How to train a dog not to be afraid of a vacuum cleaner

Many dog ​​owners have faced the problem when their pets are afraid of the vacuum cleaner. During cleaning, the pet may start to whine, run away, or vice versa – throw itself on the vacuum cleaner, “defending” it.

Cynologists advise accustoming a pet to a vacuum cleaner gradually. Experts gave some tips on how to wean a dog to be afraid.

“First, take the vacuum cleaner into the room, but do not turn it on. Let your pet sniff it, making sure it is not dangerous. Praise and encourage any manifestation of initiative. If the pet immediately runs away to another room, wait for it to return so that you can look at it from a safe distance. Then take the vacuum cleaner in your hands and start slowly moving around the room, simulating cleaning, but not turning it on. The dog will understand that he can move,” explained Vladimir Golubev, President of the Russian Cynological Federation.

Next, you need to accustom the animal to the sound of a vacuum cleaner, because it is very noisy and for a dog this sound can become frightening.

In order for the pet to get used to it, do the following – move away from the pet at a comfortable distance for him and turn on the vacuum cleaner. If the dog immediately runs away, turn off and repeat all previous steps again. For every calm reaction, praise and encourage your pet.

So the dog will get used to the vacuum cleaner and stop responding to it.

There are several explanations for this reaction in dogs to a vacuum cleaner. For example, if someone jokingly decided to scare her with a vacuum cleaner or the vacuum cleaner “offended” the dog and a hose fell on it.

“There are quite a few dogs who suffer from the sound of fireworks, gunshots, thunderstorms or a vacuum cleaner. It is interesting that the same animal can react sharply to the sounds of a vacuum cleaner, but at the same time react absolutely calmly to the loud sound of an exploding salute or thunderstorm, ”the expert concluded.

Olga Bakhareva.

Author’s photo