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.