help you unwind which are totally free of charge.
10 Hotel Secrets You Should Be Aware of Before Booking
There are numerous tricks of the trade that hoteliers employ to maximize profits. Here are 10 hotel secrets that you must know before booking your next trip.
Enrich Your Knowledge with These Amazingly Useful Charts
Save these useful charts today! We guarantee they will come in handy…
This Handy DIY Project Will Have You Collecting Corks
There are so many useful things you can do with a cork. Start collecting your now!
These Pots and Pans Storage Solutions Are an Absolute Must
If you have a small kitchen or if your cabinet space is limited, then you need to read this.
Life Tips: How to Take Back Control from Unbearable People
Are selfish people driving you up the wall? This handy guide will help you to identify a selfish person, and show you how to effectively deal with them.
Mold Will Be a Thing of the Past With These Home Remedies
Mildew and mold are pesky household invaders. Here are 5 easy ways to get rid of them using just natural household ingredients.
These Easy Fruit Arrangements Are So Refreshing...
A collection of 13 summery delights that will both please the eyes as well as the pallet.
6 Handy Ways to Open a Bottle WITHOUT a Bottle Opener
Want to enjoy your bottle of beer but can't find the bottle opener? Don't worry. Try these clever hacks.
Keep You Bathroom Clean & Tidy with these 15 Tips
These great tricks will help you keep your bathroom clean and your experience in it enjoyable and comfy. Is there a place you need to feel more at your ease? Here are 15 bathroom secrets we'd like to share.
How Can I Make Christmas More Affordable? - 12 Smart Tips
Save money this Christmas with these useful tips and hacks.
These Life Hacks Will Take Good Care of Your Shoes
Whether you're a seasoned collector or just looking to extend the life of your favorite pair, these insights will transform how you care for your footwear.
The One Ingredient in Shampoo that Damages Our Hair...
Most shampoos have at least this one ingredient that might damage your hair - protein.
How to Stop Worrying and End Anxious Thoughts at Night
Are anxious thoughts hindering your sleep every night? Here’s what you can do.
Book Recommendations: 10 of the Best Reads for Dog Lovers
If your best friend is a dog, then you’ll this list of the best book about dogs.
Cowboy Cures: Saddle Up for Immune-Boosting Home Remedies
Watch this video to learn some useful cowboy cures for a healthy life.
Ease Your Neck Pain with This Secret Pressure Point
Looking down at our devices all day can cause pain in your neck. This pressure point can help alleviate it.
Eat Eggs? Keep Those Egg Cartons, They're Very Useful...
Egg cartons can be used for many diverse purposes.
7 Cleaning Mistakes Most of Us Still Make
All of these 7 cleaning mistakes are extremely common, and what’s worse, all of them can completely ruin your hard work while cleaning
This Town Was Built Especially for People with Dementia
This small Dutch village is designed for and entirely populated by residents with dementia and Alzheimers.
Borax Has So Many Uses! Here Are 26 of My Favorite
Did you know about these intriguing uses for Borax?
How to Spot a Liar: A Visual Guide
This video will teach you a few things about telling a liar from an honest person - especially if they are politicians...
A Few Tips for Restoring Order to Your Household
Some of the best home tips
4 Stylish Haircuts that Take Years Off Your Face
Sometimes, all it takes to look years younger is a change in your hair style and color.
Whoa! I Never Knew an Empty Plastic Bottle was So Useful
When you've finished with the contents of a plastic bottle, don't throw the bottle away as it can be used for so many different things.
A Beginner's GUIDE to Sculpting with Clay
This guide will be your comprehensive introduction to the world of sculpting, with a focus on traditional clay modeling.
9 Tips to Keep Your Sweater from Shedding This Winter
Winter is almost here, and it’s time to protect your sweaters from shedding.
I've Discovered Conditioner Has Many Other Talents...
Hair conditioner can do a lot more than just make your hair shiny...
What Causes Large Pores, And What Can You Do About It?
Do you have large pores? This guide will tell you what you need to do to diminish them.
Cream Of Tartar Will Do Wonders For Your Health and Home!
If you've never heard of cream of tartar, you should find out how many different health benefits and uses this wonderful powder has!
Ink Stain Removal Made Easy With 9 Ultimate Home Methods
Don't throw out you ink-stained clothing, instead, try one of these 9 at-home methods of ink removal to revive your garments
Here's How You Can Tell If Someone Is Lying to You
No one likes a liar, but thankfully, if you know how to read body language, you can tell if someone is lying to you.
6 Harmful Types of Mold That Could Be Growing in Your Home
It’s important to identify and prevent these dangerous types of mold in the house.
How to Make an Effective Cough Remedy Using an Orange!
Oranges are a great source of vitamin C that helps strengthen the immune system, but did you know there is a way to make it an effective cough medicine?
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.
Why You Shouldn’t Keep a Bar Soap for More Than 2 Years
The following 10 personal hygiene products all expire sooner than you’d think and you must replace them regularly
Your Toothpaste Can Be More Harmful Than You Think
Stop using toothpaste that fills your body with nasty chemicals, and try making one of these natural versions instead.
Here's One Really Cheap & Easy Way to Clean a Stovetop
Looking for an effortless and cost-effective way of cleaning your stovetop? Then you've come to the right place.
How to Start a Garden on a Windowsill
No green thumb is needed for this simple gardening project.
12 Foods You Must Add to Your Diet in Your 40s and Later
In this article, we’ll focus on 12 foods with proven anti-aging effects that are easy to find in stores and even easier to add into your diet
You Can Do a Lot More With Milk Than Just Drinking It...
Milk is a basic ingredient in any household, but it's a waste to use it just for drinking, when you can put it into many more uses that will make your life easier while also saving you money!