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
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.
12 Mistakes That Could Be Hurting Your Pet
Take note of these harmful mistakes that might be hurting your lovable pet.
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.
Learn the Meaning Behind These Common Dog Behaviors
Why do dogs howl, smile, or eat grass? To better interpret what your dog is trying to say, watch the informative video below.
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!
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.
Brilliant: How to Make a Self-Watering Plant!
How to make your plant water itself, saving you a lot of hassle and meaning you'll never again forget to water them correctly.
15 Differences between Men and Women That Explain a Lot
Discover surprising biological differences between men and women, which can explain many things you thought about both sexes.
Be Warned! This Battery Could Be a Danger to Your Home
If you use 9V batteries, you need to be aware of this vital information.
17 Bad Housekeeping Habits You’re Likely Unaware Of
These 17 housekeeping habits are some of the most undesirable out there.
Avoid These 13 Domestic Chemical Reactions and Be Safe
There are certain chemicals and substances that shouldn't mix together, because the result could be catastrophic. Make note of these 13 combinations now.
Remove Blackheads From Your Skin Using These Sure Methods
Blackheads make our skin look terrible when it can easily look nice. Here are 6 efficient ways to rid yourself of those black dots right at home!
Cucumbers Are Incredibly Versatile: 7 Ways to Use Them
Cucumbers may be nutritious, but they are incredibly versatile too! Here's how you can use cucumbers outside of your salad.
14 Ingenious Organization Hacks to Declutter Your Closet
Here are 14 incredibly clever and easy tips and tricks everyone can master to organize your closet and make it a lot more spacious.
Amazing! How Can One Small Tool be So Useful?
18 brilliant ways to use Command Hooks. These will come in handy in the future.
How Woodworking Can Create Additional Revenue for You
The best woodworking business courses teach everything from basic woodworking techniques to advanced marketing strategies.
6 Ways to Make Your Hands Look and Feel Younger
Give your hands a little TLC with these helpful remedies.
Can’t Fit Anything in the Car? 11 Clever Car Cleaning Tips
Tired of not being able to fit your groceries into the car? With these 11 car organization tips, your car will always look neat and free of clutter.
Easily Create These 8 Natural Sprays
Eight wonderful recipes to make eight natural sprays that can make your life easier and healthier.
I Use Grandma's Old Trick for Cleaning Copper Pots
This is how to easily clean your copper pots.
9 Tips to Ensure You Drink Enough Healthy Water Every Day!
Water is so important for our health it's hard to overstate. But most people find it rather dull. So, here are some tips to make sure you get enough.
Keep Your Garbage Disposal Clean with This Neat Trick
If your sink's garbage disposal has started to smell, this is how you can eradicate it.
The 6 Most Common Mattress Shopping Mistakes You’re Making
Planning on buying a new mattress? Do keep these tips in mind.
Spruce Up Your Dinner Table With These Napkin Techniques
Holidays are always a time of cheer. Spruce up your dining table with these 8 easy-to-try napkin techniques.
Who Knew Duct Tape Prevents Blisters & Has All These Uses!
Is any one object more multitasking than duct tape? We really doubt that, and here are just 18 genius ways you can start using it right away
Save More Time in the Kitchen with These Gadgets & Hacks
28 kitchen hacks and gadgets that will save you time in the kitchen.
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!
15 Golden Tips to Start Living a Better, Happier Life...
These 15 little tips sound like small things, but they can make your life that much better.
5 Incredible Secrets 5-Star Hotels Use to Do the Laundry
Achieve outstanding results with these incredible laundry tips
The Right Way to Fold a Sweater and Keep it Lasting Longer
This guide will teach you exactly how to fold your sweaters.
Body Language Guide: 17 Mistakes We All Make
We give ourselves away all the time. Learn the common body language mistakes we all do so you can protect your inner thoughts.
This is How You Should Be Storing Your Groceries!
This fantastic guide will help you store all your groceries in the smartest way possible.
10 Products You Should Never Consume on a Plane
Eating on a plane is fine, but there are actually certain food and drinks that you should avoid consuming while flying. Here are 10 of them!
Do You Know When to Go to Bed? Just Follow Our Tips
A great way to boost your health is to make sure you are getting enough sleep. Here are 10 bedtime rituals that are sure to get you in the mood to sleep.
Should You Choose or Avoid Copper Pans?
Copper is a great antibacterial metal. Why then don't we all cook in it? This video will help you decide.
Get Rid of Your Dog's Worms Using These 10 Home Remedies
At some point in their lives, most dogs will suffer from intestinal worms. Should this happen to your dog, here are 10 home remedies to help deworm them.
7 AARP Benefits Every Senior Should Take Advantage Of
Have an AAARP membership? You may not know of these little-known benefits.
GUIDE: Are You Feeding Your Cat Right?
To help cat owners with this task, we've created a guide on the recommended daily amount and type of food to feed their cats.
7 Proven Techniques for Testing & Fixing Christmas Lights
Test your holiday lights with these easy fixes.
10 Tips for Cleaning With Salt - Number 8 is My Favorite..
Salt can be found in every home, but besides for cooking, it is efficient and useful for cleaning. Here are 10 effective ways to use salt for cleaning.
Why Didn't I Think of That? 10 Great Kitchen Tricks!
Lifestyle hack videos are great, because they teach us things that we wish we'd thought of ourselves. Watch this video now to learn 10 awesome lifestyle hacks.
These Are The Financial Secrets of This Billionaire
When it comes to making money, you have to listen to men like Warren Buffet - they really know what they are talking about.
Here Is the Secret For Making the Perfect Hamburger
This video is for those of you who are hamburger enthusiasts and want to learn everything there is to know about making a savory burger.
Share in Some Great Ideas for In-Door Plants and Gardening
in this video, we will teach you several great hacks to increase the well-being of both your indoor and outdoor plants.
15 Surprising Uses of Potatoes Outside the Cooking Pot
Potatoes are a great staple of many food dishes around the world, but they also have many uses outside of the kitchen. These will surprise you!
8 Running Mistakes Most of Us Make
Just because you think you know how to run doesn’t mean that you’re doing it correctly – or effectively. Here are 8 mistakes people make when running.
An Easy Guide to Preventing and Treating Wrinkles
A simple guide to understanding, preventing and treating wrinkles, plus 2 recipes for anti-aging face masks. Take a look!