Does your dog run and cower when you take the vacuum out? Or maybe he rushes in and barks at the leg? The vacuum cleaner is one of those sounds that dogs hate. Professional dog trainer Marj Ediger explains why dogs are afraid of vacuums and what to do about it.
Why are dogs afraid of vacuum cleaners?
The vacuum cleaner makes a loud noise, has a strange smell and is a large moving object inside a dog’s house, explains Marji, which is why dogs bark at the vacuum cleaner, Marji explains. If you think vacuum is noisy, imagine being a dog. They hear high pitches that humans can’t hear, coming from vacuum cleaners and other noisy devices. Their barking or cowering is one fear reaction. In fact, this Research UC Davis found that sudden, loud noises were the leading cause of fearful behavior in dogs.
For some dogs, the unpredictability of their legs not moving can fuel their herding tendencies.
What can you do to prevent your dog from getting scared or barking while vacuuming?
Marj says desensitization is key. That’s easier with a puppy, but not impossible with an adult dog. Here are Marj’s tips to help your dog get used to the vacuum:
- Start by placing the vacuum in the center of the room, unplugged, at a comfortable distance from the dog. Treat the dog when it doesn’t respond.
- Move the vacuum back and forth slowly, still unplugging it. Give your dog another treatment with no response.
- Once your dog is comfortable with this, start vacuuming in another room. Come back and treat, treat, treat. Let’s turn it into a capsule party!
- Slowly open the door and if the dog is ready – do not react – perform the Hansel and Gretel method of throwing the treat in the direction of the vacuum. If your dog’s body language shows fear – drooping ears, drooping tail, etc – then take a step back and don’t push him.
- If your dog is older and has an ingrained fear of vacuum cleaners, let him relax in another room or even outside. The key here is not to let him practice any more reactive activity.
- If the sound of the vacuum, even in another room, is too loud, find vacuum sounds online and play them at low volume. As your dog gets used to the sound, increase the volume gradually.
Since noise is often the main reason dogs don’t like vacuums, The vacuum cleaner is quieter can help.
Other Sounds Dog Hate
Dogs can not only hear higher pitches than we do, but also lower decibels, so they often hear things we can’t. Anything we think is noisy is a dog piercing its ears. Other sounds dogs hate include:
- Fireworks
- Blender
- lawn mower
- Large delivery truck.
Use Marj’s vacuum tips to make your dog less sensitive to other noises in his environment.
While it’s important to get your dog used to the noises of everyday life, remember that part of the reason our four-legged best friends hate vacuums is because they’re too noisy, causing problems. ear hurt. If possible, keep the dog out of the room where you are vacuuming or using other noisy equipment. This will help reduce your dog’s hearing and make them a happier housemate!
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