The quickest way to get my dog off the couch is to turn on the vacuum cleaner. Then she is on her feet quicker than I ever see her fat butt move otherwise, and she’s skittering across the carpet like it’s on fire. Dogs and their distate (or outright fear) of the vacuum is no new news, but it can be annoying, and really stress out your poor dog. Here are a few ways to get your dog used to the vacuum.
Don’t chase your dog with the vacuum. In fact, vacuum everywhere your dog is not at, then vacuum areas your dog has been as he migrates trying to avoid you. If you chase your dog with the vacuum (and by chase I also mean follow as you vacuum) your dog’s fear of the vacuum itself will further increase.
Try turning the vacuum on in another room. One of the main reasons dogs hate vacuums is the noise of the beast. It’s why I hate them. I turn on my vacuum in a bedroom if my dog is in the living room, so she isn’t blasted with the noise and sight straight off. Her fear of the vacuum almost disappears if I start it in another room.
Don’t make your dog stay inside with the vacuum when it’s on. My dog will most likely want to be outside when the vacuum is on, so I let her out while I vacuum. No persuasion required; normally as soon as the vacuum is turned on she’s running to the door. Allow your dog the reprieve and let them outside (or in another room with the door shut) while you vacuum.
Believe it or not, my dog’s fear of the vacuum has lessened so much that we can actually brush her with the attachments now (we have a Kirby dog brush attachment with our vacuum). When the hose is on, our dog will actually come over and beg for a brushing, which is a huge difference from how she normally is.
All it takes is a little patience and understanding, and you can have your dog fear the vacuum far less, which makes you and your dog much happier when it comes to cleaning house!