Dog Community

Vacuum

Posted : 10/4/2006 5:45:19 PM

My otherwise sweet, gentle dog HATES the vacuum. When it's on he growls, barks and tries to bite it. (He actually was successful once and burst the bag! Naughty, but I'll admit, it was kind of funny.)
Jed was a rescue dog, and I'm not sure what his life was like before I got him or if he'd been around vacuums before. We've tried sitting nicely with it off and getting treats while sniffing it, but once it's on, all bets are off. Any suggestions?

Xebby

Posted : 10/4/2006 5:57:44 PM

Why does he have to be out while your using the vaccum? You could put him in anouther room, crate him for the time your cleaning. Have a friend or DH take him for a walk. That high pitch noise has to make him go crazy, it sounds like he's upset about it and just wants you to stop. I would suggest just not trying to get him to like the vaccum instead do what makes him confortable so he doesn't go crazy.

spiritdogs

Posted : 10/4/2006 6:07:27 PM

My sweet Dancer, who went to her eternal rest at the Bridge today, was terrified of the vacuum. It was the only thing in her life that ever scared her. She would bark and bark at it. (I miss her bark already...)
But, guess what? When she was about 15, she went deaf, and for the last 2 1/2 years, I have been able to vacuum with her in the house. Before that, she waited in the barn while I did the floors :-)

) I never thought it was that important an issue to take the time to do the counterconditioning.

recclest

Posted : 10/4/2006 6:33:21 PM

I have been crating him while I vacuum since the bag bite incident. (It's just he and I, so unless the cat learns to walk him, that's out!) I was just hoping I could train him to at least be indifferent to it, if I can't, I can't, but I was just wondering if anyone had advice!
Spiritdogs, I'm so sorry to hear about your friend! My 17yr old border collie mix passed on this summer, and it's so, so hard.

Cazzy

Posted : 10/4/2006 10:34:25 PM

I have a Tzu that hates the vacum..She runs after it..Barks at it..trys to attack it..I dont think she is scared of it..she just dont like it..She will do this every day..*lol*

Timbersmom

Posted : 10/4/2006 11:31:02 PM

Timber always used to attack the vacuum cleaner too. he got used to it after awhile. Lizzy is afraid of it so I just put her outside when I use it.

Eric Mies

Posted : 10/5/2006 11:02:34 AM

Presley's arch enemy is the broom now...

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 10/5/2006 11:06:51 AM

I don't think Max is really scared of the vacuum - he jumps all around it & tries to attack it but scoots out of the way if it's coming right toward him. I think if he was really frightened he's run out of the room and stay out of the way. []

Joyce