Training Your Dog Not to Be Scared of the Vacuum
If your dog has behaved erratically around a vacuum, there are steps you can take to make your dog more comfortable around it. According to Russell Hartstein, CDBC, CPDT-KA, and founder of Fun Paw Care, LLC, this would involve associating positive reinforcement with turning on the vacuum. “You would desensitize and counter-condition (D/CC) a dog to a vacuum if they are scared of it,” he says.
Coppola suggests incorporating play into desensitizing your dog and working with your dog at an early age.
“The prime time to expose a dog to something new is during [the] socialization period, [which is approximately] three weeks to three to four months of age, depending on individual and breed,” she says. “During this socialization period, dogs are most accepting of new stimuli (and social partners). A great way to introduce the vacuum is to start with the simple presence of the vacuum in the room while you engage the dog in something fun. Ideally [you’d use] play, but [you can also use] fun training and/or high value treats.”
Remember that if your dog shows signs of being uncomfortable, then you need to reduce the intensity of the stimulus, which is the vacuum, says Coppola. “Move farther away, stop moving, muffle the sound, turn [it] off, etc. And then continue to play at the intensity the dog was comfortable.”
Desensitize Your Dog to the Trigger
This just means getting your four-footer used to the vacuum (or whatever your pooch is afraid of), very, very slowly. The goal is to proceed so slowly that she never reacts fearfully.
The best way to desensitize to the vacuum is to break it down into manageable steps. For example:
This also goes for the sound alone.
If you live in an apartment and you’re unable to have the vacuum on and have the volume still be low enough that it’s tolerable for your dog, check out YouTube.
Type in a quick “vacuum cleaner sounds” search, and you’ll find just what you need. Play it at a very low level, and slowly increase the volume over time.
You could also try DogTV — they have special desensitization programs designed to address exactly these types of problems.
Try to desensitize your dog like this in short increments, a few times every day. Only doing this once a week is likely not enough exposure to get to the next step in this lifetime.
If your dog has been terrified of the sound of the vacuum for 10 years, it may take some time and patients!
Drooling and Yawning
Dogs sometimes drool when they’re stressed. If you notice your dog yawning and drooling excessively whenever you start vacuuming, it may be a sign of nervousness (4).
Dogs urinate when they’re excited, when they’re marking territory or when answering the call of nature. However, there is a problem when a well-trained dog urinates at an inappropriate moment.
Submissive urination occurs when the dog feels anxious or acknowledges a more dominant figure. This is usually a sign that the dog poses no threat to its supposed aggressor.
The loud noise from a running vacuum cleaner can result in this type of urination. Dogs may release small amounts of pee or a large puddle around the house. If you come across this, it may indicate that they’re scared of the vacuum.
Why is My Dog Scared of the Vacuum Cleaner? | PETS | Great Home Ideas
Many dogs are naturally afraid of vacuums, just like they may be afraid of thunderstorms. The machine makes a high-frequency noise that can hurt your dogs ears or cause a great deal of distress. Keep in mind that dogs can hear at much higher pitches than the average human ear, which can increase that fear. Over time, even the presence of the vacuum when it is turned off and making no sound can induce your dog to bark.
Do you find yourself wondering, “Why is my dog afraid of the vacuum?” Are you looking for strategies that will help you vacuum in peace? Read on to learn more.