fear of vacuum

[Canis-Lupess]

As ours always lived outdoors, we never had this issue but, being Border collies, they had that common BC habit of attacking things like lawn mowers, motorbikes or scooters if they are still for long enough. They wouldn't chase one but lawn mowers are slower so they'll attack those anytime they come into contact with one. It's something about small engines that sets them off. When people start bikes up, they really gets them going.

Now that Jess comes into the porch which is enclosed and carpeted and gets hoovered, we realised that she is also a hoover biter. I have to close her out of her lawn area when I mow it because she goes for the lawn mower really bad and she also has a go at the hoover now she comes inside so fear isn't an issue with ours. It's more them trying to grab the damned thing as you are pushing it backwards and forwards.

I don't think it's a big issue if the dog just goes and hides whilst the hoovering is being done. At least they are out of your way. Better than dogs like ours who want to keep trying to pick it up off the floor and going for it and getting in the way.
Maybe just let the dog hide and don't worry too much about it.

[Taz_Zoee]

I don't see anything wrong with him going to hide. Both Zoee and Taz just leave the room while I am vacuuming.
But if you want him to get used to it, maybe you could try the same thing you did when hubby started the bike. Have Chopper on leash standing next to you. Have someone start the vacuum and just stand there. It may be past this point now, but it's just a thought.

When he goes and hides does it take a long time for him to come out? And is he shaking? If no to both of these, maybe just don't worry about it.

[WELOVESPUPPIES]

Thanks guys. I don't mind that he hides from the vacuum. I just don't like to see him all nervous. He puts his ears down, tucks his tail and speeds off to find a safe place. I just figured he would be less stressed if I could get him to see that it wasn't going to hurt him.

Usually after the vacuum has been run he stays hidden for about 10 minutes or so, I guess he is being sure it has been put away before he comes out and not just being moved to another room for more vacuuming. He shakes a little sometimes, but it is more that you can see it in his posture and his face that he is scared.

I thought about the leash thing but then I don't want to make the problem worse either. Maybe I will try the treats near the vacuum for awhile with it off and then when I work my way up to turning the vacuum on around him when he is more comfortable with it with his leash on. I will most likely let me son or hubby turn the vacuum on while I am in the next room and work my way closer, without scarring him of course(over a period of a few vacuuming sessions) and if it seems to much I will just let him be and let him find his own safe haven until the monster has been put away.

[buttercup132]

If you dont want him to be stressed maybe take him to a room that you won't be vaccuming.

Also since he's so small maybeyou could hold him in your arms while you vaccum or while the vaccum is on and give him treats.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

I am sure he will get used to it in time. Archie is the other way - he loves to play with it! A great help

[Genny]

I have 3 inside dogs and all 3 act different when I have the vaccuum out. Our poodle tries to bite it when it's on and chases it so we have to close her up in a room or let her out while we vaccuum. Our maltese pays no attention to it and just acts natural when it's on. Adrian our new puppy (shihtzu mix) is terrified though! so I just ask somebody to hold her or put her in a room on the bed and that way she feels safe. I don't know if she'll ever overcome her fears, but if she doesn't I'll always be there to carry her to another room where she will feel safe

[Genny]

[color=navy]
Also since he's so small maybeyou could hold him in your arms while you vaccum .

I do that sometime w/ my maltese)

[Lady's Human]

Vaccums EAT puppies, didn't you know that?

Gracie, our dog when I was growing up, never got over vaccum cleaners. She'd bark at it, lunge at it.........did it her whole life. Sometimes it just is what it is.

It really doesn't help that vaccums scream in the high ranges (out of human hearing) and they probably make them uncomfortable.

[Ginger's Mom]

I just considered it a great success when Ginger stopped running in the corner of the bedroom and pooping whenever I ran the vacuum. Now she just runs and hides in the bedroom. I thought that was a big enough accomplishment.