It’s no surprise that many dogs are scared of the vacuum cleaner – a large, noisy, and intrusive household appliance.
The easiest way to avoid the problem is to place your pet in another room on cleaning day and give them a toy to keep them distracted.
Turning on the radio or TV can also help mask the noise.
The most effective solution, however, is to train your dog to overcome their fear of the vacuum cleaner.
The website PetMD has listed three steps to help you in this mission:
1. Establish a positive association
First, you’ll need the help of another person and a quiet environment. Ask your helper to bring the vacuum cleaner into the room, keeping it turned off and stationary, while you give your dog some treats. Make sure your pet can see the appliance. Then remove the vacuum cleaner and stop giving treats. Repeat this process several times to help create a positive association.
2. Get your dog used to the vacuum cleaner’s movement
Ask your helper to push the vacuum cleaner (still turned off) forward while you give your dog treats. Stop feeding them when the movement stops. Repeat this step multiple times, moving the appliance slightly closer to your pet with each attempt. Observe their reaction and ensure their body language remains relaxed. If not, it means you’re progressing too quickly. Continue the process until your dog perceives the vacuum cleaner’s movement as normal.
3. Acclimate your dog to the sound of the vacuum cleaner
This is the most challenging stage of the training. Even if the previous steps were successful, it’s a good idea to introduce the sound in a different room and gradually bring the vacuum cleaner closer to your pet. Ask your helper to turn the device on for a few seconds while you give your dog treats. Stop as soon as the noise ends. Monitor whether the sound has disrupted your pet’s progress.
If your dog can’t eat while the vacuum cleaner is running, try moving it farther away or even closing the door. It may take several sessions over a few weeks for your dog to feel comfortable with the noise and movement of the vacuum cleaner. Don’t rush this stage of training.
Successful training
When your dog looks at you with a “where’s my treat?” expression while the vacuum cleaner is running, you’ll know they’re responding well to the training. The goal, of course, is for your pet to remain calm while you actually clean the house, but it will likely take many sessions before your pet reaches this point. With patience and practice, your dog will relax while you do the dirty work.
Illustration: Petepop / Condutta. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
